Referees validating original document(s) (also called Route 1) are professionals, who need to see and check an original document confirming your identity.
For an online application your chosen referee needs to see an original document confirming your identity and complete a Digital Referee Declaration Form.
For a paper or printed application your chosen referee needs to countersign your passport quality photograph, your application and a copy of an official document confirming your identity as being true to the original.
If the referee knows you personally the document confirming your identity can be one of the following:
If your referee doesn't know you the following photographic ID documents can be used:
If you are applying using a paper or printed application you must show an original document confirming your identity to your referee, ask them to countersign a photocopy of it and post it to us together with your Post Office PASS Card application. Please do not send original documents.
If you changed your name since birth and the document shows your old name, please show the original change of name document(s) - marriage certificate(s), change of name deed(s), Court Order(s) or Gender Recognition Certificate to your referee. Note that for a paper or printed application your referee needs to countersign the photocopies of your change of name document(s) and you need to post them to us together with the other documentation.
Any person in the permitted list below who is currently employed can act as a referee validating original document(s) provided we can contact them at work, via email and on their work telephone number, during office hours at a registered business address. We have to verify their business details which must be published/advertised in online professional business directories.
Referees must not be related to you or in a personal relationship with you (cannot be a guardian, foster carer, spouse, civil partner, fiancé, boyfriend/girlfriend) nor live with you.