Voter ID
People who wish to vote in person (including those acting as a proxy) are now required to produce an accepted form of photographic ID to prove their identity before they will be issued with a ballot paper. This will apply at all elections:
- Local elections (borough and county council)
- Parish elections
- Neighbourhood planning referendums
- UK parliamentary elections*
- Police and crime commissioner elections
This new requirement applied for the first time in England at the local elections on Thursday 4 May 2023, and for scheduled parliamentary elections after 5 October 2023.
You do not need photo ID to vote by post.
What kinds of photo ID are accepted
The accepted forms of photographic ID are:
- 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 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
- Anonymous Elector's Document
Expired photographic identification documents can still be used as accepted photographic ID at the polling station or signing place, as long as the photograph is still a good likeness of the elector.
For more information on which forms of photo ID will be accepted, visit Electoral commission - voter ID or call their helpline on 0800 328 0280.
If you don’t have the right photo ID
Where an individual does not have or does not wish to use one of these accepted forms of photographic ID, they can apply online for a Voter Authority Certificate.
For voters who may not be able to apply online, or who don't have an electronic photo that can be used, paper applications can also be downloaded.
If you can't apply online and need assistance you can make an appointment with the Electoral Services Office, email us at ballotbox@slough.gov.uk.
Send the completed paper application form to: Electoral Services, Slough Borough Council, Observatory House, 25 Windsor Road, Slough, SL1 2EL.
The deadline to apply is 5pm, Tuesday 25 April. If you lose your photo ID and the deadline has passed, you can apply for an emergency proxy vote. In order to do this, you should email us at ballotbox@slough.gov.uk and we will discuss this option with you and get the correct forms to you.
The Voter authority certificate dosen't have an expiry date. We expect them to last roughly 10 years, as you will need to continue to look like the photograph.
For more information on which forms of photo ID will be accepted, or you need help applying, visit Electoral commission - voter ID or call their helpline on 0800 328 0280.
If your photo ID is in an old name
If you are trans or nonbinary and don't have ID in the correct name, or you have changed your name for another reason 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 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. You don't need to re-apply for a voter ID if you change address - you can still use the ID you have.
If you've changed name or address recently, you should update the electoral register.
- Change of name - email us evidence of your name change, e.g. marriage certificate, deed poll.
- Change of address - re-register to vote (GOV.UK). You will need to provide some personal information including your national insurance number and date of birth.
Anonymous voters
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.