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Child born outside UK, applying for British passport from India - countersign query
Posted: Wed Sep 03, 2025 6:06 am
by Mohan321
Hi,
We have had our child born in India and currently preparing application to apply for her British passport from India. The guidance around countersign states that the person must live in the UK and be a British citizen. But we are currently in India. How do we do this?
Re: Child born outside UK, applying for British passport from India - countersign query
Posted: Wed Sep 03, 2025 6:58 am
by contorted_svy
Who can be a referee for a customer applying from overseas
A referee for a customer who applies from overseas, must:
live in the UK or overseas (this does not need to be the same country as the customer)
pass our automatic identity checks (if they are a digital referee)
complete the 1 page form (if they are a paper referee (1 page form))
complete section 10 of the OS form (if they are a paper referee (countersignature))
They must hold (in order of preference), a current and valid (unexpired and uncancelled):
British passport recorded on our electronic passport records (this includes any variant type passport or British nationality)
Irish passport
European Union passport
United States passport
Commonwealth passport
If you know someone who is British you can get them to sign the form digitally. If you can't, follow the list of preferences from the guidance I shared above. Referee must not live in the UK.
Re: Child born outside UK, applying for British passport from India - countersign query
Posted: Wed Sep 03, 2025 7:23 am
by Mohan321
Thanks, there is also a requirement for a referee to sign the photograph. How would I be able to do that digitally? Apparently, there is only a paper form to apply for a child first passport overseas. Please suggest
Re: Child born outside UK, applying for British passport from India - countersign query
Posted: Wed Sep 03, 2025 1:54 pm
by contorted_svy
I don't think you need to send that. Review here
https://www.gov.uk/get-a-child-passport ... d-passport
Ask someone to confirm your child’s identity
After you’ve paid and submitted the application, you’ll need to ask someone to confirm your child’s identity.
Let the person know that they’ll receive an email from HM Passport Office telling them what to do. They’ll confirm your child’s identity online - they do not need to sign a printed photo.
Find out who can confirm your child’s identity and what they need to do.
Re: Child born outside UK, applying for British passport from India - countersign query
Posted: Wed Sep 03, 2025 2:00 pm
by secret.simon
In any case, be aware that first British passports for children born in the Subcontinent made from the Subcontinent can take six months to a year. So plan for that.