Voter ID

Photo ID needed to vote at a polling station

The UK Government introduced a requirement for voters to show photo ID when voting at a polling station at some elections. This new requirement applied for the first time in England at the local elections that were held on Thursday 4 May 2023.

Which forms of ID can I use to vote?

You may already have a form of photo ID that is acceptable.  You can use any of the following: -

  • Passport
  • Driving licence (including provisional license)
  • Blue badge
  • Certain concessionary travel cards
  • Identity card with PASS mark (Proof of Age Standards Scheme)
  • Biometric Immigration document
  • Defence identity card
  • Certain national identity cards

For more information on which forms of photo ID will be accepted, visit electoralcommission.org.uk/voterID or call their helpline on 0800 328 0280.

If you don’t have an accepted form photo ID

If you don’t already have an accepted form of photo ID, or you’re not sure whether your photo ID still looks like you, you can apply for a free voter ID document, known as a Voter Authority Certificate. You can apply for this at voter-authority-certificate.service.gov.uk.

Alternatively, you can complete a paper application form by contacting voting@newark-sherwooddc.gov.uk.

Find out more

If you have any questions or would like to find out more, go to electoralcommission.org.uk/voterID, or call their helpline on 0800 328 0280.

Take a look at the frequently asked questions on the .gov.uk website.

The Electoral Commission Booklet

The Electoral Commission has produced a useful guide to Voter ID in different languages, follow these links to download a pdf copy.

Booklet explaining Voter ID in English (PDF File, 1,284kb)

ভোটার বুকলেট ডাউনলোড করুন Voter ID booklet translated into Bengali (PDF File, 8,972kb)

મતદાર પુસ્તિકા ડાઉનલોડ કરો Voter ID booklet translated into Gujarati (PDF File, 5,134kb)

ਵੋਟਰ ਬੁੱਕਲੇਟ ਡਾਉਨਲੋਡ ਕਰੋ Booklet explaining Voter ID translated into Panjabi (PDF File, 1,581kb)

Pobierz przewodnik dla wyborców Booklet explaining Voter ID translated into Polish (PDF File, 1,532kb)

Descarregar a Brochura de Eleitor Booklet explaining Voter ID translated into Portuguese (PDF File, 1,455kb)

Descărcați Broșura Alegătorului Booklet explaining Voter ID translated into Romanian (PDF File, 1,831kb)

Soo dejiso Buugga yar ee Codbixiyaha Booklet explaining Voter ID translated into Somali (PDF File, 1,640kb)

Descargue la guía del votante Voter ID booklet translated into Spanish (PDF File, 2,116kb)

ووٹر کتابچہ ڈاؤن لوڈ کریں Booklet explaining Voter ID translated into URDU (PDF File, 1,616kb)