Less than two weeks left to apply, for anyone who needs new, free Voter Authority Certificate as ID to vote at polling station

Less than two weeks are left for anyone who doesn’t have the photo ID required by new legislation to vote at a polling station, to apply for a free Voter Authority Certificate.

Changes
Changes by the UK Government to the UK electoral system through The Elections Act, mean you will need to show an accepted form of photographic identification to vote at a polling station in the local elections on Thursday 4th May 2023.

If you are voting at a polling station on election day, Thursday 4th May 2023, you will need to show one form of photographic ID.. 

You can use any of the following:

a passport
a driving licence – including provisional license
a Blue Badge
an older person’s bus pass (it must state it is funded by the government – local travel passes cannot be used)
a disabled person’s buss pass
an identity card with Proof of Age Standards Scheme (PASS) mark 
a biometric immigration document
a defence identity card
certain national identity cards
You can find the full list of accepted forms of photo ID here.

Voter Authority Certificate
If you do not have photo ID from the accepted list above, you can apply for a free Voter Authority Certificate.

 To apply you will need:

a recent, digital photo of yourself
your National Insurance number;
and you will need to be registered to vote. 

Apply for a a free Voter Authority Certificate here.

You can register to vote here (deadline by :59pm on Monday 17th April). 

If you are not able to apply online or would prefer to receive a paper application form, please contact Electoral Services on 0345 140 0845 or email [email protected]

Deadline
The deadline for applications for Voter Authority Certificates is 5pm on Tuesday 25th April, but please apply as soon as possible if you do not already have an accepted from of photo ID. 

Postal Voters WON’T be affected by this change.