Passport renewal

[Moscow Mule]

Does anyone ever actually check up on who it is that signs them?

Yup. About 5% IIRC

[Wodewick]

Yup. About 5% IIRC

What can they possibly be checking?

Your countersignatory should be a professional person or a person of good standing in the community. The list that follows gives examples of the type of person that would be suitable.

a) should be - not must be
b) wass dat actually mean?
c) examples - not a definitive list just examples

Mr GreyCivilServant: Oi Mr BinMan you ain't "of good standing"
Mr BinMan: Would you like to say that again when you get out of casualty?

[Mich the Tester]

I've signed somebody's before and I ain't on that list.

Are you not a director of a VAT registered company? If so, then you're on the list.