Voter ID

Voter ID requirements from May 2023

From May 2023 as part of the Elections Act 2022, if you want to vote in person, including those acting as a proxy on behalf of another individual, you will need to bring an accepted form of identification (ID) to the polling station to get your ballot papers. Voters who do not produce a Voter Authority Certificate, or valid photo identification will not be allowed to vote on the day.

The deadline to apply for a Voter Authority Certificate for the UK Parliamentary Election is 5pm Wednesday 26 June. 

Acceptable forms of photographic ID

Some examples of acceptable ID:

  • Passport issued by the UK, any of the Channel Islands, the Isle of Man, a British Overseas Territory, an EEA state or Commonwealth country
  • Photographic driving licence issued by the UK, Channel Islands, the Isle of Man, or an EEA state (including provisional driving licence)
  • European Economic Area (EEA) photographic ID card
  • UK biometric residence permit
  • Identity card bearing the Proof of Age Standards Scheme hologram (PASS card)
  • Blue badge

View the full list of acceptable photographic ID on the government website.

You will still be able to use ID that has expired provided the photograph still shows likeness. 

Only original documents are accepted. Scanned images, photocopies or pictures on a device such as a mobile phone will not be accepted.

No suitable photo ID?

If you do not have one of the accepted forms of photo ID, you can apply for a Voter Authority Certificate. This is a free photographic identification document specifically for voting.

To get a Voter Authority Certificate you can:

Cheltenham Borough Council is open Monday to Friday* from 9am to 5pm. *Wednesdays from 10am to 5pm. We are closed during bank holidays.

We will accept scanned copies of the paper applications for Voter Authority Certificates sent via email to [email protected]. Paper applications may also be posted or handed in to the council offices. Please note that you need to have your National Insurance Number to apply. 

Postal votes

If you have a postal vote, you will not be required to supply photo ID and you will be issued with your postal ballot papers as usual. If you would prefer to vote by post, you can apply for a postal vote.

More information

For more information please visit our voter ID frequently asked questions page or go to the Electoral Commission voter ID pages.

See our animation on Voter ID requirements