Any Passport Office people??

I can't help to much but does your local post office have a passport service they'll be able to advise you

I just renewed to change my name (had to send new photos too) and didn't need it countersigned. That's just for your first passport I believe.

Same here ATB. Also sent new pics and didn't have to have anything countersigned when I changed name and photo.

I just renewed mine & I didn't need to countersign- you only need that for your first passport. You just update the photos.

Just did mine this summer and it said something like it was fine to just send new pics (no signing necessary) as long as you still resembled your old photos - i.e. they could tell it was the same person. If you look wildly different to your old photos then it might be worth checking at the post office.

I've just sent mine off and it didn't say anything about countersigning those photos - as said above, I think that's just for your first passport.

I think you'll be fine without a countersignatory:

https://www.gov.uk/countersigning-passport-applications

I haven't changed mine yet as it still has 6 years left on it. Does anyone know if they transfer any time left on the old one onto the new one?

I am too tight to pay to change it but it is a pain remembering to book flights etc in my old name!

You can only transfer a maximum of 9 months. It really annoys me too. I'll have 5 years remaining on mine after I get married:

https://www.gov.uk/changing-passport-information

They say you need it coubtersigned if you might not look like your old pics. When I went up to the passport office to get mine, they refused two people at thr counters by me as they didn't have countersignature and they were saying they didn't look enough like the pic in their previous passport. I saw one and personally though she was being a bit picky. If time doesn't matter too much then its worth changing (if you look like your photo) but if you're in a rush - it might be worth trying to find someone? I think post office might advise as part of the check and send service though so worth doing that.

What an absolute mare this is turning out to be! Went to my 'check and send' post office last night and they said that I need a countersignature and two new photos..FFS!! My passport is still in date, I just need to change my name - why do I need new pictures if I am just changing my name and applying for a renewal?

I sometimes think the 'check and send' people at the post office just always err on the side of caution.

Are you in a rush? If not, I'd just send it off and see what the actual passport office say.

I've decided to do it online - seems pretty straight forward. I need to send 2 new photos, my marriage cert, and old passport - they ask you to sign a declaration and haven't asked for any countersignatures.

Fingers crossed this goes through okay! No real rush but hubby keeps asking me to get it done, maybe he's planning to take me away - now that would be nice! x

This is what I've just done. I sent if off last week so I'll keep you posted!

I just did the very same thing, applied online, two new photos and my marriage certificate. It only took two weeks to come back, then a few days later I got the old passport and my certificate back.

I had a passport photo rejected once because I was too pale. Erm, that's my skin.... I'd gone into the passport office to use the express service. I caused a right stooshie but in the end I had to back down as I needed it quickly. I went to a Benefit counter, she made me orange, I went back and had new photos taken and they approved it. I was very glad to get rid of that photo!

Oh jeez, that's ridiculous!!

Glad you've done the online thing too ladies,

Jeez atb that sounds crazy!! I've got to sort mine ours again. I've been told we''ll have to go to a passport office as they''re stolen but I'm hoping not as I really can't be bothered with all that again!

It was a total joke. I was standing infront of them, they could see it was me!

Lots of other 'customers' got in on it too, they overheard and were all arguing their support for me. Caused a totaly rammy that day! It still annoys me! especially as I had to travel for years on a passport with my face the colour of terracotta sunrise and it cost me an extra £5 for the new photos on top of £95 odd I was already paying! ?

I'm sure your passport will come back just fine and I hope H has something good planned!

I did mine online and it was very straightforward. I got my youngest his passport and got it back within 2 weeks!

I've just had a text from the passport office saying my new passport is being printed. So that's good!