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Introduction
To vote in Scotland, you now need to show photo ID to vote at polling places in some elections.
This applies at UK parliamentary elections, including general elections, by-elections and recall petitions.
Voters in Scotland do not need to show photo ID at Scottish Parliament elections or at council elections.
Introduction
To vote in Wales, you now need to show photo ID to vote at polling stations in some elections.
This applies at:
- UK parliamentary elections, including general elections, by-elections and recall petitions
- Police and Crime Commissioner elections
Voters in Wales do not need to show photo ID to vote at a polling station at Senedd elections or local council elections.
Introduction
To vote in the UK on polling day, you now need to show photo ID to vote at polling stations.
This applies at UK parliamentary elections, including general elections, by-elections and recall petitions.
Introduction
The UK Government has introduced a requirement for voters to show photo ID at some elections.
In Northern Ireland, voters have been required to show ID since 1985, and photo ID since 2003.
The new requirement does not change this.
Find out more about what photo ID is accepted and how to apply for an Electoral Identity Card on the Electoral Office of Northern Ireland website.
Accepted forms of photo ID
You need to show photo ID to vote at polling stations in England.
You can use any of the following accepted forms of photo ID when voting at a polling station.
You only need to show one form of photo ID. It needs to be the original version, and not a photocopy or digital version. You can only use a digital version of your ID if you are using an eVisa
International travel
- 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 (including an Irish Passport Card)
Driving and Parking
- 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
Local travel
- Older Person’s Bus Pass funded by the UK Government
- Disabled Person’s Bus Pass funded by the UK Government
- 60+ London Oyster Photocard funded by Transport for London
- Freedom Pass
- Scottish National Entitlement Card issued for the purpose of concessionary travel (including a 60+, disabled or under 22s bus pass)
- 60 and Over Welsh Concessionary Travel Card
- Disabled Person’s Welsh Concessionary Travel Card
- Senior SmartPass issued in Northern Ireland
- Registered Blind SmartPass or Blind Person’s SmartPass issued in Northern Ireland
- War Disablement SmartPass issued in Northern Ireland
- 60+ SmartPass issued in Northern Ireland
- Half Fare SmartPass issued in Northern Ireland
Proof of age
- Identity card bearing the Proof of Age Standards Scheme hologram (a PASS card)
Other government issued documents
- Biometric Immigration Documents, including eVisas
- Ministry of Defence Form 90 (Defence Identity Card)
- Ministry of Defence Form 100 (HM Armed Forces Veteran Card) (you can only use this ID at elections taking place on or after 1 May 2025)
- National identity card issued by an EEA state
- Electoral Identity Card issued in Northern Ireland
- Voter Authority Certificate
- Anonymous Elector's Document
Accepted forms of photo ID
You can use any of the following accepted forms of photo ID when voting at a polling place.
You only need to show one form of photo ID. It needs to be the original version, and not a photocopy or digital version. You can only use a digital version of your ID if you are using an eVisa.
International travel
- 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 (including an Irish Passport Card)
Driving and Parking
- 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
Local travel
- Scottish National Entitlement Card issued for the purpose of concessionary travel (including a 60+, disabled or under 22s bus pass)
- Older Person’s Bus Pass funded by the UK Government
- Disabled Person’s Bus Pass funded by the UK Government
- 60+ London Oyster Photocard funded by Transport for London
- Freedom Pass
- 60 and Over Welsh Concessionary Travel Card
- Disabled Person’s Welsh Concessionary Travel Card
- Senior SmartPass issued in Northern Ireland
- Registered Blind SmartPass or Blind Person’s SmartPass issued in Northern Ireland
- War Disablement SmartPass issued in Northern Ireland
- 60+ SmartPass issued in Northern Ireland
- Half Fare SmartPass issued in Northern Ireland
Proof of age
- Identity card bearing the Proof of Age Standards Scheme hologram (a PASS card), for example a Young Scot card
Other government issued documents
- Biometric Immigration Documents, including eVisas
- Ministry of Defence Form 90 (Defence Identity Card)
- Ministry of Defence Form 100 (HM Armed Forces Veteran Card) (you can only use this ID at elections taking place on or after 1 May 2025)
- National identity card issued by an EEA state
- Electoral Identity Card issued in Northern Ireland
- Voter Authority Certificate
- Anonymous Elector's Document
If you don't have an accepted form of photo ID
You can apply for a free voter ID document, known as a Voter Authority Certificate, if:
- you don't have an accepted form of photo ID
- you're not sure whether your photo ID still looks like you
- you're worried about using an existing form of ID for any other reason, such as the use of a gender marker
You need to register to vote before applying for a Voter Authority Certificate.
Out of date photo ID
You can still use your photo ID if it's out of date, as long as it looks like you.
The address on your ID does not need to match your current address.
The name on your ID should be the same name you used to register to vote.
If you've changed your name
The name on your ID must match the name on the electoral register.
If it doesn't, you need to register to vote again.
If the deadline to register to vote in an upcoming election has passed, you will need to bring a document with you to the polling station that proves you've changed your name. For example, a marriage certificate.
Small differences don't matter. For example, if your ID says ‘Jim Smith’ instead of ‘James Smith’.
Showing ID as an anonymous elector
If you're registered to vote anonymously and want to vote in person, you'll need to apply for an Anonymous Elector's Document.
Find out more about registering to vote anonymously and how to vote anonymously.
Showing ID as an anonymous elector
If you're registered to vote anonymously and want to vote in person, you'll need to apply for an Anonymous Elector's Document.
Find out more about registering to vote anonymously and how to vote anonymously.
Introduction
The deadline to apply for a Voter Authority Certificate to vote in local elections taking place across England on 1 May is 5pm on Wednesday 23 April.
You can still use your photo ID if it's out of date, as long as it looks like you.
The address on your ID does not need to match your current address.
The name on your ID should be the same name you used to register to vote.
The name on your ID must match the name on the electoral register.
If it doesn't, you need to register to vote again.
If the deadline to register to vote in an upcoming election has passed, you will need to bring a document with you to the polling station that proves you've changed your name. For example, a marriage certificate.
Small differences don't matter. For example, if your ID says ‘Jim Smith’ instead of ‘James Smith’.
If you're registered to vote anonymously and want to vote in person, you'll need to apply for an Anonymous Elector's Document.
Find out more about registering to vote anonymously and how to vote anonymously.
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