Voter ID

New legislation means that for the local elections on 4 May 2023, everyone voting at a polling station will need to present a form of photographic ID. The types of acceptable ID are listed below. 

Electors must still be registered to vote and must still attend the polling station shown on their poll card.

A new larger format poll card will give information about voter ID and will list the acceptable forms of photographic ID. 

Acceptable forms of ID

The following are the forms of photographic ID allowed by the legislation. Other forms of photographic ID not listed below are not classed as acceptable at the polling station

International travel

  • Passport issued by the UK, any of the Channel Islands, the Isle of Man, a British Overseas Territory, an EEA state or a Commonwealth country

Driving and parking

  • Driving licence issued by the UK, any of the Channel Islands, the Isle of Man, or an EEA state (this includes a provisional driving licence)
  • A Blue Badge

Local travel

  • Older Person’s Bus Pass
  • Disabled Person’s Bus Pass
  • Oyster 60+ Card
  • Freedom Pass
  • Scottish National Entitlement Card
  • 60 and Over Welsh Concessionary Travel Card
  • Disabled Person’s Welsh Concessionary Travel Card
  • Senior SmartPass issued in Northern Ireland
  • Registered Blind SmartPass or Blind Person’s SmartPass issued in Northern Ireland
  • War Disablement SmartPass issued in Northern Ireland
  • 60+ SmartPass issued in Northern Ireland
  • Half Fare SmartPass issued in Northern Ireland

Proof of age

  • Identity card bearing the Proof of Age Standards Scheme hologram (a PASS card)

Other government issued documents

  • Biometric immigration document
  • Ministry of Defence Form 90 (Defence Identity Card)
  • National identity card issued by an EEA state
  • Electoral Identity Card issued in Northern Ireland

If any of the above forms of ID are out of date, they are still acceptable at the polling station as long as the photo still looks like the voter.

Voter Authority Certificate

If an elector does not have any of the above forms of photographic ID, they can apply for a “Voter Authority Certificate”.

This is a form of letter with a photograph of the elector which can be used at a polling station.

Electors can apply for a Voter Authority Certificate online

When applying, the elector will need to upload a photograph and also provide their address, date of birth and National Insurance number 

For an application to be successful, the elector must provide an acceptable photo, be registered to vote and match Department of Work and Pensions Records. If any of these criteria are not met the application will be rejected and the elector will be contacted and will be able to resolve the issue.

Once the application is processed, the certificate is printed by a central government printing contactor and posted to the elector. 

The deadline for applying for a Voter Authority Certificate for the May 2023 elections is 5pm on Tuesday 25 April.

Photo quality and style

Below are guidelines on what quality and style of photo are acceptable when applying for a voter authority certificate.

  • of you facing forward and looking straight at the camera
  • a close up of your head and shoulders, without any head covering, unless you wear one for religious beliefs or medical reasons. Your face must not be covered for any reason.
  • of you with a plain facial expression and with your eyes open and clearly visible (for example without sunglasses and not obscured with hair). Please note this does not apply if you are unable to provide a photograph which complies with either or both of those requirements due to any disability 
  • be a true likeness
  • be in colour
  • be taken against a plain, light background
  • be in sharp focus and clear
  • be free from ‘redeye’, shadows which obscure the face, or reflection
  • not be damaged

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Translated information to print or download

Translated information booklets on Voter ID are available in the following languages for download or print:

Find out more about how to vote, or elections and voting via GOV.UK.