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Overseas Passport Application- confirm identity

Posted: Thu May 14, 2020 9:52 pm
by Mystreef
I am a UK citizen by birth, but have not lived there for over 50years. I am looking to apply online for my first UK passport from America, where I reside (dual citizenship).
I am getting stopped by the requirement to confirm my identity. Basically, I don’t know anyone in the UK to confirm my identity, and don’t see any other options.
Any suggestions?

Re: Overseas Passport Application- confirm identity

Posted: Fri May 15, 2020 7:22 am
by secret.simon
Mystreef wrote:
Thu May 14, 2020 9:52 pm
Basically, I don’t know anyone in the UK to confirm my identity, and don’t see any other options.
Your counter-signatory does not need to be in the UK.

See Pages 13 and 14 of the Overseas Passport Guidance.
The countersignatory must:
Ÿ have known you personally for at least 2 years (for example, a friend, neighbour or colleague, and not someone who is related to you or only knows you professionally)
Ÿ be a professional person (please see occupations for countersignatories on page 14)
Ÿ hold a British, Irish, EU, US or Commonwealth passport which has not run out
Ÿ send us a colour photocopy of their passport details page
It has been suggested that overseas passport applications with a non-British non-Irish counter-signatory take longer to process, but that you will get the passport eventually.