My UK passport will need renewing in the New Year. I want to avoid making two trips to VFS in Bangkok so I intend to use an agent to do the leg work.

My question is, do I need someone to countersign the application and photo? I am getting mixed messages on this. One agent tells me that this is not necessary unless my appearance has changed which it hasn't, but another agent says that as VFS needs to verify that the applicant is really me, I do need a countersignature, Which is correct?

Anyone had a recent experience of doing this?

If your appearance hasn't changed then the answer is no. Don't use the agent that is trying to make things complicated.

14 minutes ago, doctormann said:

My UK passport will need renewing in the New Year. I want to avoid making two trips to VFS in Bangkok so I intend to use an agent to do the leg work.

My question is, do I need someone to countersign the application and photo? I am getting mixed messages on this. One agent tells me that this is not necessary unless my appearance has changed which it hasn't, but another agent says that as VFS needs to verify that the applicant is really me, I do need a countersignature, Which is correct?

Anyone had a recent experience of doing this?

@Upnotover is spot on.

Read the guidelines, they are very clear.

Applying for a passport from outside the UK: guidance notes (accessible) - GOV.UK

A ‘countersignatory’ will need to fill in this section if you are applying:

• for a first British passport

• to replace a lost, stolen or damaged passport

• renew a child passport (if the child is aged 11 or under)

• to renew a passport (adult, or child aged 12 to 15 years) if you cannot be recognised from the photograph in your current passport

• to extend a passport

A countersignatory is someone who can confirm your identity. They need to confirm that, to the best of their knowledge, the details you have given in your application are correct, and they must also confirm that the photo is of you. For child applications (aged under 16) it is also to confirm that they have known, for at least 2 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 is a true likeness.

Umm, two experienced posters above suggesting do it yourself.

I'm Oz so very simple process compared to UK.

Even more so if not located in Bangkok.

Where is your location.

I would use an agent given location.

But, if I don't have a countersignatory, who signs to confirm that the photo is of me, there is no way that VFS can confirm that it is actually me making the application. The photo will match the image in the old passport but is this sufficient if not verified?

I'd like a first hand report from someone who has renewed using an agent, preferably recently.

Maybe I'm just being overcautious but i don't want my application to fail and probably lose the application fee.

6 minutes ago, DrJack54 said:

Umm, two experienced posters above suggesting do it yourself.

I'm Oz so very simple process compared to UK.

Even more so if not located in Bangkok.

Where is your location.

I would use an agent given location.

Nothing wrong with using an agent, it's just the OP seems to have found one that doesn't know the requirements.

1 minute ago, doctormann said:

But, if I don't have a countersignatory, who signs to confirm that the photo is of me, there is no way that VFS can confirm that it is actually me making the application. The photo will match the image in the old passport but is this sufficient if not verified?

I'd like a first hand report from someone who has renewed using an agent, preferably recently.

Maybe I'm just being overcautious but i don't want my application to fail and probably lose the application fee.

Nobody needs to sign the photo. Read the notes as published by HMPO and quotes by @hotandsticky

I would do it myself, as I have done in the past, but my health is failing now and I don't travel well. Two trips to Bangkok from Pattaya would be quite unpleasant for me and i want to avoid this if possible.

I just got my daughter in the UK to send me a form ,I filled in in using her address,

she went to the PO with it , I think it was a couple of weeks was returned to me

registered post,by her.

regards worgeordie

Just now, worgeordie said:

I just got my daughter in the UK to send me a form ,I filled in in using her address,

she went to the PO with it , I think it was a couple of weeks was returned to me

registered post,by her.

regards worgeordie

That may work but is fraudulent, you confirm you are in the UK when applying, which you weren't, and need to send your old passport to the UK.

Hardly useful to the OP.

15 minutes ago, doctormann said:

I would do it myself, as I have done in the past, but my health is failing now and I don't travel well. Two trips to Bangkok from Pattaya would be quite unpleasant for me and i want to avoid this if possible.

Even if you don't use an agent, which obviously makes things easier, you still don't need to apply yourself. You can authorise anybody to submit your application and collect the new passport on your behalf.

56 minutes ago, doctormann said:

I would do it myself, as I have done in the past, but my health is failing now and I don't travel well. Two trips to Bangkok from Pattaya would be quite unpleasant for me and i want to avoid this if possible.

Finally announce that you are located in Pattaya. Also health not great.

There are excellent agents in Pattaya that renew UK pp.

Two I'm aware of have UK owners.

Previously Key Visa had Darren (who has left us).. They still renew pp along with others.

IMO no brainer. Use an agent given your situation.

Check out this mob...

Thai Visa Express – Pattaya Immigration Consultants https://share.google/nMufEOKXSR7sLfLx3