Voter ID and Elections Act 2022

Find out how the Elections Act 2022 will affect you.

Voter ID

Under the Elections Act 2022, all voters need to show an accepted form of photographic ID to vote in person at a polling station.

Voter ID has been introduced at elections by the UK government to make polling station voting more secure.

How Voter ID works

Everyone voting in person at a polling station needs to show an accepted form of photographic ID before they receive their ballot paper.

Photo ID is not required if you choose to vote by post.

What ID you’ll need to show

The UK government have decided on the list of acceptable photo ID. If you choose to vote in person at your allocated polling station, You’ll need to bring one of the following items with you:

  • Passport issued by UK, Channel Islands, Isle of Man, a British Overseas Territory, EU/EEA state or Commonwealth country.
  • Driving licence (or provisional driving licence) issued by UK, Channel Islands, Isle of Man or EU/EEA state
  • Biometric Immigration Document
  • Pass Card (ID card bearing Proof of Age Standards Scheme hologram)
  • Defence Identity Card (Ministry of Defence Form 90)
  • Blue Badge
  • National Identity Card issued by an EU/EEA state
  • Older Persons Bus Pass
  • Disabled Person's Bus Pass
  • Oyster 60+ Card
  • Freedom Pass

Only original documents will be accepted.

Expired photo ID will be permitted as long as the photograph still looks like you.

The name on your ID must be the same name you used to register to vote. Please let us know if you need to change your name on the electoral register.

If you don’t have an acceptable form of photographic ID, you can apply for a free Voter Authority Certificate.

Voter Authority Certificate 

A Voter Authority Certificate (VAC) is a free photographic identification document which can be used to vote in person at a polling station. VACs cannot be used as proof of identification for any other reason.

You can apply for a VAC online at GOV.UK, in person at Lambeth Town Hall, or by post.

If you would like to apply for a VAC, you’ll need:

• a recent, digital photograph of yourself

• your National Insurance number

If you don't have a National Insurance Number, you will need other documents to prove your identity. For example, a birth certificate, bank statement, or utility bill.

The deadline for Voter Authority Certificate applications for use in the Mayor of London and London Assembly Elections is Wednesday 24 April 2024 at 5pm.

Apply for a Voter Authority Certificate online 

Apply for a VAC in person

You can complete an application for a VAC in person at Lambeth Town Hall with a member of the Electoral Services team.

We will take a photograph of your head and shoulders during the appointment.

Request an in person VAC application appointment

Apply for a VAC by post

If you would like to apply by post you can download a paper application form.

You must enclose a photograph with your paper VAC application form. Please write your name and postcode on the back of your photograph.  Do not stick your photograph to the form.

Send your completed form and photograph to:

London Borough of Lambeth
PO Box 80771
London
SW2 9QQ

If you cannot download and print the application form, you can ask for a paper application form to be sent to you by post.

Request a paper VAC application form by post

For further information, visit Voter ID on The Electoral Commission website.