From 4 May 2023, voters in England will need to provide a photo ID in order to vote at polling stations. You can use an accepted ID which has expired, provided it still looks like you. If you do not have a photo ID, or you are not sure if the photo ID still looks like you, apply for a free Voter Authority Certificate today.
On Thursday 4th May 2023, local elections are taking place across 230 areas in England. In Guildford Borough, this includes local council & parish elections.
In order to vote in the forthcoming May elections you will need to be registered to vote by the end of Monday 17th April 2023. The deadline to apply for a Voter Authority Certificate is 5 pm on Tuesday 25th April.
Are you registered to vote?
You need to be registered to vote before you apply for a Voter Authority Certificate. If you are not registered you can apply online. Visit https://www.registertovote.service.gov.uk.
How to apply for a Voter Authority Certificate
After you are registered, you may apply for your Voter Authority Certificate if you do not have a valid form of ID which looks like you. To apply online visit https://www.gov.uk/apply-for-photo-id-voter-authority-certificate
You can Apply by post by contacting:
Guildford Borough Council
Electoral Registration Officer
Council Offices, Millmead House, Millmead, GU2 4BB
If you are registered to vote outside of Guildford Borough, please find your local authority by visiting the Electoral Commission website.
Does it apply to postal voting?
If you are registered for postal voting, you will not need to provide a photo ID. However, if you miss the delivery deadline to post your vote (which will be confirmed within your ballot papers) you can deliver it in person to the polling station. However, a photo ID must be given.
To register for postal voting in Guildford Borough, visit https://www.guildford.gov.uk/article/21726/Apply-for-a-postal-vote
For residents outside of Guildford visit https://www.electoralcommission.org.uk/i-am-a/voter/apply-vote-post
Accepted forms of photo ID for voting
You can use any of the following forms of photo ID when voting at a polling station. You will only need to show one form of photo ID. It needs to be the original version and not a photocopy.
International travel
- 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 and Parking
- Commonwealth country
- Driving and Parking
- Driving licence issued by the UK, any of the Channel Islands, the Isle of Man, or an EEA state (this includes a provisional driving licence)
- A Blue Badge
- Local travel
- 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
Proof of age
- Identity card bearing the Proof of Age Standards Scheme hologram (a PASS card)
Other government-issued documents
- 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
The new voter ID required applies to:
- Local elections
- Police and Crime Commissioner elections
- UK parliamentary by-elections
- Recall petitions
- From October 2023 it will also apply to UK General elections