CounterSignatory for a newborn baby in India

[RajRajRaj]

Hi Guys,

I am applying for my child's British passport from India, baby was born in India as well.

A question I have is around the countersignatory. My child is born in India and my UK passport holder countersignatory (a friend) is in UK and haven't seen the baby in person, only through photos and skype chat.

Can such a person sign be a countersignatory for the child (1 month old)?

Or is it a requirement that the person should have seen the baby in person? I dont have anyone with a UK passport living in India.
Any input will go a long way.

Thanks,
Raj.

[lynxukauq]

Section 10: Countersignature
• For child applications (aged under 16) it is also to confirm that they have known, for at least two years, the adult who signed the declaration in section 9 of the application form. They must also confirm that the person has parental responsibility for the child and confirm the child’s photo.

[RajRajRaj]

Hi,

I saw that. All they say is that the countersignatory should be able to identify the baby. Well, one can identify the baby if they have seen photos or have seen the baby in skype.

So my question is - whether such a person suffice?

[Kkohli]

Hi there,

I have recently applied for my 6 months old baby british passport. In the form where they ask for counter signatory , they also say they are verifying the identity for the person signing in section 9, not the baby. So the person who is signing must know you and must be british citizen. Also this counter signatory needs to verify the photograph of your baby and write at the back of the photograph as mentioned in the guidelines along with his signature.

I have done these and received my son british passport in couple of weeks. Hope this helps!

[lynxukauq]

So my question is - whether such a person suffice?

Yes as that person will have to certify the photo with the statement on the back stating “I certify that this is a true likeness of [applicant’s full name]"

They will also try to contact the countersignatory to obtain confirmation of the above.

[RajRajRaj]

Hi there,

I have recently applied for my 6 months old baby british passport. In the form where they ask for counter signatory , they also say they are verifying the identity for the person signing in section 9, not the baby. So the person who is signing must know you and must be british citizen. Also this counter signatory needs to verify the photograph of your baby and write at the back of the photograph as mentioned in the guidelines along with his signature.

I have done these and received my son british passport in couple of weeks. Hope this helps!

Hi KKohli,

Did your countersignatory meet the baby in person? Or was it someone whom you have known for a while (say a friend) and he did it? Was he contacted by the High Commission and did they ask whether he has seen the baby?

Any input is much appreciated.

Thanks

[pal123]

Hi

We applied for the child's British passport (From India as child born in India) at the beginning of Feb and they returned the application stating 'Father's British passport' needed. I was in India at the same time so sent them my British passport.

1) I had foreseen something like this could happen and therefore haven't surrendered my Indian passport yet and have been travelling on the Indian passport (happy to pay the fine at the time of surrendering). So even though I have submitted my British passport they would be wondering why can't they see my travel history (as there are no stamps on my British passport). Will that be a problem?

2) Also in section 2 we have given the Indian address as my wife and child are in India at that address. My wife has still got an Indian passport (on spouse visa) and her passport has that address but I am the applying parent (in the Uk at the moment) as my wife has been in the UK for just a year before she feel pregnant and we decided to have our child in India. Therefore she does not know anyone with British passport who knows her for 2 years. Will that be fine? or would they expect the mother to be the applying parent?

3) Can someone who has done this recently also advise in how many days from when the application is sent to New Delhi British embassy can you see the fee charged on your card?

4) I am getting a bit restless and wondering if they send the application back what options do I have? Ie - if I decide that I want to apply for my child's passport once he is with me in the UK. should i go the 'get Indian passport and visa' way? or it's advisable that I keep my patience and get the British passport done?

Thanks