Voter ID for Elections

For all future elections, voters will need to show an accepted form of photographic identification (photo ID) to vote at a polling station.

What Photo ID do I need?

Most people will already have ID.  The list of ID is here:

• Passport issued by the UK, any of the Channel Islands, the Isle of Man or a British Overseas Territory
• Passport or passport card issued by an EEA state or a country whose citizens are Commonwealth citizens
• 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
• Older Person's Bus Pass funded by the Government of the United Kingdom (eg Now Bus Pass)
• Disabled Person's Bus Pass funded by the Government of the United Kingdom
• Oyster 60+ Card funded by the Government of the United Kingdom
• Freedom Pass
• National Entitlement Card issued by a local authority 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
• Identity card bearing the Proof of Age Standards Scheme hologram (a PASS card)
• Biometric immigration document
• Ministry of Defence Form 90 (Defence Identity Card)
• Ministry of Defence Form 100 (HM Armed Forces Veterans Card)
• National identity card issued by an EEA state
• Electoral Identity Card issued in Northern Ireland
• Temporary Voter Authority Certificate

You will only need to show one form of photo ID. It needs to be the original version and not a photocopy. 

You can still use your photo ID if it's out of date, as long as it looks like you. The name on your ID should be the same name you used to register to vote.

For more information on what types of ID are accepted visit the Electoral Commission - Accepted forms of photo ID.

What if I don't have any of the listed ID documents?

If you don't have any of the accepted photographic ID listed above, you will need to apply for a Voter Authority Certificate. This is a photographic identity document, specifically for the purpose of voting. If you already have an accepted form of photographic ID, you do not need to apply for a Voter Authority Certificate. You can apply for a Voter Authority Certificate here.

An Easy Read document on Voter ID (PDF, 776 KB) is now available and explains the process of showing ID at a polling stations. 

Accessible voting

All voters should be able to register and cast their vote. The Elections Act 2022 has introduced changes to assist voters with disabilities at polling stations. More information can be found on the Accessible Voting page.

British Sign Language YouTube Video - Applying for a Voter Authority Certificate

British Sign Language YouTube Video - What will happen at the polling station

British Sign Language YouTube Video - Which forms of ID can I use to vote