Passport

Hi, I've countersigned several UK passport applications, and have never quoted a code. From memory I just gave my occupation.

Cheers, Andy

Are you an Irish citizen?

If you aren't and you want an Irish passport via the 'grandparent' route you will first need to go through the Foreign Birth registration process which will cost you 278 euro in direct fees plus the fees paid to the national registrars for certified copies needed to prove your entitlement.

A professional engineer, chartered or otherwise, is unable to countersign your Foreign Birth Registration, no doubt the same is true for a passport application.


Once you have got you 'EU' citizenship you might get a European tax indentity in future years. Someone has to make up the UK contribution and it might as well be you!

Previously as a registered board director (chairman) of an NHS body, I was 'qualified' to countersign UK passport photos/applications, firearms licence applications, etc. There is/was no code to add to the countersigning. My countersigning was once or twice verified by the passport office (by telephone call).


Yes, certain British residents can countersign or witness Irish Passport Applications made in/from Great Britain. For Irish passport applications made whilst resident in GB, follow https://www.dfa.ie/irish-embassy/great-britain/passports/top-passport-questions/how-to-get-your-passport-application-witnessed/  where it states that your application must be 'witnessed' by one of the following (as long as they are satisfied as to your identify and that your four photos are a true likeness of you etc): Police Officer; Member of Clergy; Medical Doctor, Nurse, Pharmacist, Dentist, Vet; Lawyer, Solicitor and Legal Executives (registered with the law society or Institute of Legal Executives); Bank Official (this includes building societies, credit unions, postmasters and sub-postmasters); Elected Public Representative (this includes members of Parliament & County Councillors); Justice of the Peace, Notary Public, Commissioner for Oaths, Peace Commissioner; Social Worker; Teacher, Lecturer; Accountant. (Unlike UK passport countersignatories, there is no mention of Engineers or "member, associate, fellow of a professional body"). 


As for eligibility for an Irish passport, you might view https://www.dfa.ie/irish-embassy/great-britain/passports/eu-uk-referendum-citizenship-passport-faqs/ where it specifies that to have an Irish Passport you must be an Irish Citizen - either by birth or heritage, or because you were "born on the island of Ireland before 1 January 2005" (i.e. includes Northern Ireland).

I did read at the time I accepted IEng status that it carrys the same weight as CEng in the context of countersigning documents. I've not had any indication to the contrary. Looking at the passport website today, it simply lists "engineer - with professional qualifications" as one of the accepted signatories.

Thanks that’s a good idea put membership number after name, will do that. It would have been embarrassing if you signed it for someone you know and it was sent back to them for another signature.

                                                                                                     
No I don’t want to be in the EU, was born in NI can so have dual passport, as I go to Europe once a year, after Brexit thought the Irish one (as million other Irish/Scots/ English have done) go get the Irish passport so you don’t have to join “Others” queue at the airport or pay for a visitor’s visa.
Regards,
John  Registered Engineer ECuk