The thing you have to take with you to vote in the general election for the first time ever

Ruth Mosalski

2 June 2024 at 4:43 am·4-min read

For the first time ever you need to take ID with you to vote in the general election. Anyone going to vote will have to take photo ID with them if they go to vote on July 4, it is the first general election where this is the case.

There is a long list of forms of ID that are allowed including bus passes, driving licences and passports. But if you don't have any of the required list, there is a specific form of ID you can apply for, called a voter authority certificate.

The deadline to apply for the certificate is 5pm on Wednesday, June 26. You will receive a poll card before the election telling you where you can vote, you can only vote at that polling station but you do not have to take the poll card with you and you can still vote if you've lost your card.

Accepted forms of photo ID

You can use any of the following accepted forms of photo ID when voting at a polling station but it has to be the original version and not a photocopy.

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 licence issued by the UK, any of the Channel Islands, the Isle of Man, or an EEA state (this includes a provisional driving licence)
Blue badge
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
Identity card bearing the proof of age standards scheme hologram (a PASS card)
Biometric immigration document
Ministry of Defence form 90 (Defence Identity Card)
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

The deadline to apply for a voter authority certificate is 5pm on Wednesday, June 26.

How to apply for a voter authority certificate

You need to be registered to vote before you apply for a voter authority certificate. When you register to vote, you’ll be asked whether you have photo ID or if you want to apply for a voter authority certificate. You can apply by post or online. To apply online, go to gov.uk or to apply for post you download a form and send it to your local council, you may also be able to apply in person.

Information you will need to provide

When applying for a voter authority certificate, you will need to provide your name, address, date of birth and National Insurance number. You should apply using the same name that you used to register to vote. You will not need to provide your gender, and your certificate will not have a gender marker. You can still apply if you don't know your National Insurance number but will have to provide other forms of proof of identity.

You will need to submit a photo with your application, with similar requirements to a passport photo. If you need help taking a photo, then your local council will be able to do this for you. To be accepted the photo you provide must meet certain requirements in terms of style, quality and size.

How long does it last?

Voter Authority Certificates do not have an expiration date but it's recommended that you renew your certificate after 10 years.

How do I find out more?

There's more information on the Electoral Commission website.

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Accepted forms of photo ID

If you don't have an accepted form of photo ID

Information you will need to provide

How long does it last?

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