Got no photo ID? No problem! Snag a free Voter ID and make your voice heard in the next UK election. Apply now before the deadline!
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Starting in recent UK elections, it’s mandatory to show an approved form of photo ID to vote in person.
However, one report has shown that 3.5 million people don’t have the right kind of ID (which you usually have to pay for), which is around 7.5% of eligible voters. But, the Government says this figure is out of date and claims only around 2% of people don’t have acceptable ID.
Even if you do have an ID, if your name doesn’t match the electoral register or you no longer look like the photo, you need to get a different ID.
Either way, we now need to have it. Yes, you could go out and pay for something, but if funds are tight, why not just get the free option?
Free Voter ID: Voter Authority Certificate
If you do not have any of the acceptable forms of ID and prefer not to spend money (Team Frugal over here, too!), you can apply for a free Voter Authority Certificate.
This certificate is only for voting purposes and can’t be used anything else.
You must apply for a certificate before 5 PM on 26 June 2024 to get the ID in time for the General Election of 4 July 2024.
If you live in Northern Ireland, there is different guidance, and you need to apply for an Electoral Identity Card.
How to get a free Voter Authority Certificate
You can either apply online or by post.
For the application, you need to have your National Insurance number (here’s some help if you’ve lost your NI number) and a photo of yourself.
You can take the photo as a selfie on your phone, just make sure there is a plain white background, similar to a passport photo.
The application takes about five minutes to do online, so you could make a cuppa first, and it’ll be the perfect temperature to drink when you’re done.
Once you’ve hit submit, it can take around 10 working days to process your application and send out the Voter Authority ID to you.
That’s why it’s important to apply early, and not leave it to the last minute.
To be clear, it’s absolutely free to apply for this certificate and it’s easy to do – NEVER pay someone to do this. Ask for help from Citizens Advice or the Skint Dad Community if you need some support.
Acceptable forms of ID and costs
To vote in the UK, you need to bring one of the following forms of photo ID. They can be expired, but the photo needs to look like you.
Here’s a table showing the ID and the cost if you don’t currently have one:
| ID | Cost |
|---|---|
| Passport (UK, EU, EEA, or Commonwealth) | £75.50 for adults applying online or £85 if applying via paper form |
| Photo Driving Licence (UK, EU, EEA, provisional, or full) | Provisional licence starts at £34 if applied for online |
| UK Proof of Age Standards Scheme (PASS) card | £15 from the Post Office. No other ID needed to apply |
| UK biometric residence permit (BRP) | Typically part of visa fees |
| UK Defence identity card (MOD Form 90) | Free to UK armed forces |
| Northern Ireland Electoral Identity Card | Free through the Electoral Office for Northern Ireland (EONI) |
| National ID from an EEA country | Varies by country |
| Blue Badge | Up to £10 in England £20 in Scotland Free in Wales |
| Government travel pass for older or disabled people Including Freedom pass, or disabled person’s concessionary pass | Usually free for eligible people, but this varies by local council |
| Scottish National Entitlement Card | Free from your local council |
| Voter Authority Certificate | Free |
Changed your name?
The details on the electoral roll must match your ID.
You’ve got two choices, register to vote again with your new details so it matches your ID (you also need to register to vote if you’ve moved house). Or, take a document with you that proves your change of name (for instance, your marriage certificate).
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