VOTER ID

REQUIREMENT TO SHOW ID AT A POLLING STATION

If you are voting in a polling station, you will have to show an official form of photographic ID before you can be given a ballot paper. This applies to all Local Government elections, Referendums, Police and Crime Commissioner elections, Combined Authority Mayoral elections and Parliamentary elections.

The following list includes the photographic identification that can be presented at the polling station, this list is updated for those polls taking place from 1 May 2025:

a passport or passport card issued by the UK, any of the Channel Islands, the Isle of Man, a British Overseas Territory, an EEA state or a Commonwealth country
a driving licence issued by the UK, any of the Channel Islands, the Isle of Man or an EEA state
a biometric immigration document
an identity card bearing the Proof of Age Standards Scheme hologram (a PASS card)
a Ministry of Defence Form 90 (Defence Identity Card)
a Ministry of Defence Form 100 (HM Armed Forces Veterans Card)
a Blue Badge
a national identity card issued by an EEA state
an Older Person’s Bus Pass funded by the Government of the United Kingdom
a Disabled Person’s Bus Pass funded by the Government of the United Kingdom
an Oyster 60+ Card funded by the Government of the United Kingdom
a Freedom Pass
a National Entitlement Card issued by a local authority in Scotland
a 60 and Over Welsh Concessionary Travel Card issued in Wales
a Disabled Person’s Welsh Concessionary Travel Card issued in Wales
a Senior SmartPass issued in Northern Ireland
a Registered Blind SmartPass or Blind Person’s SmartPass issued in Northern Ireland
a War Disablement SmartPass or War Disabled SmartPass issued in Northern Ireland
a 60+ SmartPass issued in Northern Ireland
a Half Fare SmartPass issued in Northern Ireland
an Electoral Identity Card issued in Northern Ireland
a Voter Authority Certificate or a temporary Voter Authority Certificate.

If you photo ID has expired it will still be accepted as long as the photo is still a good likeness of you

If you do not have any of the above forms of photographic identification, you can apply for a free Voter Authority Certificate below.

Further proof of identity

You may be required to provide further proof of identity if there is any discrepancy between your name as shown on your form of photographic identification and the name of the elector (or proxy) you claim to be.

Anonymous electors – accepted form of photographic identification

You must present your Anonymous Elector’s Document in addition to your official poll card to vote at a polling station. The electoral register number on the Anonymous Elector’s Document must match the electoral register number shown on the official poll card.

APPLY FOR FREE PHOTO ID TO VOTE

You only need to apply for a Voter Authority Certificate if:

You do not have any of the accepted photo ID
you no longer look like the photo on your ID

It's free to apply and you'll need

a recent, digital photo of yourself
your National Insurance number

You can still apply if you do not have a National Insurance number. You’ll need to provide other documents to prove your identity, for example a birth certificate, bank statement and utility bill.

Apply online:

Apply for photo ID to Vote

OTHER WAYS TO APPLY

You can also apply using a paper application form which is available online to download and print off. You will need a recent physical passport photo of yourself.

Alternatively, you can contact Electoral Services to request a paper application form to be sent to you.

There’s a different form for applying by post if you live abroad, you’re in the armed forces, a Crown Servant or a British Council employee.