{"id":8460,"date":"2026-06-09T06:44:47","date_gmt":"2026-06-09T06:44:47","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.get-licensed.co.uk\/get-daily\/?p=8460"},"modified":"2026-11-13T12:47:04","modified_gmt":"2026-11-13T12:47:04","slug":"who-can-sign-personal-licence-photos","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.get-licensed.co.uk\/get-daily\/who-can-sign-personal-licence-photos\/","title":{"rendered":"Who Can Sign Personal Licence Photos?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Thinking of applying for a Personal Licence<\/a>? As part of your application process, you will need to provide two passport-sized photos. You must submit two passport-sized photographs. One must be endorsed on the back by a qualifying counter-signatory. Some councils also ask you to sign the other, so check your licensing authority’s guidance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But who can this counter-signatory be, and why is their signature so vital in your Personal Licence application?<\/a> Let\u2019s find out.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Quick answer: <\/h2>\n\n\n\n

One of your two personal licence photos must be endorsed on the back by a solicitor, a notary, a person of standing in the community, or anyone with a professional qualification, such as an accountant, teacher, police officer or bank official. They cannot be your spouse, partner or a relative. Councils vary, so check your licensing authority’s list.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What the law says<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Under regulation 7(1)(a) of the Licensing Act 2003 (Personal licences) Regulations 2005, an application must include two photographs of the applicant, and one must carry a statement verifying that it is a likeness of you. That statement must come from a solicitor, a notary, a person of standing in the community, or any individual with a professional qualification. The occupation lists published by councils are their own guidance on who fits those categories. This guide applies to England and Wales. Scotland has a separate licensing system run by licensing boards, so applicants there should check their board’s rules.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Who Is a Counter-Signatory?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

A counter-signatory is a solicitor, a notary, a person of standing in the community, or any individual with a professional qualification. They can be working or retired. They cannot be your spouse, partner or a relative. A colleague or manager can sign only if they fall into one of these groups.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Example<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Ultimately, the counter-signatory must be a person of good standing who works in, or has retired from, a recognized profession. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Most councils accept the professions below, or people of similar standing. This list is council guidance rather than law, and it varies, so confirm with the council you are applying to.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    \n
  • Accountant<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  • Articled Clerk of a Limited Company<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  • Assurance Agent of Recognised Company<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  • Bank\/Building Society Official<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  • Barrister<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  • Broker<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  • Chairman\/Director of Limited Company<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  • Chemist<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  • Chiropodist<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  • Christian Science Practitioner<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  • Commissioner of Oaths<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  • Councillor: Local or County<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  • Civil Servant (permanent)<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  • Dentist<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  • Engineer (with professional Qualifications)<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  • Fire Service Official<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  • Funeral Director<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  • Insurance agent (full time) of a recognised company<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  • Journalist<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  • Justice of the Peace<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  • Legal secretary (members and fellows of the Institute of Legal Secretaries)<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  • Local Government Officer<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  • Manager\/Personnel Officer (of Limited Company)<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  • Member of Parliament<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  • Merchant Navy Officer<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  • Minister of a recognised religion<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  • Registered nurse (RGN or RMN; some councils still list the older SRN and SEN titles)<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  • Officer of the armed services (Active or Retired)<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  • Optician<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  • Person with Honours (e.g. OBE MBE etc)<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  • Photographer (Professional)<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  • Police Officer<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  • Post Office Official<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  • President\/Secretary of a recognised organisation<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  • Salvation Army Officer<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  • Social Worker<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  • Solicitor<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  • Surveyor<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  • Teacher, Lecturer<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  • Trade Union Officer<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  • Travel Agency (Qualified)<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  • Valuers and auctioneers (fellow and associate members of the incorporated society)<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  • Warrant officers and Chief Petty Officers<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  • Whether a personal licence holder or designated premises supervisor can sign depends on the council. Horsham says no; Hinckley & Bosworth says yes.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n

    Photo Requirements<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

    Most councils ask for the following. Confirm with yours before you print.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      \n
    • Two identical passport-style photographs, head and shoulders, printed on photographic paper<\/li>\n\n\n\n
    • 45 mm high by 35 mm wide (Horsham District Council’s stated size)<\/li>\n\n\n\n
    • Plain light background, head uncovered unless worn for religious reasons, no sunglasses<\/li>\n\n\n\n
    • The endorsement written on the back of one photo only<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n

      What The Counter-Signatory Writes:<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

      On the back of one photograph, the counter-signatory writes: ‘I certify that this is a true likeness of [your full name].’ They then add:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

        \n
      1. Their signature<\/li>\n\n\n\n
      2. Their printed full name<\/li>\n\n\n\n
      3. Their job title or qualification<\/li>\n\n\n\n
      4. The date<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n

        Some councils supply a photograph declaration form for the signatory to complete as well, usually asking for their address and contact details. Councils such as Hinckley & Bosworth use slightly different wording, for example ‘I (name), (job title) confirm this photograph to be a true likeness of (applicant’s name).’ If your council publishes wording, use theirs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

        What Other Requirements Must a Counter-Signatory Hold?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

        Your counter-signatory must not be related to you or your partner. Many councils ask them to complete a declaration form with their name, address and qualification, and may contact them to check.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

        Does the Counter-Signatory Just Sign the Photo?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

        No. Along with their signature, By signing, they are declaring that the photograph is a true likeness of you. This can be done by adding the following statement, along with their signature, on the back of the photo:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

        \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u201cI certify that this is a true likeness of (XYZ). Add your full name in place of XYZ, then the signatory’s signature, printed name, job title or qualification and the date. Some councils also want the signatory’s contact address.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

        Finally, the statement must be dated, along with a signature from the counter-signatory. The photographs are one part of the application. See the checklist below for everything else you need.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

        \n