rikyuu Posted July 8, 2014 Share Posted July 8, 2014 hi all, We were hoping someone could advise please; were in Australia and have to renew our children's UK passports for a trip back to the UK later this year. This is now done partly online and then the forms printed to be completed and sent to the UK with the old passports. One thing we're stuck on however is the counter signatories, which are required for children. It has to be someone in Australia, with a British passport, who is professional and has known us personally for 2 years. The passport office can check up and there are heavy penalties for lying. Well, we just don't know anyone like that. I know 1 British person who I met twice and drives a truck. Has anyone else had this problem? Are we the only people without close, professional British friends? What happens if you've only been here 18 months, it would not be possible to have known someone here for 2 years! Any advice would be most welcome. Thanks! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LKC Posted July 8, 2014 Share Posted July 8, 2014 I think they can hold a commonwealth passport (Australian). I found some info here https://www.gov.uk/countersigning-passport-applications. ETA: Sorry, forgot to say that I think that if you haven't known someone for two years you need to get a policeman or JP or someone like that to sign. Can't remember where I saw that, but will have a look and see if I can find it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marisawright Posted July 8, 2014 Share Posted July 8, 2014 were in Australia and have to renew our children's UK passports for a trip back to the UK later this year. This is now done partly online and then the forms printed to be completed and sent to the UK with the old passports. One thing we're stuck on however is the counter signatories, which are required for children. It has to be someone in Australia, with a British passport, who is professional and has known us personally for 2 years. The passport office can check up and there are heavy penalties for lying. Well, we just don't know anyone like that. I know 1 British person who I met twice and drives a truck. Any advice would be most welcome. Thanks They don't have to be British. They prefer British but if that's not available, a Commonwealth passport holder is fine. The link LKC gave you shows you which occupations are suitable. Your doctor is usually a good bet. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rikyuu Posted July 8, 2014 Author Share Posted July 8, 2014 phew, thank you so much for that information. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alaska Posted July 9, 2014 Share Posted July 9, 2014 We didn't have anyone who had known us for 2 years here, we had been here 15 months roughly. A teacher signed it and I explained on the form the situation and it was accepted fine. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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