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Countersigning passport/driving licence photos

  • Member PM.Dip
  • Practice Licence
  • 34 posts
  • # 109945

For future reference I was wondering as a Certified Bookkeeper can you sign back of photos for passports and drivers licences for people, not as an Accountant but under the heading member, associate or fellow of a professional body.

 

Many thanks for replying 

  • Fellow
  • 64 posts
  • # 110150

That's a question best asked directly to ICB headquarters, they can advise on the legal status of this, it seems a very grey area

 

  • 141 posts
  • # 110158

As a Managing Director of a Limited Company I have countersigned passport photos for a friend and their passport has been issued without any problems.  I am not too sure what the status is if you are a sole trader though.  Normally your local post office will be able to tell you as they do the 'Check & Send' service for the passport office.

  • 42 posts
  • # 110163

Hey All,

I have posted this before... would be nice to have a search field in the forums I guess :)

Based upon the following document I see no reason why somebody who has Associate, Member or Fellow status wouldn't be able to countersign

https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/118585/countersignatories.pdf

A person deemed qualified to countersign a passport application may be either:
• a Member of Parliament, Justice of the Peace, Minister of Religion, a professionally qualified person (e.g. doctor, engineer, lawyer, teacher), local councillor, bank officer, established civil servant, Police Officer; or,
• a person of similar standing (see sections 3.1 and 3.2 below); and,
•who has personally known the applicant for at least two years; and,
•not a relative of the applicant (this includes partners, in-laws, and step-parents). Definition of "partner", if evident from the application form, is a partnership or relationship that is akin to marriage.
•The countersignatory must hold a current British, or Irish, passport.
•Members of staff should not sign applications

While there is no qualification for a "person of similar standing" this may be interpreted in the widest sense, but it must always be borne in mind that a countersignature should normally be someone who:
•has qualifications that can be checked; and,
•it is believed will not risk a career or reputation by knowingly making an untrue statement in completing the countersigning section of an application form.

I hope it helps,

Reedy

  • Fellow PM.Dip
  • Practice Licence
  • 400 posts
  • # 110165

Hi Reedy

 

There is a custom search at the top of the page although not for just the forum.  A search on 'countersign' brings up three items of which one was your response in May.  Sometimes its knowing what to put in as a seach reference to narrow it down.

 

Regards

 

Liz

  • 42 posts
  • # 110168

Thank you Liz :)

Yeah I usually use google and start it with bookkeepers.org.uk then what I want if I want to find something on ICB forum.. I meant for others but I totally appreciate your response!

thx again,

 

Reedy

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