Voter ID

The UK government has introduced a requirement for voters to show photographic identification to vote at polling stations.

This applies to:

Local elections and by-elections
Police and Crime Commissioner elections
Cambridgeshire & Peterborough Combined Authority Mayoral elections
UK Parliamentary by-elections
Recall petitions

From October 2023 it will also apply to UK General elections.

If you don't have accepted photo ID, you can apply for a free voter ID document, which is known as a Voter Authority Certificate.

Find out more about accepted forms of photo ID, how to apply for a free Voter Authority Certificate, and what to expect on polling day.

Acceptable forms of photo ID

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

Expired photographic ID documents can be still be used as accepted photographic ID at the polling station, as long as the photograph still looks like you. The name on your ID should be the same name you used to register to vote.

If you don't have an accepted form of photo 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.

Apply for a free voter ID (Voter Authority Certificate)

If you need any help with applying for a Voter Authority Certificate or want to request a paper application form, please contact our electoral team on elections@fenland.gov.uk or 01354 654321.

If you've changed your name

The name on your photo ID must match your name on the electoral register. If it does not, you'll need to:

register to vote again with your new details
bring your photo ID and a supporting document to provide evidence of the change of name such as:

marriage or civil partnership certificate
deed poll
decree absolute
amended birth certificate
overseas marriage or civil partnership certificate

What will happen at the Polling Station?

When you arrive at the polling station, a member of staff will:

Ask you for your name and address so they can find you on the electoral register
Ask for your photo ID and check that if it is acceptable
If your ID is acceptable, they will give you your ballot paper and direct you to complete it in a polling booth as ususal.

A private area will be available at the polling station, so you can choose to have your photo ID viewed in private if you like. This might be a separate room, or an area separated by a privacy screen, depending on the polling station.