How to get a photo ID with no current photo ID?

Posted by idk111123456@reddit | AskUK | View on Reddit | 39 comments

Literally every single photo ID application process I’ve found involves me needing some kind of photo ID already. I’ve lived a very challenging and dysfunctional life until recently and I found out I can request a copy of my birth certificate but that will be all I have. It seems you need a professional person to confirm your photograph and documents in some cases but I don’t have anyone like that I can ask. Apparently GPs won’t do it now as they’re so busy.

I’m DESPERATE for a photo ID and no one knows how I can go about getting one. Does anyone have any advice?

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PutAutomatic2581@reddit

I had to sleep with the local baker.

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idk111123456@reddit (OP)

I'll try this.

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WatercressCrafty3350@reddit

Call the passport office and speak to them directly about not having someone to confirm your identity and they may have other options - it’s not that unusual (I am a social worker in a secure hospital and this is not uncommon for our patients - the passport office can be helpful and will be used to it but you have to speak to them directly)

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SlightlyMithed123@reddit

I second this, the Passport Office are possibly the most helpful government dept I’ve dealt with, they’ve heard it all and will have a solution for you.

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idk111123456@reddit (OP)

Thank you so much, I’ll try this. Glad to know I’m not the first person to have this issue, it sure feels like it.

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WatercressCrafty3350@reddit

Do - I can’t speak for them but for people I know they have been able to do things like a personal interview instead.

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brushfuse@reddit

Good luck!

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Positive_Meat_6272@reddit

If you go down to the dmv to get your id. The dmv will help you get your id. Dmv id Id dmv ya heard same shit. Dont read this comment as its useless. Hey have a good day!

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mellonians@reddit

You very likely do know someone able to sign this. It's just unlikely that you know that you know them. Track down people. You went to school with, even primary school. I've just counter signed an application for someone I barely knew in primary and secondary school, but I cant deny that that was the person in the application, I've known them for 35 even if I haven't seen them for more than 20 years!

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Over-Language2599@reddit

That's very helpful. Many people would interpret it as "someone you've been seeing regularly for the last 2 years".

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mellonians@reddit

Exactly! It doesn't have to be your best mucker, it doesn't have to be a doctor that knows what the inside of your prolapse looks like, just anyone in one of the defined occupations that knows who you are and has done for x amount of years. you don't even need to have seen this person at all since you've known them. This one I've just done the passport office emails me and I did it entirely online.

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shadowmoses4726@reddit

are you on UC? your work coach could do it for you. staff at a bank can also do it.

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Funny_Tank8531@reddit

When I asked my job coach was told that wasn’t something they did, had never heard of being a professional referee, maybe that was just her / their office.

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WatercressCrafty3350@reddit

The thing about this (and I’ve been asked) is that I have to add my passport number and details on the form and not everyone is comfortable doing that for someone they don’t know well - and it needs to be knowing them for two years.

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idk111123456@reddit (OP)

Unfortunately the documents that can be done by someone who doesn’t know me personally are not ones I own. I will double check the various ID applications though in case there is one that this would work with as I didn’t know a work coach/bank staff might be able to do it. Thank you!

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BertieBus@reddit

Citizenship card. Can use it for ID purposes.

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Monkeystache_HH@reddit

Yes lots of people can do the document authorisation for you. Going into a branch of your bank I probably the imports but you could also likely walk into any accountant or solicitors office and explain that you need someone to validate your ID, I’d be surprised if they charge you as it’s something a junior can do in about 5 mins

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idk111123456@reddit (OP)

There’s usually a form they have to fill out online for me and there’s even one where they have to answer a phone call at a later date. This is why it’s supposed to be someone who knows me personally (but is a professional from their lists of accepted professions.) It’s so infuriating.

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Cultural_Tank_6947@reddit

The list is pretty broad, and the criteria is actually pretty loose.

If you have been going to a corner shop, chances are the shop owner could do it.

If you've been going to a barbershop, and they have a limited company, chances are they could do it.

Ditto with the pub.

Hell the way it's written, it says manager or personnel officer of a limited company can do it. That's basically a store manager at Tesco or Maccies.

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idk111123456@reddit (OP)

The issue I'm having is 1) I've just moved to an area and have no connections yet. 2) The person would need to fill out an online form with their details and likely proof of their ID. In one of the applications they need to answer a phonecall. I can't imagine anyone that doesn't know me well being comfortable doing that.

If I'm wrong please someone correct me.

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Cultural_Tank_6947@reddit

What about the previous area? They just need to know you for over two years. They don't have to be your best friend. They don't have to live next to you. Someone in Cornwall can vouch for someone in the Shetlands.

So if someone knew you in April 2024, they know you today and can vouch for you.

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ilovepompomkitty@reddit

https://www.gov.uk/apply-for-photo-id-voter-authority-certificate

It's a photographic ID, but is printed on a4 paper so might not be what you need

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Wonderful-Cow-9664@reddit

Do you know anyone at all with Manager in their job title?

Or anyone at all that works for a bank. It absolutely does not just have to be professions like doctors or solicitors. There’s a whole list of occupations you can use

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Areyastoopid@reddit

Do you have an adult social worker or a therapist by any chance?

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JBEqualizer@reddit

You shouldn't need photo ID to get a driving licence.

As long as you have or can get hold of a birth or adoption certificate, and have something with your National Insurance number on it, you should be able to apply.

You might need to use the D1 form, which you can pick up from a post office or the DVLA can send one out.

If you don't have a birth certificate or anything with your NI number on, you can get a copy of your birth certificate sent out, and because you also don't have any ID, HMRC should be able to send a letter with your NI on it. Both of these can then be used to apply for a provisional licence.

However you will still need a photo and someone to countersign that, so you're still stuck.

I understand where you're coming from, between my wife and I, it took ages to find someone to verify our kids passports. Covid, moving house, changing schools and then finding out people who otherwise would have been eligible, didn't have a valid passport made it much harder than it should have been.

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Internal_Sun_1044@reddit

I did exactly the same thing, getting provisional driving licence just to have a valid photo ID. It was 8 years ago but I didn't need my birth certificate or anything back then.

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idk111123456@reddit (OP)

Thank you for telling me exactly which form I'd need and I would easily be able to obtain those things.

Except the person to countersign the photo of course!

I'm in my 30s and recently had to start my whole life over so I don't really have any connections yet. No stranger wants to go to the effort. I wish they didn't make it so hard.

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srm79@reddit

Alcohol licensee like an off-licence owner/supermarket manager or pub landlord/manager, social worker, teacher, self employed person with limited company (often hairdressers, electricians, plumbers, etc), all these people are allowed to countersign your ID Photo

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lavayuki@reddit

I had difficulty with this as well, mostly because I didn’t know anyone for long enough from the list of professions acceptable. I ended up using colleagues, but had to wait they knew me long enough.

It doesn’t have to be a friend, it can someone like a colleague, boss, neighbour who you are even just acquainted with (my parents used a neighbour) etc

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Laescha@reddit

Also anyone who owns their own business - barber/hairdresser, local shopkeeper, tradie etc

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nenoroci@reddit

https://www.citizencard.com/

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idk111123456@reddit (OP)

Don’t have what I’d need for this one either. Thank you though.

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nug_life_thug_life@reddit

Have you tried a Citizenship card?

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idk111123456@reddit (OP)

I’d need a referee unfortunately which I don’t have. Thanks for the suggestion though :)

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£34

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idk111123456@reddit (OP)

But I have to prove my identity in order to apply for a license :(

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