If you wish to vote in person at the polling station (including those acting as a proxy on behalf of another person) you will now need to present an accepted form of physical photographic ID to prove your identity.
This will apply at:
- UK Parliamentary elections
- Police and Crime Commissioner elections
- local government elections in England
- referendums
Types of photo ID accepted
You must present one of the following forms of physical photographic identification to vote in person 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
- 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
- National identity card issued by an EEA state
- Older Person’s Bus Pass
- Disabled Person’s Bus Pass
- Oyster 60+ Card
- Freedom Pass
- 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 or War Disabled 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 or a temporary Voter Authority Certificate
View examples of photo ID (PDF, 573.81 KB).
Expired physical photographic identification documents can still be used as accepted photographic ID at the polling station if the photograph is still a good likeness of you.
If you do not have any of the above forms of photographic identification, you can apply to our Electoral Services Office for a free Voter Authority Certificate. This is an A4 document containing an elector’s name and photograph. This physical certificate will need to be presented to poll staff when you go to cast your vote at the polling station.
This certificate can only be used for voting in person at a polling station.
Photo ID presented from your mobile or tablet device will not be accepted.
How to apply for a Voter Authority Certificate
Electors can apply for a Voter Authority Certificate:
- online at GOV.UK
- by emailing elections@enfield.gov.uk or calling 020 3821 1813 to request a paper application form
- in person at the Electoral Services Office, Civic Centre, Silver Street, Enfield, EN1 3XA. Please call to book an appointment. You will be advised to report to the main business desk on arrival and ask to see an Electoral Services Officer. You will be guided to a privacy room where the registration process will take place.
Before you apply, you must:
- already be registered to vote
- not be a current registered postal voter (Voter ID only applies to electors voting in person at a polling station)
- check the accepted photographic ID list above
Anonymous registration
Anonymous registration is available to electors whose safety would be at risk if their name or address were listed on the electoral register. To find out more information about qualifying for anonymous registration, see registering to vote.
Registered anonymous electors wishing to vote in person at the polling station only need to present an Anonymous Elector's Document. This is a document containing the anonymous elector number and photograph, which is issued by the Electoral Services Office following verification of a person’s identity. Anonymous electors cannot use other forms of photographic ID. Anonymous electors will still also be required to produce their poll card when voting in person.
Introduction of voter ID
Voter ID will apply in England at elections from Thursday 4 May 2023.