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Voter ID

From May 2023, if you wish to vote in person at the polling station (including those acting as a proxy on behalf of another person) you will need to present an accepted form of photographic ID to prove your identity. If you don't have accepted photo ID, you can apply for a free voter ID document, which is known as a Voter Authority Certificate.

This will apply at:

  • UK parliamentary elections (the requirement for voter ID to be provided at a UK parliamentary general election will only take effect for polls after 5 October 2023)
  • Police and Crime Commissioner elections
  • local government elections in England
  • referendums

Types of Voter ID accepted

You must present one of the following forms of photographic identification to vote in person at a polling station:

  • Passport issued by the UK, any of the Channel Islands, the Isle of Man, a British Overseas Territory, an EEA state or a Commonwealth country
  • Driving licence issued by the UK, 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)
  • 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 or War Disabled 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
  • Voter Authority Certificate or a temporary Voter Authority Certificate

Expired photographic identification documents can still be used as accepted photographic ID at the polling station if the photograph is still a good likeness of you.

If you do not have any of the above forms of photographic identification, you can apply to our Electoral Services Office for a free Voter Authority Certificate. This is an A4 document containing an elector’s name and photograph.

This certificate can only be used for voting in person at a polling station.

Voter Authority Certificate

Before you apply for a Voter Authority Certificate, you must:

  • already be registered to vote
  • not be a current registered postal voter (Voter ID only applies to electors voting in person at a polling station)
  • check the accepted photographic ID list above

Electors can apply for a Voter Authority Certificate:

When applying for a Voter Authority Certificate, you will need to provide your: 

  • Name
  • Date of birth 
  • Address
  • National Insurance number 
  • a recent photograph (if you do not have a photograph please contact us via the details above)

Anonymous Registration

Anonymous registration is available to electors whose safety would be at risk if their name or address were listed on the electoral register. 

Registered anonymous electors wishing to vote in person at the polling station only need to present an Anonymous Elector's Document. This is a document containing the anonymous elector number and photograph, which is issued by the Electoral Services Office following verification of a person’s identity. Anonymous electors cannot use other forms of photographic ID. Anonymous electors will still also be required to produce their poll card when voting in person.

For any questions about Voter ID, please email us at elections@gloucester.gov.uk or call 01452 396203.