Voter ID (Elections Act 2022)

Individuals are now required to show photo ID, such as a passport or photocard driver's licence, when they vote at their polling station.

The UK Government is changing how we vote and conduct elections through The Elections Act 2022. 

You will have to show photographic identification if you are one of the following:

  • a voter visiting a polling station to vote
  • a proxy voter who is visiting a polling station to vote on someone's behalf

Accepted forms of photo ID

Passport 

Issued by one of the following:

  • the UK, 
  • any of the Channel Islands
  • the Isle of Man
  • a British Overseas Territory 
  • an EEA state
  • Commonwealth country

Driving licence

Issued by one of the following:

  • UK
  • any of the Channel Islands 
  • the Isle of Man
  • an EEA state

Other acceptable forms of photo ID

  • biometric immigration document
  • identity card bearing the Proof of Age Standards Scheme hologram (a PASS card)
  • Ministry of Defence Form 90 (Defence Identity Card)
  • Blue Badge
  • national identity card issued by an EEA state
  • older person's bus pass
  • disabled person's bus pass
  • Oyster 60+ Card
  • Freedom Pass
  • Scottish National Entitlement Card issued in Scotland
  • 60 and over Welsh Concessionary Travel Card issued in Wales
  • disabled person's Welsh Concessionary Travel Card issued in Wales
  • 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
  • Electoral Identity Card issued in Northern Ireland 

Expired documents will be accepted as suitable photo ID, so long as the photograph is still a good likeness.

If you visit your polling station without an acceptable form of photo ID, you will not be issued a ballot paper, even if you appear on the electoral register. We will advise you to return with one of the accepted forms of photo ID listed above.

If you do not have one of the accepted forms of photo ID

You can apply for a Voter Authority Certificate from the UK Government website. This document will contain your name and photograph, and you can obtain it for free in one of three ways:

Apply online

You can apply online using the government portal and upload a suitable photograph to apply for your Voter Authority Certificate. 

Apply now

Write to us

Please fill in this application form. We will check you are registered at your property and are aware of other accepted forms of ID. 

Completed applications should include a suitable photograph. Please return to:

electoralservices@north-norfolk.gov.uk

or

Electoral Services
North Norfolk District Council
Holt Road
Cromer
NR27 9EN 

In-person

By visiting our offices in either Cromer or Fakenham. Our Customer Services staff will take you through the registration process and take a suitable photograph if required. 

Deadline for applications

Any applications received before a deadline can be processed after the deadline up to the day of the election, so long as the application was complete and contained all the required information.

Postal voting

You can apply for a postal vote if you wish to refrain from showing photo ID at the polling station.

Electors who wish to vote by post do not need to provide photographic identification to receive their ballot paper. It applies to current postal voters and any new applicants who apply for a postal vote ahead of the deadline.

Apply for a postal vote 

Related content

Further information on the wider aspects of the Elections Act 2022:

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