# Voter ID Requirements

Accepted forms of photo ID for voting in the UK

# Great Britain

England, Scotland and Wales

Voters in England, Scotland and Wales have been required to show photo ID to vote at polling stations in some elections since 2023.

The requirement to present a photo ID before voting applies to:

UK parliamentary elections, including general elections, by-elections and recall petitions (applicable England, Scotland & Wales)
Police and Crime Commissioner elections (applicable England & Wales only)
Local & Mayoral elections and by-elections (applicable to England only)

Voters in Wales do not need to show photo ID to vote at Senedd elections or local council elections.

Voters in Scotland do not need to show photo ID to vote at Scottish Parliament elections or at council elections.

Read about Voter ID requirements in Northern Ireland.

Prove your identity before voting at polling station

# GB Voter ID list

Accepted forms of photo ID in England, Scotland and Wales

You have to show one form of photo ID before voting. It needs to be the original document - a copy won't be accepted. You can still use your photo ID if it's expired, as long as your likeness hasn't changed too much. The name on your ID should match the name you used to register to vote.

You can use any of the following photo ID documents when voting at a polling station:

UK IDs

Passport issued by the UK, any of the Channel Islands, the Isle of Man or a British Overseas Territory
Driving licence (including provisional) issued by the UK, any of the Channel Islands or the Isle of Man
ID card bearing the Proof of Age Standards Scheme hologram (a PASS card) e.g. a CitizenCard or Young Scot card
Electoral Identity Card issued in Northern Ireland
Biometric immigration document
Ministry of Defence Form 90 (Defence Identity Card)
Voter Authority Certificate
Anonymous Elector's Document

European & Commonwealth IDs

Passport issued by a European Economic Area state or a Commonwealth country (including an Irish Passport Card)
Driving licence (including provisional) issued by a European Economic Area state
National identity card issued by a European Economic Area state

Transport IDs

A Blue Badge
Older Person's Bus Pass funded by the UK Government
Disabled Person's Bus Pass funded by the UK Government
Oyster 60+ Card funded by the UK Government
Freedom Pass
Scottish National Entitlement Card issued for the purpose of concessionary travel (including a 60+, disabled or under 22s bus pass)
60 and Over Welsh Concessionary Travel Card
Disabled Person's Welsh Concessionary Travel Card
Senior SmartPass issued in Northern Ireland
Registered Blind SmartPass or Blind Person's SmartPass issued in Northern Ireland
War Disablement SmartPass issued in Northern Ireland
60+ SmartPass issued in Northern Ireland
Half Fare SmartPass issued in Northern Ireland

Don't have an accepted form of photo ID?

Apply for a free Voter ID

# NI

Northern Ireland

Voters in Northern Ireland have been required to show ID since 1985 and photo ID since 2003 at polling stations.

The requirement to present a photo ID before voting applies to:

UK parliamentary elections, including general elections, by-elections and recall petitions
Northern Ireland Assembly elections
Local elections and by-elections

Read about Voter ID requirements in England, Scotland & Wales.

# NI Voter ID list

Accepted forms of photo ID in Northern Ireland

You have to show one form of photo ID before voting. It needs to be the original document, a copy won't be accepted. You can still use your photo ID if it's expired, as long as your likeness hasn't changed too much. The name on your ID should match the name you used to register to vote.

You can use any of the following photo ID documents when voting at a polling station:

UK IDs

Passport issued by the UK, any of the Channel Islands, the Isle of Man or a British Overseas Territory
Biometric Immigration Document
Electoral Identity Card

European IDs

Passport issued by Ireland or any country in the European Union (EU passports are not accepted at UK Parliamentary elections)
Driving licence (including provisional) issued by a European Economic Area state