Question about obtaining British passport
The UK gov asks for someone whom you have known for two years that currently lives in the UK to verify your identity to receive a passport. What if I haven’t actually known the person for two full years? Is there any way they can check that or can I lie and say I’ve known this person for two years? I haven’t known anyone currently living in the UK for two years as of right now.
Posted Jul 13, 2019, 6:24 AM UTC
11
Do not lie on your passport application or ask your counter-signatory to lie.
If you do not live in the UK, your countersignatory does not need to have a British passport. They could instead have a passport from Ireland, any EU country, the US, or any Commonwealth country, and be a member of one of the professions.
https://www.gov.uk/countersigning-passport-applications
https://www.gov.uk/countersigning-passport-applications/accepted-occupations-for-countersignatories
If you still cannot locate a countersignatory, and the passport is a renewal:
https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/118585/countersignatories.pdf
But call HMPO in advance (in the UK) or the nearest British consulate (if outside the UK), to tell them about the situation.