Published on 12, July, 2020
Hello,
I have autism and can't tolerate having friends/socialising. I'm housebound and only go out very rarely, such as to get vaccinated. This has resulted in me having nobody to confirm my identity. I don't even have a social worker. I've never been to church as an adult, due to sensory overload and anxiety.
I have not been employed since my 20s, due to other severe disabilities. I don't know my current neighbours. I knew a neighbour who lives near my mother, but I haven't seen her for over a decade. I would not be able to ask her. My mother still knows her, but refuses to ask her or help me. I did know fellow home education parents, but none of them worked. Passport rules disqualified them from vouching for me.
I was born in UK and have lived here for 41 years. But I've never had a passport. I'm unable to open the bank account of my choice (with best interest rate) because I have no photo ID. And I feel trapped here. I've never been on holiday. I've never been able to take my 15 year old on any foreign day trip, to France etc.
Does anyone have any ideas please?
Thanks
Claire
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To obtain a first adult passport, you must know the person vouching for you, for at least 2 years. They can't be family. And they must hold a passport of their own + have a recognized profession. You can't for example just ask your GP, unless they know you personally.
And it's not a renewal. To renew you can probably get anyone to countersign a photo. They are just saying you look like the photo. But unfortunately that's not my situation.
I can't apply for a driving licence because I suffer from blackouts and my GP is aware of this. It will be in my medical record. Plus there's no way I could pass a driving test, due to poor memory.
I can very occasionally go out. It depends a lot on my fibromyalgia. Plus I can only leave my home with a very close member of my family, such as my child. And under very controlled scenarios, where speaking/interacting with others is not expected. And the travel and location will be deserted. Such as out of season, less popular destinations- maybe a deserted beach hotel.
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I don't know where your replies went? Sorry if I accidently deleted them. My sight is not that great. Something came up on screen, I clicked to get rid of it & your replies went.
I know it must be hard to imagine. But I genuinely don't want friends. I'm very happy with just seeing my daughter. She goes out regularly and sees others. And I'm happy she enjoys that. But that is definitely not for me.
The problem is that not having a passport is affecting both our lives. Even having an at home blood test, photo ID required. Opening a chase bank account, not possible without photo ID. Taking my daughter on a day trip abroad, not possible without a passport. We have been to UK beaches, but she's bored of that now.