Confirm someone’s identity online for a passport application
Who can confirm someone’s identity
You’ll get an email from HM Passport Office if someone applying for a passport has asked you to confirm their identity.
You need to follow a different process if you’ve been asked to sign printed photos (called ‘countersigning’).
You can only confirm someone’s identity if you:
- are 18 or over
- live in the UK
- have a current UK passport
- have known the person applying for at least 2 years (this is the adult making the application if the passport is for a child under 16)
- know the person applying as a friend, neighbour or colleague (not just someone who knows you professionally)
You must work in (or be retired from) a ‘recognised profession’. For example:
- accountant
- airline pilot
- articled clerk of a limited company
- assurance agent of recognised company
- bank or building society official
- barrister
- chairman or director of a limited company
- chiropodist
- commissioner for oaths
- councillor, for example local or county
- civil servant (permanent)
- dentist
- director, manager or personnel officer of a VAT-registered company
- engineer with professional qualifications
- financial services intermediary, for example a stockbroker or insurance broker
- fire service official
- funeral director
- insurance agent (full time) of a recognised company
- journalist
- Justice of the Peace
- legal secretary (fellow or associate member of the Institute of Legal Secretaries and PAs)
- licensee of a public house
- local government officer
- manager or personnel officer of a limited company
- member, associate or fellow of a professional body
- Member of Parliament
- Merchant Navy officer
- minister of a recognised religion (including Christian Science)
- nurse (RGN or RMN)
- officer of the armed services
- optician
- paralegal (certified paralegal, qualified paralegal or associate member of the Institute of Paralegals)
- person with honours, for example an OBE or MBE
- pharmacist
- photographer (professional)
- police officer
- Post Office official
- president or secretary of a recognised organisation
- Salvation Army officer
- social worker
- solicitor
- surveyor
- teacher or lecturer
- trade union officer
- travel agent (qualified)
- valuer or auctioneer (fellow or associate members of the incorporated society)
- Warrant Officers and Chief Petty Officers
Who cannot confirm someone’s identity
You cannot confirm someone’s identity if:
- you’re related by birth or marriage
- you’re in a relationship with them or live together
- you work for HM Passport Office
- you work for UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) on British citizenship or right of abode applications
- you’re a doctor - unless you know the person who has asked you well (for example, you’re a good friend)