Finding it imposible to get an Irish Passport countersigned in the UK (2024)

We'd like to remind Forumites to please avoid political debate on the Forum. This is to keep it a safe and useful space for MoneySaving discussions. Threads that are - or become - political in nature may be removed in line with the Forum’s rules. Thank you for your understanding.

dibdob321 Posts: 9 Forumite

16 January 2020 at 10:06AM in

Hello all
Not really a money question but as a large forum I thought I would post this.

I am a UK resident and just like the million people who applied for Irish passports last year I am also entitled to get one.

I completed my application over 6 months ago but since then have found it impossible to get it countersigned because of the tight rules they have.

The countersigner does not need to know the person, all they are doing is verifying identity.

The stumbling block is that the person signing needs a official stamp (or business card or last resort headed paper) but the more difficult bit is they need a land line number where they can be contacted during the hours of 9 - 5.

My best friend is a engineer so fits into the list of jobs however just like me he hasn't had a landline for well over 10 years.

I have spoken to my doctor who doesn't sign applications anymore and have emailed over 30 solicitors as I am more than happy to pay for it.

Has anyone else had this issue and found a way round it ?

Thanks
Jon

«12»

3secondmemory Posts: 1,484 Forumite

16 January 2020 at 10:42AM

Is it too late to apply?
EssexExile Posts: 6,292 Forumite

16 January 2020 at 10:44AM

I would phone a solicitor, I had no problem getting papers signed, for a fee.
See Also
Sainsbury's Irish Cream Liqueur, Taste The Difference 1Ltr - ONLY £9 M & S furniture outlet Slimming in to Spring - Slimming World Support Thr - Page 26 Zing £30 offer - Page 3

Tall, dark & handsome. Well two out of three ain't bad.
bertiewhite Posts: 1,904 Forumite

16 January 2020 at 10:53AM

Double post
dibdob321 Posts: 9 Forumite

16 January 2020 at 12:21PM

3secondmemory wrote: »
Is it too late to apply?
No time limit on applying for a passport, if you are entitled to one then you are entitled to one.
3secondmemory Posts: 1,484 Forumite

16 January 2020 at 4:31PM

dibdob321 wrote: »
No time limit on applying for a passport, if you are entitled to one then you are entitled to one.
I’m a UK passport holder:( with no ties to Ireland) Can I still apply for dual citizenship and keep my rights as a EU citizen?
eDicky Posts: 6,780 Forumite

16 January 2020 at 4:53PM

dibdob321 wrote: »
have emailed over 30 solicitors as I am more than happy to pay for it.
And what do they say..?
3secondmemory wrote: »
I’m a UK passport holder:( with no ties to Ireland) Can I still apply for dual citizenship and keep my rights as a EU citizen?
With no ties, such as Irish greatgrandparents, you have no claim to Irish nationality and passport and if you have no such claim to nationality of any other EU country you will unfortunately lose your EU citizenship in a couple of weeks.

Evolution, not revolution
Mistral001 Posts: 5,389 Forumite

16 January 2020 at 4:57PM

Dentist maybe? Mine countersigns documents for me.
3secondmemory Posts: 1,484 Forumite

16 January 2020 at 5:18PM

eDicky wrote: »
And what do they say..?
With no ties, such as Irish greatgrandparents, you have no claim to Irish nationality and passport and if you have no such claim to nationality of any other EU country you will unfortunately lose your EU citizenship in a couple of weeks.
Sad day - if I were able to pick a country to live in, it wouldn’t be this one.
smudge56 Posts: 666 Forumite

16 January 2020 at 11:03PM

dibdob321 wrote: »
Hello all
Not really a money question but as a large forum I thought I would post this.
I am a UK resident and just like the million people who applied for Irish passports last year I am also entitled to get one.
I completed my application over 6 months ago but since then have found it impossible to get it countersigned because of the tight rules they have.
The countersigner does not need to know the person, all they are doing is verifying identity.
The stumbling block is that the person signing needs a official stamp (or business card or last resort headed paper) but the more difficult bit is they need a land line number where they can be contacted during the hours of 9 - 5.
My best friend is a engineer so fits into the list of jobs however just like me he hasn't had a landline for well over 10 years.
I have spoken to my doctor who doesn't sign applications anymore and have emailed over 30 solicitors as I am more than happy to pay for it.
Has anyone else had this issue and found a way round it ?
Thanks
Jon
The list of people who can witness your application is :
Members of the police
Medical doctor
A member of the clergy
Lawyer/Solicitor
School principal/vice principal
Bank manager/assistant bank manager
Justice of the Peace
Elected public representative
Notary public/ commissioner for oaths
Peace commissioner
Accountant
Teacher
Lecturer
Vet
Dentist
Nurse
Speech Therapist
Physiotherapist
Pharmacist
Post Master
Chartered Engineer
Social Worker
Credit Union manager
NoodleDoodleMan Posts: 3,824 Forumite

17 January 2020 at 10:31AM

That list is fine in theory, however quite a lot that'll be difficult to contact during their working day.
Incidentally, what is a Peace Commissioner ?

«12»

This discussion has been closed.