Countersignatory's passport expired

[ilr84]

Hi,

My wife has got the naturalization certificate now applying for the first british passport we have a neighbour who is a teacher but her british passport has expired can she still countersign the photos and form ? Or does she has to have a valid british passport?

Thanks.

[Tea_Rocket]

Unfortunately you will either have to wait until she renews her passport or find someone else, as per the HMPO booklet:

The countersignatory must:

• be a professional person (including those who are retired) for example, bank or building-soicety officials, police officers, civil servants, minister of religion and people with professional qualifications like teachers, accountants, engineers, and solicitors. You can find more information at link
• have known you personally for at least two years (for example, a friend, neighbour, or colleague, not someone who knows you professionally)
• live in the UK, and
• hold a British or Irish passport which has not run out.