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Voter ID at polling stations

You need to show photo ID when you vote in person at a polling station in some elections.

You only need one accepted form of photo ID.

You must take the original document with you. You cannot use a photocopy or a photo of your ID on your phone.

If you do not have accepted photo ID, you can apply for a free Voter Authority Certificate.

Check if your photo ID is accepted

Common forms of accepted photo ID include:

  • 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
  • driver’s licence issued by the UK, Channel Islands, the Isle of Man, or an European Economic Area (EEA) state including provisional licence
  • EEA issued national identity cards
  • UK Biometric Residence Permit
  • ID bearing the Proof of Age Standards Scheme hologram (PASS card) 
  • Blue Badge
  • Oyster 60+ Card
  • Freedom Pass

There are other forms of photo ID you can use. Check the full list of accepted ID on GOV.UK.

The name on your ID must match your name on the electoral register. If it does not, tell us by emailing [email protected].

Expired photo ID

You can still use expired photo ID if it is an accepted type and the photo still looks like you.

Voting for someone else 

You must take your own ID when you go to vote on someone else’s behalf, known as a proxy. You do not need to take theirs.

If the address on your ID is different

The address on your photo ID does not need to be the same as the address where you’re registered to vote. Your ID is used to check your identity, not your address.

If your photo no longer looks like you

Polling station staff need to be able to recognise you from the photo on your ID.

If your photo no longer looks like you, you can apply for a free Voter Authority Certificate.

If you do not have accepted photo ID

You can apply for a Voter Authority Certificate which you can use as photo ID when you vote at a polling station.

You can apply if:

  • your photo ID no longer looks like you
  • you are not sure whether your photo ID will be accepted
  • you do not have photo ID 

Apply for a free Voter Authority Certificate

You will need:

  • a recent digital photo of yourself with a clear plain background
  • your National Insurance number, if you have one

If you do not have a National Insurance number you'll need to provide other documents to prove your identity.

This could be a:

  • birth certificate
  • bank statement
  • utility bill

Apply for a Voter Authority Certificate

If you cannot apply online 

If you cannot complete the application form online, you can download an application form from GOV.UK and return it to:

Electoral Services
Crowndale Centre
218 Eversholt Street
London
NW1 1BD

Get help to apply

If you need support, or need help applying for a Voter Authority Certificate, you can:

Resources in accessible formats

Information about voter ID is available in accessible formats.

Visit the Electoral Commission and GOV.UK website to: