Voter ID

In 2022, the UK Government introduced a requirement for voters to show photo ID when voting at a polling station at most elections.

You will only need to show one form of photo ID, but it needs to be the original version and not a photocopy or picture on a smartphone.

Acceptable forms of ID include:

• passport
• driving licence (including provisional license)
• blue badge
• certain concessionary travel cards
• identity card with PASS mark (Proof of Age Standards Scheme)
• biometric immigration document
• defence identity card
• certain national identity cards

Voters can use expired ID if they are still recognisable from the photo.

Voter Authority Certificates

Anyone who does not have one of the acceptable forms of ID can apply for free ID online - known as a Voter Authority Certificate. You can make an application online on the electoral commission website, or by completing a paper form and sending it to West Berkshire Council's electoral services team.

If you need any help with applying for the free ID or want to request an application form, contact the electoral services team by calling 01635 519464 or emailing vote@westberks.gov.uk.

Anyone who wants to have their say in elections must also be registered to vote. It only takes five minutes to register online on the GOV.UK website. Voters wishing to apply to their council for free ID should first make sure they are registered to vote.

You can find out more about registering to vote, and voting by post or proxy on our 'registering to vote and postal voting' page.
 

More information

You can find out more about this on our Frequently Asked Questions page and by visiting The Electoral Commission - Voter ID page.

If you can't find what you're looking for you can contact our Elections team on 01635 519464 or emailing vote@westberks.gov.uk.