Voter ID
You must show photo ID to vote at polling stations in general elections, local elections, Police, Fire & Crime Commissioner elections, UK parliamentary by-elections and recall petitions.
Common photo IDs that you can use include:
- Passport (this doesn't need to be in date, but it needs to be recent enough to look like you)
- Driving licence (including provisional license)
- Blue badge
- Specific travel cards (such as an older person’s bus pass or disabled person’s bus pass)
- Visit the Electoral Commission's website to find out more about accepted forms of photo ID
If you don't have an accepted form of photo ID, you can apply for a free voter ID document, which is known as a voter authority certificate. Visit the Electoral Commission's website to find out more how to apply for a free voter authority certificate.
The deadline to apply for a voter authority certificate for the Police, Fire & Crime Commissioner election in May is 5pm on Wednesday 24 April 2024. Visit the Electoral Commission's website to find out how to apply for a free voter authority certificate.
Whichever form of ID you provide, it will need to be an original and not a copy.
If your arrive at a polling station without an accepted form of photo ID, you will be asked to return with ID that is accepted.
If you wear a face covering for any reason, such as a mask for medical reasons, or a face veil worn on religious grounds, you will be asked to remove it so polling station staff can check your ID looks like you - you can ask to do this in private and you can also request a female member of staff, which will be granted if possible.
There will be a mirror available in the polling station to allow you to replace your face covering once your ID has been checked.