From the 4th May 2023 you’ll need to show Photo Identification when voting in person in some UK elections or referendums.
To receive a Voter Authority Certificate that you will be able to use to vote in the 4 May 2023 elections, your application must be received by your local Electoral Registration Office before 5pm on Tuesday 25 April 2023.
You’ll need it to vote in:
- UK Parliament by-elections
- local elections in England (including councils, mayors, the Greater London Authority and parishes)
- recall of MP petitions in England, Scotland and Wales
- Police and Crime Commissioner elections in England and Wales
- neighbourhood planning referendums and Business Improvement District referendums in England
- local authority referendums in England (including Council Tax increase referendums)
Forms of Photo ID that are acceptable are
- a UK or Northern Ireland photocard driving licence (full or provisional)
- a driving licence issued by the EU, Norway, Iceland, Liechtenstein, the Isle of Man or any of the Channel Islands
- a UK passport
- a passport issued by the EU, Norway, Iceland, Liechtenstein or a Commonwealth country
- a PASS card (National Proof of Age Standards Scheme)
- a Blue Badge
- a biometric residence permit (BRP)
- a Defence Identity Card (MOD form 90)
- a national identity card issued by the EU, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein
- a Northern Ireland Electoral Identity Card
- a Voter Authority Certificate
- an Anonymous Elector’s Document
Or can also use one of the following travel passes as photo ID when you vote:
- an older person’s bus pass
- a disabled person’s bus pass
- an Oyster 60+ card
- a Freedom Pass
- a Scottish National Entitlement Card (NEC)
- a 60 and Over Welsh Concessionary Travel Card
- a Disabled Person’s Welsh Concessionary Travel Card
- a Northern Ireland concessionary travel pass
The photo on your ID must look like you. You can still use your ID even if it has expired.
If you’d don’t have a valid form of photo ID you can apply for a ‘Voter Authority Certificate’.
This is valid for voting, but cannot be used as proof of identification for any other reason.
It’s free to apply for, but you’ll need your National insurance Number and digital photograph of yourself
If you don’t know your National Insurance number you will need to send digital copies of other documents, such as your birth certificate or a utility bill.
Applications for a Voter Authority Certificate can be make online at https://voter-authority-certificate.service.gov.uk
you can also apply by post, full details are at https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/apply-for-a-voter-authority-certificate-by-post-if-youre-living-in-the-uk
You can take your own digital photograph, the specific photo requirements are on the government webpage. (Please don’t add a filter – or photoshop your photograph).
If you (or a friend/family member) are unable to take your own photograph we do offer a digital photo ID service, for a £15 fee. We’ll take your ID photograph, check it meets all the requirements and send you an email.
When you receive the email, you click on the button ‘Click to Access Your ID Photo which then takes you through to a screen with your details and a button to download your ID Photo. You can then upload this to your Voter Authority Certificate application.
Please give us a call on 02392 501291 or email us at [email protected] if you’d like to book an appointment or have any questions.
