On Wed, 31 Oct 2007 17:20:06 +0000, lid wrote:

Almost any professional can sign the forms now - so you are not stuck
with the old restricted list of GP, vicar, JP ....

There never was a restricted list; they just like people to think
there was. There was always a qualifier on the end of the list like
"someone of similar standing". (I don't remember the exact words.)

I've always had my passport application counter-signed by someone who
unashamedly describes himself as "dustman" and the Passport Agency
(and their predecessors) have never queried it. If they'd done so,
I'd have been prepared to argue that my dustman friend was as
respected in the community as anyone else (or more so) and therefore
of at least similar standing.

Mike.