What does 'countersigned' mean?

Dear Mr Bassie,

I am a British citizen and I have been told that when applying to renew one's passport, it may be necessary for me to have my application for renewal countersigned. Please explain what is meant by this.

- KW

Dear KW,

There are occasions when some passport applications and photographs will need to be signed also by someone else. This person is referred to as the 'countersignatory'. This person has to prove the identity of the person making the application. The countersignatory may need to sign the applicant's application and photograph. Only certain persons can sign in this capacity.

The instances when a person will need someone else to sign his/her form and photograph are if he/she is applying for a first adult or child passport; a replacement for a lost, stolen or damaged passport; a renewal of a passport for a child aged 11 or under; or a renewal of a passport if the applicant's appearance has changed and he/she can't be recognised from that person's existing passport.

Personal relationship

With respect to who can sign the application forms and photos, the person should have a personal relationship with the applicant. That is, the counter-signatory must also have known the person applying for a passport for at least two years and be able to identify the person applying. That is, can the applicant be categorised as a friend, neighbour or colleague, not just someone who knows the applicant professionally. The applicant and countersignatory cannot be closely related or involved either by birth or marriage; and he or she should not be in a relationship or live at the same address as the person making the application.

It should be noted that if a person is applying while in the United Kingdom (UK), the countersignatory must also live in the UK and possess a current British or Irish passport. Also, if the person is applying from outside the UK, the countersignatory must have a current British, Irish or other EU, US or Commonwealth passport. However, the application will be processed more quickly if the counter-signatory has a British or Irish passport.

When the countersigantory holds a US, Commonwealth or EU, that is not British or Irish passport, that person must provide a colour photocopy of the page with their photograph on it. This must be included with the countersigned application.

With respect to occupations the countersignatories must work in or be retired from a recognised profession or be 'a person of good standing in their community', for example an accountant, lawyer or a chairman/director of a limited company, to name a few. It is important that the applicant recognises that his/her countersignatory's occupation will not, on its own, mean his/her application will be successful. However, he/she should always try to get a countersignatory who has 'good standing' in his/her community. You should be aware that Her Majesty's Passport Office may contact the countersignatory for more information. If that person is not available, the application may be delayed. Just for completeness, it should be noted that anyone who works for Her Majesty's Passport Office cannot be countersignatories.

Check details

After the applicant has completed the application form, he/she must ask his/her counter-signatory to check that the details on the form are correct and sign it. By doing this, the countersignatory is confirming that he/she has known the applicant for more than two years; is who he/she claims to be; and as far as can be seen, all the information put on the form is true. Please note that if the form is for a child passport, the countersignatory should know the person who signs the declaration rather than the child. In addition, the countersignatory must also provide their British or Irish passport number as Her Majesty's Passport Office may check their identity.

With respect to the photograph, the countersignatory should write the following on the back of one photograph:

'I certify that this is a true likeness of [title and full name]'

The countersignatory must add his/her signature and the date below this statement.

With respect to child passport photographs the countersignatory must know the person with parental responsibility who's signing the application form and be able to identify the child.

John S. Bassie is a barrister/attorney-at-law who practises law in Jamaica. He is a justice of the peace, a Supreme Court-appointed mediator, a fellow of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators, a chartered arbitrator, and a member of the Immigration Law Practitioners Association (U.K.). Email:lawbassie@yahoo.com