Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, whether she plans to review the adequacy of rules governing (a) passport countersignatures and (b) the associated list of allowed professions.

His Majesty’s Passport Office policy on who can act as a referee is kept under review as part of the general programme of work to modernise and improve the passport application process.

The list of recognised professions is set out online. It is not a definitive list; alternatives provided by a customer will be considered. Customers can call the Passport Adviceline if they have questions about a passport application.