Photo ID and Apply for a Voter Authority Certificates
Following a change in the law by the Government, you now need to show photo ID to be able to vote in UK elections.
If you do not bring photo ID with you to the polling station and produce it when asked, then you will not be able to cast your vote.
Watch our Voter ID explainer video, which shows you what will happen when you go to vote. The video was produced for the local elections in 2023 when voter ID was introduced for the first time, but the information is still valid for all UK elections.
You will only need to show one form of photo ID. It needs to be the original version and not a photocopy. You may already have a form of photo ID that is acceptable. You can use any of the following:
- a UK or Northern Ireland photocard driving licence (full or provisional)
- a driving licence issued by an EU country, Norway, Iceland, Liechtenstein, the Isle of Man or any of the Channel Islands
- a UK passport
- a passport issued by an EU country, 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
- 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
Only forms of photo ID on the list above will be accepted. Work issued photo ID cards (e.g by local government, police, NHS etc) and student cards without a PASS mark won't be accepted. If you are unsure if the form of photo ID you plan to use is valid then please contact our elections team by emailing
You can still use your photo ID if it's out of date, as long as it looks like you. The name on your ID should be the same name you used to register to vote.
If you don’t already have an accepted form of photo ID, or you’re not sure whether your photo ID still looks like you, you can apply for a free voter ID document, known as a Voter Authority Certificate.
The photo ID requirement will be in force for the next UK General Election which must be held sometime before January 2025. You can apply for a Voter Authority Certificate at any time, you do not need to wait for an election to be called.
Apply for a free voter authority certificate on GOV.UK.
Applying for a Voter Authority Certificate online is the fastest way to get voter photo ID if you do not already have an accepted form of photo ID. If you cannot use the online system, then please visit our Customer Contact Centres in Evesham, Droitwich or Pershore and our customer service staff will be happy to help you.
Find out the opening times of Wychavon's Customer Contact Centres.
You can also call our elections team to request a paper application form by calling 01386 565437 between 9am and 5pm Monday to Friday.
When applying for a Voter Authority Certificate you will need to supply us with some basic details and a photograph. Watch our how to take a photo for your Voter Authority Certificate video to help you get it right.
If you have any general questions about the introduction of Voter ID then please visit the Electoral Commission Voter ID page, or call their helpline on 0800 328 0280.
If you need help with applying for Voter ID or have a specific query about Voter ID, then call our elections team on 01386 565437 between 9am to 5pm Monday to Friday.