Signing off passport applications etc

[Seany88]

Not something I do or have really done any research on, but does anyone on here do it?

Reason is I overheard a GP receptionist the other day saying that the Dr's don't like to do it anymore because they need to supply their own passport details in the application??

What are the legal aspects regarding it? I know you need to have known the person for a certain length of time, I assume GPs get around it because the client will be one of their patients...so if they are a long-standing customer I should be ok? Any other ideas about it?

Oh and what's the going rate?

[Vipers]

Bank manager will do it for you............... for a price of course.

[JustinP1]

I think it depends on which country you are actually from.

[StevieBee]

Don't think that's the case.

It's just a means to support the applicant by getting someone of "note" to confirm the identity. I've signed a few and have never provided my Passport details.

[mmm-five]

But why should you have to get someone 'professional' to confirm your identity. It's not as if they'll likely to be less dodgy than any other worker.

I think I just used the Post Office service last time as I've not seen my doctor for about 15 years, and last I heard he'd died and the practice had been taken over by 3 others. Don't know how that would help prove my identity ;-)

[Liszt]

StevieBee said:

Don't think that's the case.

It's just a means to support the applicant by getting someone of "note" to confirm the identity. I've signed a few and have never provided my Passport details.

You need to these days.

[Seany88]

Vipers said:

Bank manager will do it for you............... for a price of course.

How much guv?

[therealpigdog]

I've done them for friends, family and colleagues (providing I've known them long enough). I've never been asked by a client, so never considered it - I guess it would depend on how well I knew them - personally I think I'd limit it to people with whom I have regular contact rather than someone I acted for 3+ years ago. I imagine Dr's would be the same.

[Simpo Two]

mmm-five said:

But why should you have to get someone 'professional' to confirm your identity. It's not as if they'll likely to be less dodgy than any other worker.

The idea is that once upon a time they were

I was told a few years ago that my GP would do it but wanted £5, which seemd a bit cheeky. Actually he may have been the one that was struck off later for molesting female patients...

[fat80b]

Simpo Two said:

I was told a few years ago that my GP would do it but wanted £5, which seemd a bit cheeky.

I understand this to be standard practice now as they end up with people coming in just for the signature.
I don't think its that cheeky for them to charge for this service - If anything, I think it is more cheeky of the person doing the asking.....

[ClaphamGT3]

I have done it a few times recently. You do have to provide your own passport details

[FunkyGibbon]

all you need to here:

who can countersign my passport application?

And yes, the counter-signatory has to include their own passport details on teh form.

[Rude-boy]

therealpigdog said:

I've done them for friends, family and colleagues (providing I've known them long enough). I've never been asked by a client, so never considered it - I guess it would depend on how well I knew them - personally I think I'd limit it to people with whom I have regular contact rather than someone I acted for 3+ years ago. I imagine Dr's would be the same.

I'll do it for long standing and good clients who I have ID'ed before and know from sight. Round here they are sensible and don't tend to ask you unless they know youknow them from Adam

[Simpo Two]

fat80b said:

Simpo Two said:

I was told a few years ago that my GP would do it but wanted £5, which seemd a bit cheeky.

I understand this to be standard practice now as they end up with people coming in just for the signature.
I don't think its that cheeky for them to charge for this service - If anything, I think it is more cheeky of the person doing the asking.....

If I was paid £120K pa from the taxpayer I'd be more than happy to put a bit back into the community... how long does it take to sign your name?

[shakotan]

A Director of the company you may work for can countersign your application, it doesn't have to be someone in such authority as a Doctor or Bank Manager

[Simpo Two]

I beleive teachers can do it too, and there are plenty of thse about. Heck, even I've done it!

[Eric Mc]

Do you know that you don't have to be a UK passport holder to sign off an application for someone else's UK passport?

[silverMX]

Docs, Teachers and HM Forces Officers are the ones know of...and doctors charge the cheeky barstewards! Me and OH are thinking of undercutting them and making some cash!

[DocJock]

I only do it for good friends these days.

I don't like having to put down my passport number, but the final straw was having to give an evening phone number, and yes, the cheeky gits do ring up at 20.00 on a Saturday evening.

[Eric Mc]

I can do it as an accountant.