No suitable photo ID?
If you do not have any of the accepted forms of photo ID, and you want to vote at the polling station, you will need to apply for a free Voter Authority Certificate. This is a free photographic identification document for the purposes of voting.
You will need to submit a photo with your application. The requirements for the photo are similar to the requirements for a passport photo.
Apply for a free Voter Authority Certificate
Apply for photo ID to vote - online
Apply for a Voter Authority Certificate by post if you’re living in the UK.
If you would like to complete a paper application form, please contact your local Electoral Services office
You do not need to apply for a Voter Authority Certificate if you already have an acceptable form of ID such as a passport or driving licence, even if it is expired.
If you have recently moved from another local authority area and have a Voter Authority Certificate issued by your previous local authority, you do not need to apply for a new one, so long as the photo remains a good likeness of you.
The deadline for applications for Voter Authority Certificates is 5pm on Tuesday 28 April 2026.
