Una de las razones que se ha ido atrasando el pasaporte de la nena es esto:
Who can countersign your application?
Once you have completed and signed the application form, you need to ask someone to fill in and countersign section 10. This person is your countersignatory. They should certify your photo if necessary. Find out who you can ask to do this by checking the list of suitable professions.
Do you need to get your application countersigned?
You need to get your application countersigned if you are applying:
* for a first passport
* to replace a lost stolen or damaged passport
* to renew a passport for a child aged 11 or under
* to renew a passport when your appearance has changed so much that it would be hard to recognise you from the photo in your last or current passport
What the countersignatory has to do
Your countersignatory must sign the form at section 10 to confirm that:
* they have known you for more than two years
* you are who you claim to be
If the form is for a child passport, the countersignatory should know the person who signs the declaration at section 9 rather than the child.
The application form asks the countersignatory to enter their current British passport number (Irish passport numbers are also acceptable). This is so the Identity and Passport Service (IPS) can check their identity.
You should give the countersignatory:
* your completed application form (signed and dated at section 9)
* photographs
* documents
* fee
* envelope
That way they can seal the application after completing section 10.
Getting your photos certified
Your countersignatory should also certify one of your photos if the application is for a:
* first passport
* replacement passport
* passport renewal and you look very different from the photo in your most recent passport
They do this by writing on the back as follows:
* ‘I certify that this is a true likeness of [Mr, Mrs, Miss, Ms or other title followed by your full name]’
They must then sign and date the statement. It is not enough just to sign and date the photograph.
Who you can ask to be your countersignatory
Your countersignatory should:
* have known you for at least two years
* live in the UK
Your countersignatory should not:
* be related to you by birth or marriage
* be in a personal relationship with you
* live at the same address as you
* work for the Identity and Passport Service
Your countersignatory should be a professional person or a person of good standing in the community. If you are not sure who to ask, call the IPS Passport Adviceline on 0300 222 0000.
These are examples of the type of person that would be suitable:
* accountant
* airline pilot
* articled clerk of a limited company
* assurance agent of recognised company
* bank/building society official
* barrister
* chairman/director of limited company
* chiropodist
* commissioner of oaths
* councillor (local or county)
* civil servant (permanent), but not someone who works for IPS
* dentist
* director/manager of a VAT-registered charity
* director/manager/personnel officer of a VAT-registered company
* engineer (with professional qualifications)
* financial services intermediary (eg a stockbroker or insurance broker)
* fire service official
* funeral director
* insurance agent (full time) of a recognised company
* journalist
* Justice of the Peace
* legal secretary (fellow or associate member of the Institute of Legal Secretaries and PAs)
* licensee of public house
* local government officer
* manager/personnel officer (of a limited company)
* member, associate or fellow of a professional body
* Member of Parliament
* Merchant Navy officer
* minister of a recognised religion (including Christian Science)
* nurse (RGN and RMN)
* officer of the armed services (active or retired)
* optician
* paralegal (certified paralegal, qualified paralegal or associate member of the Institute of Paralegals)
* person with honours (an OBE or MBE, for example)
* pharmacist
* photographer (professional)
* police officer
* Post Office official
* president/secretary of a recognised organisation
* Salvation Army officer
* social worker
* solicitor
* surveyor
* teacher, lecturer
* trade union officer
* travel agent (qualified)
* valuer or auctioneer (fellows and associate members of the incorporated society)
* Warrant Officers and Chief Petty Officers
