Campaigns and Hubs Don't Lose Your Voice - LGBTQ+ Democracy Hub Voter ID | Applying for photo Voter ID If you don't have an accepted form of photo Voter ID , you can apply for one. This guide details how you can apply for each form of accepted photo Voter ID as proof of identification when voting in person in London/ the UK elections. If you want support in applying for any of the photo ID listed below, then you can attend one of our photo Voter ID drop-ins [LINK]. We can help you register to vote, apply for an accepted form of photo Voter ID, and answer any questions you have about the changes brought about by the Elections Act (2022). Quick Links United Kingdom passport Passport issued by an EEA state or a Commonwealth country National identity card issued by an EEA state UK driving licence Driving licence issued by any of the Channel Islands, the Isle of Man or an EEA state Biometric immigration document Identity card bearing the Proof of Age Standards Scheme hologram (a PASS card) Ministry of Defence Form 90 (Defence Identity Card) Older Person’s Bus Pass, Disabled Person’s Bus Pass, Oyster 60+ Card, Freedom Pass Blue Badge Free Voter Authority Certificate United Kingdom passport A UK passport is available to British citizens and allows them to travel abroad. Adult UK passports are valid for travel for 10 years. However, for London/ UK elections, the expiry date doesn’t matter, if the photo still looks like you as they can be used after the expiry date. Cost Apply Online Requirements Waiting time Information / documents Displays gender £88.50 (Standard fee) £166.50 (fast track service) Yes (documents must be physically sent) Must be a British national (domestic or abroad) or a British Protected Person 10 weeks standard At earliest, two days using fast track service Primary documents are a birth certificate and photo, and for those born after 1982, parental birth certificates. Those born outside the UK may need to supply old passports and other documents. Yes You can begin the application for a British passport online on the government’s website. The process requires original documents (like a birth certificate) to be physically posted for verification, and photocopies or picture copies won’t be accepted. Requirements for supplementary documents vary depending on your personal circumstances, so it’s recommended to read the guidance thoroughly. Renewing a UK passport If you already own a UK passport but it’s expired, then you can apply to renew it online here. The process costs £88.50, and requires you to supply the following: a digital photo a credit or debit card your passport Trans and gender-nonconforming people and passports Following the changes brought about by the Elections Act (2022 photo Voter ID will be checked by polling station staff and voters will not be issued with a ballot paper if they are not recognisable from their photo. Photo ID checks at the polling station will be looking to confirm that the name on your photo ID is the same as your name on the electoral register. Staff will not be checking the gender marker, address or nationality on your ID. For any trans or gender-nonconforming people who have either changed their gender expression since their last passport, had gender confirmation surgery, or legally changed their name, you may need to register to vote, and can apply for a free Voter Authority Certificate if you are concerned that your passport no longer looks like you . For more information, read our advice for trans and gender nonconforming people. This government document lays out information for trans people about changing names, gender, and photos on existing passports, and applying for new ones in what they call your “acquired gender” in this document. Depending on which of the above personal details you have changed, you may need to supply: a Gender Recognition Certificate a new birth or adoption certificate showing your acquired gender a letter from your doctor; or medical consultant confirming your change of legal gender is likely to be permanent If you’re sending a letter from your doctor or medical consultant and you’re changing your name, you’ll also need to supply both of the following: evidence of your change of name (such as a deed poll) evidence that you’re using your new name (for example a pay slip, or a letter from your local council) If you want more information about how the Elections Act (2022) changes affect trans people, read our complete guide which also provides information on how to best ensure that you’re able to vote. A passport issued by an EEA state or a Commonwealth country You can also use a passport from an EEA (European Economic Area) or a Commonwealth Country as photo Voter ID at polling stations. The cost, requirements and waiting times for a passport vary depending on the issuing country. However, passports always display an individual’s gender. For a list of countries in the EEA, click here [LINK]. For a list of Commonwealth countries, click here [REPLACE LINK https://www.electoralcommission.org.uk/media/1834]. Check your eligibility on the Electoral Commission website. A national identity card issued by an EEA state National identity cards are issued to citizens of most EEA countries, except Denmark, Iceland, and Ireland. They are used to exercise freedom of movement (travel between) EEA countries. As national identity cards are issued by individual EEA countries, the costs, waiting times, and required information depend on the issuing country. Most display an individual’ A UK driving licence There are multiple types of driving licence: a provisional driving licence, where driver must be accompanied by a full licence holder when driving, and a full driving licence. Both are valid forms of photo ID for voting in UK elections. The expiry date doesn’t matter if the photo still looks like you . Cost Apply Online Requirements Waiting time Information / documents Displays gender Provisional licence £34 (online) £43 (postal) Provisional licence – yes Full driving licence (no) Provisional licence- be at least 15 years and 9 months old be able to read a number plate from 20 metres away have been given permission to live in Great Britain (England, Scotland and Wales) for at least 185 days. Full driving licence Same as above, you will also need a provisional licencse and have passed your driving test 4 weeks an identity document, such as your passport, addresses where you’ve lived for up to the last 3 years No You can apply for a provisional driving license online here via the DVLA. To apply for a full licence once you’ve passed your driving test, you can apply by post using the information here. A driving licence issued by any of the Channel Islands, the Isle of Man or an EEA state Driving licenses issued by the Channel Islands, the Isle of Man or an EEA state can also be used as photo ID at polling stations. The cost, requirements and waiting times vary, depending on the issuing country. A biometric immigration document This can refer to a biometric residence permit (BRP) or a biometric residence card (BRC) (also known as UK residence cards), which are two separate forms of photo ID. A BRP confirms your right to study and right to any public services or benefits you’re entitled to. You’ll usually get a BRP in certain circumstances like if you apply to come to the UK for longer than 6 months or to extend your visa to longer than 6 months. Biometric residence cards are no longer issued. If you have an expired BRP card that has the same name that you registered to vote, and is recognisable as you from the photo, you can use this as an accepted form of photo Voter ID. Most BRPs will expire on 31 December 2024. The expiry date of your BRP is printed on your permit. You can continue to use your BRP until it expires. You will not be able to use your BRP to prove your immigration status after your BRP has expired. You’ll need to use an eVisa instead. Set up access to your eVisa. An identity card bearing the Proof of Age Standards Scheme hologram (a PASS card) PASS is a proof of age accreditation scheme endorsed by the Home Office. It means that certain photo ID cards that bear the PASS logo are accepted as photo Voter ID to vote in person in elections. The scheme covers a series of different photo ID cards, so the requirements, application process, and information / documents required vary. Most cards cost in the region of £15. You can see a full list of card suppliers on the PASS website. If you want help to apply for your card, you can attend one of our scheduled photo voter ID drop-ins and we can help you through the process. A Ministry of Defence Form 90 (Defence Identity Card) The MOD 90 is an identity card issued to members of the UK armed forces. It allows veterans to confirm their service and identity. It is not issued to civilians. Cost Apply Online Requirements Waiting time Information / documents Displays gender N/A A government portal for older veterans without cards will be launched in 2023/2024 Current or former member of armed forces N/A N/A No Any of the following concessionary travel passes funded by the UK Government: Older Person’s Bus Pass, Disabled Person’s Bus Pass, Oyster 60+ Card, Freedom Pass Certain photo ID travel cards can be used to vote. At the moment, the accepted forms of photo Voter ID are available to older or disabled people. Please note that the 16-25 Railcard, 26-30 Railcard, and student ID card are not accepted as proof of identification for voting. The law specifies the types of documents that are accepted forms of photo ID. These have been decided by the UK Government. The UK Government has provided more information about which forms of photo ID are accepted and which are not, along with the criteria considered. You can find that on https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/voter-identification-at-polling-stations-and-the-new-voter-card/protecting-the-integrity-of-our-elections-voter-identification-at-polling-stations-and-the-new-voter-card Older person’s bus passes are issued by local councils, so there are a wide variety of cards with different application requirements. You can find a link to your local council’s application form or application information by entering your postcode here . Disabled person’s bus passes are issued separately in England, Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland. In England they are administered by councils and other partners. In Wales, and Northern Ireland they are issued nationally. You can find out more information about where to apply in England here[LINK]. Or these sites for those in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. The Oyster 60+ card and Freedom Pass are both issued in London. Oyster 60+ application is issued by Transport for London. Freedom Passes are available in two forms: an older person’s Freedom Pass and a disabled person’s Freedom Pass. They both have different requirements. The older person’s Freedom Pass is aligned to the women’s state pension age (66 years) and issued centrally by London Councils. You can also apply by post. The disabled person’s Freedom Pass requires application via an email to the borough council where the person lives. Type / cost Apply Online Requirements Waiting time Information / documents Displays gender Older person’s bus pass - Free Yes, in most cases Aged 60+ Variable Variable between card issuer: Proof of your address (e.g. a bank statement, utility bill, Council Tax bill (dated within the last 3 months) Proof of your age (e.g. passport, letter of pension entitlement, medical card, birth certificate, driving licence) National Insurance number No, in most cases Disabled person’s bus pass - Free Yes, in most cases Registered disabled Variable Proof of disability, national insurance number, other forums of ID, proof of address No, in most cases Oyster 60+ card - £20 (annual) Yes and via post Aged 60+ and live in London borough 2 weeks Active email address Details from passport or UK driving licence, image of your passport No Freedom Pass (older person) Yes, and via post Aged 60 or over on the 6th of April 2010 or of state pension age and live in London ELIGIBILITY CHECKER HERE Posted within 10 working days Proof of your name and age, proof of your residential address in London, colour photograph of yourself No Freedom Pass (disabled person) No – applications via email Disabled (statutory disabilities listed in the Transport Act 2000) and live in London borough Variable Variable Proof of disability, proof of address, another form of identification No A Blue Badge Blue Badges are a form of photo ID which allow disabled people to use designated parking spaces. We advise reading the page on the government website to see if you meet the eligibility criteria. [LINK] The decision to issue a blue badge is made by your local council. In order to receive your Blue Badge, you must be eligible and submit the relevant documents Cost Apply Online Requirements Waiting time Information / documents Displays gender Up to £10 in England and £20 in Scotland Yes Complex, please read eligibility criteria Up to 12 weeks proof of identity, proof of address, photo of yourself, National Insurance Number (if you have one), proof of benefit, proof of address, proof of identity, other supporting documents No Free Voter Authority Certificate The government has introduced a new form of photo Voter ID which is meant specifically for use in elections called the Voter Authority Certificate. You can use a free Voter Authority Certificate just like one of the other accepted forms of photo ID when you’re voting at a polling station. Unlike many other forms of photo ID like driver’s licences and passports, it’s free to apply for. It’s important to note that you won’t be able to use a Voter Authority Certificate for any other reason than voting in an election. You can apply for a free Voter Authority Certificate via the online portal. Cost Apply Online Requirements Waiting time Information / documents Displays gender Free Yes and via post Eligible to vote in UK elections (you should register to vote here gov.uk/register-to-vote.) Must apply before 5pm, 6 working days before polling day Recent digital photo of yourself National Insurance Number If NIN not available other documentation like bank statements or utility bill No Supported by the Greater London Authority, City Hall, Kamal Chunchie Way, London E16 1ZE. Printed and promoted by LGBT HERO, Unit 74, The Link, 49 Effra Road, London SW2 1BZ Manage Cookie Preferences