Voter I.D. frequently asked questions

What photo I.D. is accepted? 

• A passport issued by the UK, any of the Channel Islands, Isle of Man, a British Overseas Territory, an EEA state or a Commonwealth country
• A driving licence issued by the UK, any of the Channel Islands, the Isle of Man or an EEA state (includes a provisional driving licence)
• A biometric immigration document (commonly known as a Biometric Residence Permit)
• An identity card bearing the Proof of Age Standards Scheme hologram (a PASS card)
• Ministry of Defence Form 90 (Defence Identity Card)
• A Blue Badge
• A national identity card issued by the EEA state
• An Older Person’s Bus Pass
• A Disabled Person’s Bus Pass
• An Oyster 60+ Card
• A Freedom Pass
• A Scottish National Entitlement Card issued in Scotland
• A 60 and Over Welsh Concessionary Travel Card issued in Wales
• A Disabled Person's Welsh Concessionary Travel Card issued in Wales
• A Senior SmartPass issued in Northern Ireland
• A Registered Blind SmartPass or Blind Person's SmartPass issued in Northern Ireland
• A War Disablement SmartPass or War Disabled SmartPass issued in Northern Ireland
• A 60+ SmartPass issued in Northern Ireland
• Half Fare SmartPass issued in Northern Ireland
• An Electoral Identity Card issued in Northern Ireland

I want a free Voter Authority Certificate (VAC) - what should I do?

You should only apply for a free ID card if you don’t have any of the accepted forms of ID already. 

If you're not sure, check the list above, which shows all of the accepted forms of I.D. 

If you don't have an accepted form of photo I.D. you can apply for a voter authority certificate.

• Visit the Government website to apply for a Voter Authority Certificate online
• Request a paper application online
• Contact us on 01530 454512 or email electreg@nwleicestershire.gov.uk to ask us to send a paper copy to your address
• If you need assistance in person, please contact us on 01530 454512 so we can arrange an appointment for you

VAC applications must be made by 5pm on Tuesday 25 April. 

Can I use my work pass, my student card or my railcard? 

No. These forms of ID are not on the accepted list of I.D. 

Please see the full list of accepted I.D. on this page. 

If you don't have an accepted form of photo I.D. you can apply for a Voter Authority Certificate.

My photo I.D. has expired - what should I do?

You may still use an expired form of ID, as long as the image is still a good likeness to yourself. 

I don't want to vote in a polling station - what can I do?

Vote by post

• You can apply to vote by post until 5pm on Tuesday 18 April
• Application forms can be downloaded here
• Please contact us if you need us to post out a paper application form - 01530 454512 or email electreg@nwleicestershire.gov.uk 

Vote by proxy

Voting by proxy is when you nominate someone else to vote on your behalf. 

• You can apply to vote by proxy until 5pm on Tuesday 25 April
• Please contact us if you need us to post out a paper application form - 01530 454512 or email electreg@nwleicestershire.gov.uk

Do I need photo I.D. to vote by post?

No. You are not required to provide I.D. when voting by post. This includes if you hand your postal vote in at a polling station. 

Voting by proxy - will nominated people need photo I.D.? 

Yes. They will need to provide their own photo ID to vote on behalf of someone else. 

If you are voting on someone else's behalf, you do not need to show the I.D. of the person you are voting on behalf of. 

My name on the electoral register is different to the name on my photo I.D. - what should I do?

The decision on whether I.D. bearing a different name or an alternative spelling of a name from the one on the register can be accepted will be at the discretion of the polling station staff, who must be satisfied that the identification provided is acceptable.

If your name has changed, for example through marriage, you may be required to provide further proof of identity, such as a marriage certificate, providing evidence of a name change. We would advise taking this with you to the polling station.

If you're concerned, please contact us on 01530 454512 or email electreg@nwleicestershire.gov.uk

Voter Authority Certificates 

What is a Voter Authority Certificate?

A Voter Authority Certificate (VAC) is a free voter I.D. document which you can apply for if you don’t have an accepted form of photographic I.D.

It is valid for 10 years and can be used even if you move house. 

How do I apply for a VAC?

If you don't have an accepted form of photo I.D. you can apply for a voter authority certificate.

• Visit the Government website to apply for a Voter Authority Certificate online
• Request a paper application online
• Contact us on 01530 454512 or email electreg@nwleicestershire.gov.uk to ask us to send a paper copy to your address
• If you need assistance in person, please contact us on 01530 454512 so we can arrange an appointment for you

When is the deadline for applying for a VAC?

5pm on Tuesday 25 April. 

What are the photo requirements when applying for a VAC?

These are similar to passport requirements. 

• Clear shot of head and shoulders
• Facing forward
• No objects / other people in the photo
• No sunglasses or head coverings (except for medical or religious reasons)
• Neutral background 

If you submit an image that is not acceptable, we will contact you to ask for a new photo.

I can't provide a digital photo - what should I do? 

You can apply for a VAC using a paper application. You will then be able to supply a physical photo with your application.

I can’t provide any photo because I don’t have a camera

In this instance, please ask if a family or friend can take one for you. If this is not possible, we can take one for you - Please contact us on 01530 454512 or email electreg@nwleicestershire.gov.uk to arrange an appointment. 

How will I receive my VAC?

A central printing company will send this directly to your address in the post. They are estimated to be dispatched within 1-2 days of the application being processed.

I want to collect my VAC 

You may request this when applying. You must have a valid reason to do so. You will be notified of when and where you can collect the document. It may only be collected by you in person.