Bring ID to vote at elections
Voters in England will need to show an accepted photo ID to vote at polling stations. This includes those acting as a proxy.
Apply for a free voter ID
If you do not have accepted photo ID, you can apply for a free voter ID document, called a Voter Authority Certificate.
Voter Identification required at polling stations
People who wish to vote in person (including those acting as a proxy) are now required to produce an accepted form of photographic ID to prove their identity before they will be issued with a ballot paper.
What kinds of photo ID are accepted?
The accepted forms of photo ID are:
- a 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
- a driving licence issued by the UK, any of the Channel Islands, the Isle of Man, or an EEA state
- a biometric immigration document
- an identity card bearing the Proof of Age Standards Scheme hologram (a PASS card)
- a Ministry of Defence Form 90 (Defence Identity Card)
- a Ministry of Defence Form 100 (Veterans' Card)
- a HM Armed Forces Veteran Card
- a Blue Badge
- a national identity card issued by an EEA state
- an Older Person’s Bus Pass
- a Disabled Person’s Bus Pass
- an Oyster 60+ Card
- a Freedom Pass
- a Scottish National Entitlement Card issued in Scotland
- a 60 and Over Welsh Concessionary Travel Card issued in Wales
- a Disabled Person’s Welsh Concessionary Travel Card issued in Wales
- a Senior SmartPass issued in Northern Ireland
- a Registered Blind SmartPass or Blind Person’s SmartPass issued in Northern Ireland
- a War Disablement SmartPass issued in Northern Ireland
- a 60+ SmartPass issued in Northern Ireland
- a Half Fare SmartPass issued in Northern Ireland
- an Electoral Identity Card issued in Northern Ireland
Expired photographic identification documents can still be used as accepted photographic ID at the polling station or signing place, as long as the photograph is still a good likeness of the elector.
View a full list of of accepted forms of photo ID.
What if I do not have the right Photo ID?
Where an individual does not have or does not wish to use one of these accepted forms of photographic ID, they can apply online for a Voter Authority Certificate.