From 4 May 2023 onwards, all voters will be required to show an accepted form of photographic identification (photo ID) at a polling station before they are given a ballot paper.
The Government introduced this law in the Elections Act 2022, and it will take effect for the first time in England on 4 May 2023 and will affect all voters who vote in person or by proxy at the next local elections on Thursday 4 May 2023. You will not be required to provide photo ID for voting by post.
Voter ID Plain Text Guide [214kb]
Voter ID Easy Read Guide [1Mb]
Acceptable forms of Photo ID
The accepted forms of ID at polling stations are:-
- Passport issued by the UK, any of the Channel Islands, the Isle of Man, A British Overseas Territory, an EEA state, or a Commonwealth country
- Photocard driving licence (includes a provisional licence) issued by the UK, any of the Channel Islands, the Isle of Man or EEA state
- Biometric immigration document
- Identity card bearing the Proof of Age Standards Scheme hologram (a PASS card)
- Ministry of Defence Form 90 (Defence Identity Card)
- Blue Badge scheme photocard parking permit
- National identity card issued by an EEA state
- Older Person's Bus Pass / Concessionary Travel pass/card (in Lincolnshire, this is the Older person or Disability bus pass issued by Lincolnshire County Council)
- a Disabled Person's Bus Pass
- an Oyster 60+ Card
- Freedom Pass
- Electoral Identity Card for Northern Ireland
- Scottish National Entitlement Card issued in Scotland
- 60 and Over Welsh Concessionary Travel Card issued in Wales
- Disabled Person's Welsh Concessionary Travel Card issued in Wales
- Senior SmartPass issued in Northern Ireland
- Registered Blind SmartPass or Blind Person's SmartPass issued in Northern Ireland
- War Disablement SmartPass issued in Northern Ireland
- 60+ SmartPass issued in Northern Ireland
- Half Fare SmartPass issued in Northern Ireland
- Electoral Identity Card issued in Northern Ireland
- Voter Authority Certificate (for those without other photo ID) - applications can be made online at http://www.gov.uk/apply-for-photo-id-voter-authority-certificate or by a paper form. Further information provided below.
- Anonymous Elector Document - email the elections team or calling on 01476 406080 to find out how to apply for this type of document
Voters must bring a suitable form of photographic ID to their polling station.
Expired ID can still be used as long as the photo remains a good likeness of you.
Only original documents will be accepted, scanned images or copies will not be accepted.
What if you don't have one of these forms of ID?
If you do not have any of these accepted photo ID documents and want to vote at the polling station, you will need to apply for Voter Authority Certificate - a free photographic identification document specific for the purposes of voting.
The deadline for applying for a Voter Authority Certificate for the elections being held on 4 May 2023 is 5pm on Tuesday 25 April 2023.
Apply for a Voter Authority Certificate
If you do not have any of these Acceptable forms of photo ID and want to vote at the polling station, you can need to apply for Voter Authority Certificate. Applications must be made by 5pm on Tuesday 25 April 2023 to be effective for the elections taking place on 4 May 2023.
Apply for Voter Authority CertificateWhen you apply, you will need the following
1. A passport quality photograph;
2. Your National Insurance Number; and
3. Your date of birth
Can I apply using a paper form?
You can also submit an application on a paper application form.
A copy of the paper application form can also be requested by emailing the elections team or calling on 01476 406080; or
What if I need assistance in completing an application?
If you can't apply online and need assistance you can apply in person to South Kesteven District Council. Contact the Elections Team to make an appointment - email elections@southkesteven.gov.uk or call 01476 406080.
Frequently asked questions - Voter ID and Elections 2023
What forms of ID are acceptable as Voter ID?
You can use any of the following accepted forms of photo ID when voting at a polling station.
- Passport (issued by the UK, any of the Channel Islands, the Isle of Man, a British Overseas Territory, an EEA state or a Commonwealth country)
- Driving licence (issued by the UK, any of the Channel Islands, the Isle of Man, or an EEA state)
- A Blue Badge
- Older Person's Bus Pass
- Disabled Person's Bus Pass
- Oyster 60+ Card
- Freedom Pass
- Scottish National Entitlement Card
- 60 and Over Welsh Concessionary Travel Card
- Disabled Person's Welsh Concessionary Travel Card
- Senior SmartPass issued in Northern Ireland
- Registered Blind SmartPass or Blind Person's SmartPass issued in Northern Ireland
- War Disablement SmartPass issued in Northern Ireland
- 60+ SmartPass issued in Northern Ireland
- Half Fare SmartPass issued in Northern Ireland
- Identity card bearing the Proof of Age Standards Scheme hologram (a PASS card)
- Biometric immigration document
- Ministry of Defence Form 90 (Defence Identity Card)
- National identity card issued by an EEA state
- Electoral Identity Card issued in Northern Ireland
- Voter Authority Certificate
- Anonymous Elector's Document
Can I use out of date ID?
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.
Can I use a photocopy of my ID, or a photo of my ID on my phone?
No - you must bring the original ID with you to vote at the polling station. We cannot accept copies, or photographs of ID.
What if I haven't got an acceptable form of ID?
You can apply for a free voter ID document, known as a Voter Authority Certificate, if:
- you don't have an accepted form of photo ID
- you're not sure whether your photo ID still looks like you
- you're worried about using an existing form of ID for any other reason
You need to register to vote before applying for a Voter Authority Certificate.
What if you can't produce photo ID and don't want to apply for a Voter Authority Certificate?
Voters who do not produce a Voter Authority Certificate, or valid photo ID will not be allowed to vote at a polling station.
Voters who vote by post will not have to provide photo ID to vote.
What is the deadline to apply for a free voter ID for the elections in May?
If you need to apply for a voter ID, you need to make the application by 5.00pm on Tuesday 25 April 2023.
What happens on polling day 4 May 2023?
Elections will take place as usual.
Your Poll Card will advise you which Polling Station you should go to cast your vote, on polling day, between 7am and 10pm.
Because of the need to check ID, you should anticipate the process of receiving your ballot paper taking a little longer than usual and the possibility of short queues forming at busy times.
No personal details will be taken from the ID you use.
What if a voter is transgender or non-binary and hasn't got ID with the correct name or photo?
You can apply for a free voter ID document, known as a Voter Authority Certificate. For this document, you provide an up to date photograph.
Your name on the electoral register can be updated by providing evidence of a name change - such as a deed poll. To do this, you should contact us.
My photo ID is in an old name - what do I do?
Your ID in your former name is still acceptable (as long as it still looks like you) but you'll need to bring evidence of your name change (e.g. marriage certificate or deed poll) to the polling station as well.
If you've changed name recently, you should update your name on the electoral register by emailing us evidence of your name change.
I'm registered to vote anonymously - how does voter ID work for me?
If you're registered to vote anonymously and want to vote in person, you'll need to apply for an Anonymous Electors Document.
Find out more about registering to vote anonymously and how to vote anonymously.
What if I can't get online or need support with my application?
If you can't get online and want to request a paper application form, please contact us.
If you need assistance to apply, you can make an appointment to get help at the Council Offices in Grantham - contact the elections team on 01476 406080.
I'm a postal voter - do I need ID now?
No - you won't need to present any ID as your identification is verified by your signature and date of birth
If you want to apply to vote by post, download a form or you can request a form by emailing the elections team or calling on 01476 406080.
The deadline for applying for postal vote is 5pm on Tuesday 18 April 2023.
I'm not registered to vote, what do I do?
If you're not registered, you can apply online. if you also need to apply for a voter ID, register first and then make a voter ID application. You can do these at the same time, as long as you register to vote first.
How can I check if I'm registered to vote?
If you recieve a poll card for the elections on 4 May 2023, then you are registered to vote. If you are not sure if you are registered (especially if you have changed address recently) then you can email us (including your current address) or call the elections team on 01476 406080 .
I have lost my photo ID and the deadline to apply for a voter ID has now passed. What do I do?
If you have lost your ID and it is after 25 April 2023, you can apply for an emergency proxy vote. In order to do this, you should email us or phone the elections team on 01476 406080 and we will discuss this option with you and get the correct forms to you.
When will my voter ID expire? Do I need to re-apply if I change address?
The free voter ID (also known as a voter authority certificate) dosen't have an expiry date - but we expect them to last roughly 10 years, as you will need to continue to look like the photograph. You don't need to re-apply for a voter ID if you change address - you can still use the ID you have. You will just need to register to vote if you have changed address.