Explosives precursors and poisons licence applications: how to get documents countersigned
Updated 17 December 2021
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This publication is available at https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/explosives-precursors-licence-applications-countersignatory/explosives-precursors-and-poisons-licence-applications-how-to-get-documents-countersigned
1. The role of the countersignatory
The role of the countersignatory for applicants over 18 is to verify the true likeness of the applicant’s identity and that all supporting documents are a true copy of the original. The countersignatory is not endorsing whether it is appropriate for the applicant to have an explosives precursors and poisons (EPP) licence.
The role of the countersignatory (legal guardian) for applicants under 18 is to verify the true likeness of the applicant’s identity and that all supporting documents are a true copy of the original, provided these are in the applicant’s name. The documents will need to be countersigned by somebody fulfilling the criteria described in the next section if the proof of residence is not in the applicant’s name.
The legal guardian will be endorsing whether it is appropriate for the under 18 year old to have an EPP licence. This responsibility is defined under the Children Act 1989.
2. Who can countersign a document
2.1 Occupations
To countersign documents, ask a professional person or someone well-respected in your community (of good standing) such as:
- accountant
- airline pilot
- articled clerk of a limited company
- assurance agent of recognised company
- bank/building society official
- barrister
- chairman/director of limited company
- chiropodist
- commissioner of oaths
- councillor (eg local or county)
- civil servant (permanent)
- dentist
- director/manager of a VAT-registered charity
- director/manager/personnel officer of a VAT-registered company
- engineer - with professional qualifications
- financial services intermediary (eg 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 public house
- local government officer
- manager/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 - countersigned paralegal, qualified paralegal or associate member of the institute of paralegals
- person with honours (eg an OBE or MBE)
- pharmacist
- photographer - professional
- police officer
- post office official
- president/secretary of a recognised organisation
- salvation army officer
- social worker
- solicitor
- surveyor
- teacher, lecturer
- trade union officer
- travel agent - qualified
- valuer or auctioneer - fellows and associate members of the incorporated society
- warrant officers and chief petty officers
The occupation of the countersignatory won’t on its own mean your application will be successful. But you should always try to get a countersignatory who has ‘good standing’ in your community.
The countersignatory must be a UK resident and must hold a valid UK passport, UK photo driving licence, EEA passport or Biometric residence permit. The online application will ask you to enter your countersignatories’ form of identity and the identity number of this document.
2.2 Personal relationship
The countersignatory must:
- have known the person applying for at least 2 years
- be able to identify the person applying (eg they’re a friend, neighbour or colleague)
The person you ask shouldn’t be (unless you are under 18 years of age):
- related to you
- living at the same address
- in a relationship with you
If you (the applicant) are under 18 years of age the legal guardian should sign the proof of identity and proof of residence documents provided these are in the under 18 year olds name. The documents will need to be countersigned by somebody fulfilling the criteria described above if the proof of residence is not in the under 18 year olds name.
3. How to countersign a document
Take a photocopy of all original documents and ask your countersignatory to certify all copies by writing “certified as a true copy of the original and a true likeness of [your title and full name] as seen by me” followed by their signature, current date and printing their name under the signature on one form of in date identity document:
- UK passport
- UK photo driving licence
- European Economic Area (EAA) passport
- biometric residence permit
The EPP licence will be valid for a maximum of 3 years. If the documentation provided during the application process is valid for less than 3 years from the date the licence is granted, you will be required to re-apply for a licence once the documentation has expired. This is because for every purchase your identity document must be presented to the supplier alongside the licence and must be valid (in date). If your identity document expires within 3 years you should use another form of proof of identity, or you will have to renew your licence earlier.
The countersignatory should also write “certified to be a true copy of the original as seen by me” on one document from list A and one from list B for proof of residence (both of these must be dated within the last 3 months) followed by their signature, current date and printing their name under the signature:
| List A | List B |
|---|---|
| bank statement | credit card statement |
| mortgage statement | rental agreement (current) |
| building society statement | gas or electric bill |
| water bill | |
| cable and satellite bill | |
| tax bill | |
| mobile phone bill | |
| telecoms bill |
Applicants under 18 years of age will be required to provide a document showing legal guardianship which can include:
- full birth certificate (or equivalent)
- adoption certificate (or equivalent)
- guardianship agreement (or equivalent)
- parental responsibility agreement (or equivalent)
This will need to be countersigned by somebody fulfilling the criteria described in ‘who can countersign a document’.
Countersigned documents will need to be scanned and ready to upload. You will not be able to upload scanned documents that are larger than 4.7MB.