What types of photo ID can I use?
You can use any of the following. They must be original documents, not a photocopy.
- a UK or Northern Ireland photocard driving licence (full or provisional)
- a driving licence issued by the EU, Norway, Iceland, Liechtenstein, the Isle of Man or any of the Channel Islands
- a UK passport
- a passport issued by the EU, Norway, Iceland, Liechtenstein, or a Commonwealth country
- a PASS card (National Proof of Age Standards Scheme)
- a Blue Badge
- a biometric residence permit (BRP)
- a Defence Identity Card (MOD form 90)
- a national identity card issued by the EU, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein
- a Northern Ireland Electoral Identity Card
- a Voter Authority Certificate
- an Anonymous Elector’s Document
You can also use one of the following travel passes as photo ID when you vote:
- an older person’s bus pass
- a disabled person’s bus pass
- an Oyster 60+ card
- a Freedom Pass
- a Scottish National Entitlement Card (NEC)
- a 60 and Over Welsh Concessionary Travel Card
- a Disabled Person’s Welsh Concessionary Travel Card
- a Northern Ireland concessionary travel pass
The photo on your ID must look like you. You can still use your ID even if it has expired.
I don’t have photo ID but I want to vote – what should I do?
You can apply for a Voter Authority Certificate. It’s free to apply for. You’ll need a photo of yourself and your National Insurance number.
You can apply online or by post. You can apply if you don’t have a National Insurance number, but you will need additional documents to prove your identity.
What else do I need to do to be able to vote in the local elections?
Register to vote
If you haven’t registered to vote before, have moved house since the last time you voted, or have changed your name, you need to register to vote by 11.59pm on Monday 17 April 2023. You can register to vote on gov.uk.
If you’ve already registered to vote previously, you don’t need to register again, unless your name or address has changed.
Check your poll card to find out where your polling station is
You’ll be sent a poll card before the election telling you when and where to vote. You can only vote at the location mentioned on your poll card, but you don’t need to bring the poll card with you. You can still vote if you’ve lost the card.
If you haven’t received a poll card, but you think you should have, contact your local Electoral Registration Office.
How to vote in person
Polling stations are open from 7am to 10pm on Thursday 4 May. When you get to the polling station, you will need to give your name and address, and you will need to show photo ID.
The photo ID needs to be one of the documents listed above.
How to vote by post
If you want to vote by post, you need to have registered to do this by 5pm on Tuesday 18 April. You also need to make sure you fill out and post your voting form with enough time to make sure it gets back to your local council by 10pm on Thursday 4 May.
What to do if you want someone you trust to vote on your behalf (vote by proxy)
Voting by proxy means allowing someone you trust to vote on your behalf. You’ll need to let that person know which candidate you want to vote for in advance.
You can only apply to vote by proxy if you meet certain criteria, such as having an illness or disability which means you can’t attend a polling station in person. You can find out if you’re eligible on gov.uk. You can register to vote by proxy until the deadline of 5pm on Tuesday 25 April.
