FAQ's
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Can I use out of date ID?
You can still use your photo ID if it's out of date, as long as it looks like you.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, such as the use of a gender marker
You need to register to vote before applying for a Voter Authority Certificate.
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.
You can apply online here: Apply for photo ID to vote (called a ‘Voter Authority Certificate’) - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)
What if a voter is trans 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 email elections@stoke.gov.uk. The electoral register does not hold information on gender.
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 evidence of your name change to elections@stoke.gov.uk.
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 here: How to vote anonymously | Electoral Commission.
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 Civic Centre by calling 01782 233800.
I'm a postal voter - do I need ID now?
No - postal voters won't need to show or provide ID at these elections.
If you want to apply to vote by post, download a form here: Apply to vote by post | Electoral Commission.
I'm not registered to vote, what do I do?
If you're not registered, you can register to vote online here: Register to vote - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)
If you also need to apply for a voter ID, you must register to vote first and then make a voter ID application afterwards.
How can I check if I'm registered to vote?
In March, if you receive a poll card for the elections on Thursday 4 May 2023 then you are registered to vote.
If you haven't had a poll card, or aren't sure if you are registered (especially if you have changed address recently) then you can email us at elections@stoke.gov.uk or call 01782 233800.
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 (elections@stoke.gov.uk) or phone 01782 233800 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) doesn'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.