Photo ID needed to vote in elections on May 4
The Government has changed the law regarding voting from May 4 2023. Anyone voting in person at a polling station must show a suitable photo ID before casting their vote.
You’ll need one of the following types of photo ID to vote:
a UK or Northern Ireland photocard driving licence (full or provisional)
a driving licence issued by the EU, Norway, Iceland, Liechtenstein, the Isle of Man or any of the Channel Islands
a UK passport
a passport issued by the EU, Norway, Iceland, Liechtenstein or a Commonwealth country
a PASS card (National Proof of Age Standards Scheme)
a Blue Badge
a biometric residence permit (BRP)
a Defence Identity Card (MOD form 90)
a national identity card issued by the EU, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein
a Northern Ireland Electoral Identity Card
a Voter Authority Certificate
an Anonymous Elector’s Document
You can also use one of the following travel passes as a photo ID when you vote:
an older person’s bus pass
a disabled person’s bus pass
an Oyster 60+ card
a Freedom Pass
a Scottish National Entitlement Card (NEC)
a 60 and Over Welsh Concessionary Travel Card
a Disabled Person’s Welsh Concessionary Travel Card
a Northern Ireland concessionary travel pass
If you’re voting as someone’s proxy
You’ll need to take your own ID when you go to vote on someone else’s behalf. You do not need to take theirs.
If you’ve changed your name
The name on your ID must match your name on the electoral register. If it does not, you’ll need to either:
register to vote again with your new details
take a document with you to vote that proves you’ve changed your name (for example, a marriage certificate)
You do not need a photo ID if you request a postal vote
Residents who would like to vote by post will not require a photo ID. Residents should apply now for a postal vote to ensure their application is processed early and issued as quickly as possible. You must be registered to vote - and it’s easy to apply. Apply here.
Are you registered to vote?
To be able to vote in these elections, you must be:
registered to vote (you can register here)
have a suitable photo ID (see accepted forms of ID)
18 or over on 4 May 2023; and
a UK, Irish, EU or qualifying Commonwealth citizen.
If you have registered to vote at your property and have not moved since you do not need to re-register to vote.
If you have moved home recently and have not registered to vote at your new address, you must do so by 11:59 pm on Thursday 17 April to be able to vote.
