Question about appearance change for passport renewal
I'm from the UK. I have a question regarding appearance change for a passport renewal. A UK government page says
You must get your paper form and one of your 2 print photos signed if you’re applying for ... a renewal of a passport if your appearance has changed and you cannot be recognised from your existing passport
Does this mean a countersignature will be required if my appearance has changed naturally? I'm quite concerned here, I am 18 and I had my passport counter signed when I was young, like 14 or 15. My appearance has changed (I haven't had surgeries) and I would say I'm fifty to fifty recognisable and unrecognisable compared to my old Picture.
So will I need a countersignature?
Best Answer
The uk.gov page you cite says a countersignature is required "...if your appearance has changed and you cannot be recognised from your existing passport."
This is your application. You must examine the older and the newer photos and your current appearance, and make a decision about how to proceed:
If you think you're still recognizable as the same person as in your previous passport's photo, then submit the new photo without a countersignature.
On the other hand, if you think (or know) you might not be recognisable as the same person, then you should obtain a countersignature.
You might show the photos to someone you trust and ask their opinion. The safe choice is get a countersignature, but this is more trouble than not getting a countersignature. Having no countersignature, however, risks having your application rejected. You should consider how risk-tolerant or intolerant you are, and how quickly you need the passport...having your application rejected will require a reapplication, and increase the time before you have a new passport.
You're signing the application, and you must choose how to proceed.
EDIT 12-28-2021: As phoog correctly points out in comments, the UK page also states that a countersignature is required for an applicant's "first adult passport." Because the OP is now 18, this is their "first adult passport," and therefore for this application a countersignature is required.
Pictures about "Question about appearance change for passport renewal"
What happens if you look different in your passport?
U.S. passport regulations about changes in appearance. There are no official rules as to what personal changes require retaking a passport photo and changing your passport. If you grow out or color your hair, or gain or lose weight, you might still look the same as you did when your passport was first issued.Do I need to update my passport if I go bald?
Yes. You will need to report the changes to the passport office, which is likely to advise a new photograph is required.Can you wear makeup in a passport photo Philippines?
Image can be rejected for the following reasons: Women \u2013 excessive makeup, large earrings. Men \u2013 wearing makeup, earrings. Colored contact lenses that disguise the natural color of the applicant's eyes. Clear contact lenses however, are allowed.What should I wear for Philippine passport photo?
Guidelines during passport photo capture: To ensure entry to countries with strict dress codes, all applicants are required to wear decent clothing for passport photo capture. Plunging necklines, sleeveless clothing, spaghetti strapped tops, see-through tops, sando, tube tops, halters and the like are prohibited.Five Mistakes NOT to Make at your Immigration Interview
Sources: Stack Exchange - This article follows the attribution requirements of Stack Exchange and is licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0.
Images: Anete Lusina, Ketut Subiyanto, Andres Ayrton, Mary Taylor