Free Voter Authority Certificate

Apply for a free Voter Authority Certificate if you don't have any other accepted form of photo ID to vote at polling stations. This ID is only valid for voting and lasts 10 years.

Voter Authority Certificate: what it is

A Voter Authority Certificate is a free photo ID card that you can only use for voting. It shows:

  • your name
  • your photograph
  • the issuing council
  • an identifier number
  • date of issue
  • renewal date

It does not show your address, age or gender.
 

How to apply

Apply online for a free Voter Authority Certificate or request a paper form from your local Electoral Registration Office.

You'll need to provide:

  • a recent photo of yourself
  • your name
  • address
  • date of birth
  • National Insurance number (if you have one)

If you don't have a National Insurance number, your local Electoral Registration Office will help verify your identity another way.
 

Apply online for a free Voter Authority Certificate

Photo requirements

Your photo must:

  • be taken in the last 12 months
  • be clear and in focus
  • be a true likeness of you
  • be in colour
  • show your full head and shoulders
  • show you facing forwards into the camera
  • show your face clearly with no head covering (unless worn for religious or medical reasons)
  • be taken against a plain light background

It must not:

  • show anyone else in the photo
  • have anything obscuring your eyes or face
  • have any reflection
  • be damaged
  • have any “redeye” 

For online applications, the photo file must be:

  • at least 750 pixels high and 600 pixels wide
  • no larger than 20MB

For paper applications, the printed photo must be:

  • at least 45mm high and 35mm wide
  • no larger than 297mm high or 210mm wide

Application deadline

Apply by 5pm at least 6 working days before an election.

If you miss the deadline and your photo ID is lost, stolen or damaged, you can apply for an emergency proxy vote instead.

Apply for an emergency proxy vote

Getting help

Contact your local Electoral Registration Office if you need:

  • help taking a suitable photo
  • a paper application form
  • documents translated or in large print, braille or easy read format
  • help completing your application
Contact your local Electoral Registration Office

You can also get an easy read guide to applying for a Voter Authority Certificate. It’s a step by step guide to how to complete the application form. 

Easy read guide to applying for a Voter Authority Certificate