- accidentally clicked someone’s post and then couldn’t shift the box. Yes, complete and sign the form, sign the photo, job done. Takes about 3 minutes.
I remember finding it hilarious when (aged about 18 or so) my friend's boyfriend asked my Dad to validate his passport photo. Dad worked in what was then the Inland Revenue, no professional qualifications, just O levels. It was accepted though, and cost nowt.
Doncaster, South Yorkshire. Soil type: sandy, well-drained
I once had to ID my own mother when I was arranging some investments for her. We both thought that was hilarious. I often used to validate passport photos and mortgage applications for clients.
Was there any check on your signature - were you contacted by the passport office or did you provide any other proof in anyway?
I have no problem with the concept of voter ID cards - but if what you say is how photo validation works, then the ID cards are as pointless as a pointless thing that has gone blunt. That mechanism doesn't appear to have any checks at all to stop fraud does it? How do gov agencies get away with having systems and processes that appear to be so obviously unfit for purpose?
I have no idea if there were background checks on me but, had there been, it would be easy for a government department to have verified I was who I said I was. However as the Passport Office handles over 20,000 passport applications every working day, on average, I am sure they target their checks on applications that raise an eyebrow.
How would an application raise an eyebrow if anyone can sign the form and photo? What would alert anyone that something was wrong? That is not a system - that is luck.
I would be more concerned over a poorly defined ID card system, than having no ID system at all - as the ID system means then you have to fight against it. A bit like the card companies moving from signature to pin. How can you prove that it wasn't you who entered the pin? Similarly, if someone then takes your ID because 'someone' has signed a false photo, how do you prove it wasn't you who used that ID?
Personally to me, bad ID processes are worse than no ID process and what you say seems like a bad process. Surely to have a valid ID process, the base recording of who the person is and the validation of that is paramount.
@KT53 - what about those of us who are hybrids or born in a UK territory or colony? I have always been British and latterly European.
I must be a hybrid as well then.
Being born in the Channel Islands by default your a British citizen. However try signing up to a lot of stuff in the UK and your blocked as your seen as some sort of Expat. I tried to persuade Vanguard UK to allow me to sign up for an index fund, but because I'm not in the UK, don't have a UK social security number or a UK address I cant invest with them or anyone else for that matter. Not just them its now very difficult to get a UK credit card or a bank account due to some new money laundering rules that came in a few years ago.
'The power of accurate observation .... is commonly called cynicism by those that have not got it.
@steveTu, I have been unable to find any information on the behind the scenes workings of the UK Passport Office but I did find a very informative YouTube documentary on the Australian system which I imagine is similar. They undertake 160 checks with information on the applicant held on various official databases. There is also a massive photo database for cross-checking images.
I would guess that if all those checks correlate the Passport Office staff do not need to delve into the background of the person witnessing the photo. If they don’t then further enquiries are surely made. It seemed like a robust system to me with the photo counter signing just a small component of a bigger picture.
In USA passport applications are refused if the person has defaulted on government loans, has not paid child support or a few other financial irregularities.
Posts
- accidentally clicked someone’s post and then couldn’t shift the box. Yes, complete and sign the form, sign the photo, job done. Takes about 3 minutes.
I must be a hybrid as well then.
Being born in the Channel Islands by default your a British citizen. However try signing up to a lot of stuff in the UK and your blocked as your seen as some sort of Expat. I tried to persuade Vanguard UK to allow me to sign up for an index fund, but because I'm not in the UK, don't have a UK social security number or a UK address I cant invest with them or anyone else for that matter. Not just them its now very difficult to get a UK credit card or a bank account due to some new money laundering rules that came in a few years ago.
'The power of accurate observation .... is commonly called cynicism by those that have not got it.
George Bernard Shaw'
Very offensive comment IMO.
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
In USA passport applications are refused if the person has defaulted on government loans, has not paid child support or a few other financial irregularities.