Registering and voting

For UK Parliament general elections and Recall Petitions there are new rules which require voters to show photo ID when they vote at polling stations. This requirement does not apply at Scottish parliament or council elections.

The majority of voters will already have an acceptable form of Voter ID and we have listed below some of the main types of ID which will be accepted. 

Acceptable Voter ID

Passport issued by

• United Kingdom
• Channel Islands
• Isle of Man
• A British Overseas Territory
• A state within the European Economic Area (EEA)
• A Commonwealth Country (including an Irish Passport Card) 

Driving Licence (including provisional licence) issued by

• United Kingdom
• Channel Islands
• Isle of Man
• A state within the European Economic Area (EEA)

Other acceptable forms of ID

• Blue Badge
• National Entitlement Card (concessionary bus pass)
• Identity card with the PASS mark (Young Scot Card)
• Biometric immigration document
• Ministry of Defence Form 90 (defence identity card)

You can use one of the acceptable forms of photo ID even if they are expired, but the photo must still look like you. The can see the full list of accepted forms of photographic ID and more information on the Electoral Commission's website.

Quick guide to voting: Which forms of photo ID can you use to vote in Scotland?

Information in other formats

You can get voter ID requirements information in other formats from the Electoral Commission including:

• audio
• Braille
• BSL
• easy read
• plain text

Free voter ID

If you do not have an accepted form of photo ID, you can apply for a free Voter ID online, known as a Voter Authority Certificate. If you live in the UK, you can also apply for this by post. After you have filled in the form, send it to the electoral registration office.

Quick guide to voting: Applying for a Voter Authority Certificate

Electoral Commission voter ID videos

The Electoral Commission has also produced a suite of quick guide videos in BSL, including:

• BSL: Registering to vote
• BSL: Which elections require photo ID, and which forms of ID can I use to vote?
• BSL: How to apply for free voter ID, if you need it

Showing ID as an anonymous elector

If you are registered to vote anonymously and wish to vote in person at the polling station, you must apply for an anonymous elector’s document. The Electoral Commission has more information on how to vote anonymously.