Passport Application form?!?

[snoopy104]

I've never been abroad before, The only country i've been to other than England is Wales, which is only about 40 miles away (WHOOPEEE!), I haven't taken a week off work/college/uni in over 5 years. The main reason was that I never got round to getting a passport and would rather work for the money.

As kids, we never really went on holiday other than a few camping trips to Wales. My parents wouldn't pay good money to go on some package holiday full of loud mouth knob-head chavs and scousers to some grotty anglo-spanish or greek resort.

Anyway, I got my passport application form through but I am still unable to fill it in because I haven't anyone to fill it in as a referee (A professional who has known me for 2 years or more and is not related):

Doctor: Not been in over 3 years, my old doctor has retired now. don't know who my new one is?!?

Dentist: Don't have a dentist, not needed to go for anything since I was in school. Brush my teeth twice a day and don't eat too much sugary food.

Teachers: Don't think they'd remember me after all this time (I was one of the quiet ones). Some of them have retired now too!

College: Again, A long time ago... The only lecturers left are the miserable gits.

University: All the lecturers who knew me presonally were foreign. Commuted to uni, so never socialized/stayed in touch with anyone.

Friends: All students, or working in deadbeat jobs.

Parents friends: My Antie and Uncle, but of course, they are related, so they don't count. Parents not big socializers.

Friends parents: don't know any of them.

Parents bosses: don't know any of them.

Lawyers etc: Never needed one, so I don't know any.

Police: One friend is in the police, but I've lost touch. No idea where he is living, not spoken to him for about 8 years. Don't have a criminal record, never been caught speeding, never had a parking fine.

Bosses at work (Part-time): Not professional enough.

Bosses at work (Full-time): Only been there for a couple of weeks, haven't known them for 2 years or more yet.

Bank/Insurance: Do most of my banking/Insurance online, Barclays is fairly big and anonymous anyway.


Aaaarghhhh! Surely there is some other way to proove i'm not an illegal immigrant?? Can't they check my Bank records, DVLA records, Department of Education, Insurance companies, National Insurance, Tax Office, Birth doccuments, Medical records etc... This is CRAZY!!!

Any ideas?

[LuS1fer]

Find someone who'll lie.

[up-the-dubs]

You need to get out more mate . And you don't need a passport for Ireland .

although it ain't that sunny, is it!

edit: You've been a member here for 45 months, ask ted!

>> Edited by up-the-dubs on Monday 3rd October 09:30

[thrush]

I heard its changed and anyone with a recognised high level qualification, Bsc Phd etc, can sign it. could be wrong though

[r988]

In Australia it can be anyone not related to you who you've known for more than 2 years, I just got a friend to sign mine.

Why not just get a forged one

[BliarOut]

Know any nurses? They'll do IIRC.

Leave it Vixpy!

[dcb]

snoopy104 said:

Anyway, I got my passport application form through but I am still unable to fill it in because I haven't anyone to fill it in as a referee (A professional who has known me for 2 years or more and is not related):

The rules really are archaic.

I remember similar fun & games when I left UK for the first time.

I couldn't possibly suggest to you that some creativity is required - possibly the definition of professional could be stretched ?

snoopy104 said:

Doctor: Not been in over 3 years, my old doctor has retired now. don't know who my new one is?!?

You could go find out.

snoopy104 said:

Friends: All students, or working in deadbeat jobs.

I bet more than one is a professional.

snoopy104 said:

Friends parents: don't know any of them. Bosses at work (Part-time): Not professional enough. Bosses at work (Full-time): Only been there for a couple of weeks, haven't known them for 2 years or more yet.

Ask them. You don't know if you don't try.

[flemke]

Do you really think that some bureaucrat is going to investigate your referee's bona fides?
You could write down the name of your neighbour's Jack Russell and it would sail through.

[Einion Yrth]

flemke said:

Do you really think that some bureaucrat is going to investigate your referee's bona fides? You could write down the name of your neighbour's Jack Russell and it would sail through.

The pawprint certifying the photo to be a true and accurate likeness might be a giveaway though. Seriously, anyone who isn't a serial killer will do - self employed people are good 'cause they can reasonably claim 'company director' which looks good, and, as flemke notes, nobody's going to check anyway.

[Irish]

flemke said:

Do you really think that some bureaucrat is going to investigate your referee's bona fides? You could write down the name of your neighbour's Jack Russell and it would sail through.

I have witnessed a couple of passport applications (as a solicitor) in the UK (admittedly for an Irish passport via the embassy) and always get a call to prove my legitimacy!

[flossythepig]

Theoretically you can travel anywhere in the EU without a passport. You do need a photo ID (i.e. a driving licence).

Hugh

[Einion Yrth]

flossythepig said:

Theoretically you can travel anywhere in the EU without a passport. You do need a photo ID (i.e. a driving licence). Hugh

But in practice they won't even let you get on a 'plane without a passport.

[Liszt]

Have done a few for friends as I was a company director and they did mine. I think between a group of 8 of us we have only been called once.
Went along the lines of:
Passport Agency: Do you know Mr Smith
Mate: Yes
PA: Did you sign their passport application
Mate: Yes
PA: Thanks, byeeee.

[Chim Girl]

Irish said:

I have witnessed a couple of passport applications .. and always get a call to prove my legitimacy!

Ditto, and when I had my last passport issued (Feb 04) they called the person who had countersigned for me.