Voter ID

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Voter ID at Polling Stations

Under the new Elections Act 2022, electors will be required to show photographic ID when voting at a Polling Station. 

From May 2023, if you want to vote in person at the polling station (including those acting as a proxy on behalf of another person) you will need to present an accepted form of photographic ID to prove your identity.

This will apply at:

  • UK parliamentary elections (the requirement for voter ID to be provided at a UK parliamentary general election will only take effect for polls after 5 October 2023)
  • local elections in England
  • local referendums in England
  • London Assembly and Mayor of London elections
  • Crime Commissioner elections in England and Wales
  • UK wide national referendums

Types of photo ID accepted

You must present one of the following forms of photographic identification to vote in person at a polling station:

  • 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 licence issued by the UK, any of the Channel Islands, the Isle of Man or an EEA state
  • Biometric immigration document
  • Identity card bearing the Proof of Age Standards Scheme hologram (a PASS card)
  • Ministry of Defence Form 90 (Defence Identity Card)
  • Blue Badge
  • National identity card issued by an EEA state
  • Older Person’s Bus Pass
  • Disabled Person’s Bus Pass
  • Oyster 60+ Card
  • Freedom Pass
  • Scottish National Entitlement Card issued in Scotland
  • 60 and Over Welsh Concessionary Travel Card issued in Wales
  • Disabled Person’s Welsh Concessionary Travel Card issued in Wales
  • Senior SmartPass issued in Northern Ireland
  • Registered Blind SmartPass or Blind Person’s SmartPass issued in Northern Ireland
  • War Disablement SmartPass or War Disabled SmartPass issued in Northern Ireland
  • 60+ SmartPass issued in Northern Ireland
  • Half Fare SmartPass issued in Northern Ireland
  • Electoral Identity Card issued in Northern Ireland
  • Voter Authority Certificate or a temporary Voter Authority Certificate

Expired photographic identification documents can still be used as accepted photographic ID at the polling station if the photograph is still a good likeness of you.

What if I don't have any photo ID?

If you do not have any of the above forms of photographic identification, you can apply to our Electoral Services Office for a free Voter Authority Certificate. This is an A4 document containing an elector’s name and photograph.

This certificate can only be used for voting in person at a polling station.

Before you apply, you must:

  • already be registered to vote
  • not be a current registered postal voter (Voter ID only applies to electors voting in person at a polling station)
  • check the accepted photographic ID list above

Apply for photo ID to vote (Voter Authority Certificate)

Paper applications can be made available for electors who can't go online.

The Voter Authority Certificate is valid for 10 years and can move with an elector should they move house (as long as they are registered to vote). 

Anonymous registration

Anonymous registration is available to electors whose safety would be at risk if their name or address were listed on the electoral register.

Registered anonymous electors wishing to vote in person at the polling station only need to present an Anonymous Elector's Document. This is a document containing the anonymous elector number and photograph, which is issued by the Electoral Services Office following verification of a person’s identity.

Anonymous electors can't use other forms of photographic ID. Anonymous electors will still also be required to produce their poll card when voting in person.

For further information about Anonymous Electors Document, please contact Electoral Services: