Registering and voting

Photo ID for voting at UK Parliament elections

If you plan to vote in person at a UK Parliament general election or a Recall Petition, you must bring photo ID to your polling station. This rule does not apply to Scottish Parliament or local council elections.

Most people already have an accepted form of ID. Check below to see what you can use and how to get a free ID if you need it.

Accepted photo ID

You can use these types of ID, even if they have expired, as long as the photo still looks like you:

Passports

Issued by the UK, Channel Islands, Isle of Man, a British Overseas Territory, an EEA country or a Commonwealth country (including Irish passport cards).

Driving licences

Full or provisional licences issued by the UK, Channel Islands, Isle of Man or an EEA country.

Other accepted ID

Blue Badge
National Entitlement Card (bus pass)
PASS card (such as a Young Scot card)
Biometric immigration document
Ministry of Defence Form 90

No ID? Apply for a free voter authority certificate

If you do not have any of the ID listed above, you can apply for a free Voter Authority Certificate.

You can apply online or by post. Once you complete the form, send it to your local electoral registration office.

Quick guide to voting: Which forms of photo ID can you use to vote in Scotland?

Watch the Electoral Commission UK's film on photo ID for elections in Scotland.

Voting anonymously

If you are registered as an anonymous elector and want to vote in person, you must apply for an anonymous elector’s document before voting.

Accessible information

You can get voter ID information in other formats, including:

audio
Braille
British Sign Language (BSL)
easy read
plain text

Quick guide to voting: Applying for a Voter Authority Certificate

Watch the Electoral Commission UK's film on applying for a Voter Authority Certificate.

Find out more

For full details, guidance and application forms, visit the Electoral Commission website including: