Voter ID

When you need Photo ID?

For certain elections you will be required to show a form of Photo ID to be able to cast your vote

In Scotland you will require ID at the following election types

• UK Parliamentary Elections (from October 2023)
• UK Parliamentary By-Elections
• Recall Petitions

Voters in Scotland will not need to show photo ID at Scottish Parliament elections or at council elections.

***Remember your ID needs to be the original document, not a photocopy or a picture on your phone. ***

• What forms of ID are acceptable?

  +—

  There are many forms of ID that are acceptable, the most common forms of ID are (remembering originals only)

  • UK Passport
  • UK Driving License
  • Scottish National Entitlement Card (60+ or disabled person bus pass, or Young Scot Card)

  A full list is available on the Electoral Commissions Website.

  Some common examples (with pictures) can be seen here.

  Common Examples

• What if I don't have any of these Forms of ID?

  +—

  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 are not sure whether your photo ID still looks like you
  • You are worried about using an existing form of ID for any other reason, such as the use of a gender marker

  You must be registered to vote before applying for a voter authority certificate.

  To get a Voter Authority Certificate in time for use at the next UK Parliamentary Election you must apply for it before 5pm on Wednesday 26th June 2024

  When applying for a Voter Authority Certificate, you will need to provide your Name Address Date of Birth National Insurance Number You should apply using the same name that you used to register to vote. You will not need to provide your gender, and your certificate will not have a gender marker.

  More information on Voter Authority Certificates (VACs) can be viewed on our VAC page.

• What if my ID is out of date?

  +—

  You can still use your photo ID if it’s out of date, as long as it looks like you.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 you used to register to vote.

• More Information - Electoral Commission Guide to Voter ID

  +—

  Click on the links below to access the Electoral Commissions Elector Guide to Voter ID

  PDF Elector Guide	Voter ID Resource – Voter Booklet Web – Generic
  Easy Read Version	Voter ID Resource – Voter Booklet Easy Read English – Generic_0
  Plain Text Version of the Guide	Voter ID Resource – Voter Booklet Plain Text English – Generic