Voter ID Photo Requirements for 2023 Local Elections
If you are applying for free voter ID ahead of the local elections on Thursday 4th May, make sure your photo meets the requirements to avoid any delays with your application.
You only need to apply for free voter ID if you want to vote in person or by proxy at a polling station and do not have one of the accepted forms of photo ID.
Accepted forms of photo ID:
A voter must present one of the following forms of photographic identification in order to vote in person at the polling station:
A passport issued by the UK, any of the Channel Islands, Isle of Man, a British Overseas Territory, an EEA state or a Commonwealth country
A driving licence issued by the UK, any of the Channel Islands, the Isle of Man or an EEA state (includes a provisional driving licence)
A biometric immigration document
An identity card bearing the Proof of Age Standards Scheme hologram (a PASS card)
Ministry of Defence Form 90 (Defence Identity Card)
A Blue Badge
A national identity card issued by the EEA state
An Older Person’s Bus Pass
A Disabled Person’s Bus Pass
An Oyster 60+ Card
A Freedom Pass
A Scottish National Entitlement Card issued in Scotland
A 60 and Over Welsh Concessionary Travel Card issued in Wales
A Disabled Person’s Welsh Concessionary Travel Card issued in Wales
A Senior SmartPass issued in Northern Ireland
A Registered Blind SmartPass or Blind Person’s SmartPass issued in Northern Ireland
A War Disablement SmartPass or War Disabled SmartPass issued in Northern Ireland
A 60+ SmartPass issued in Northern Ireland
Half Fare SmartPass issued in Northern Ireland
An Electoral Identity Card issued in Northern Ireland
A Voter Authority Certificate or a temporary Voter Authority Certificate
You will only need to show one form of photo ID. It needs to be the original version and not a photocopy.
You must supply a recent photo of your head and shoulders, with your face uncovered, as part of this application.
It’s recommended to write your name, house number and postcode on the back of your photo if you are sending a physical photo to accompany a paper application form.
Your photo must be:
* clear and in focus
* in colour
* against a plain, light-coloured background
* your true likeness, with no photoshop or filters
* at least 45 x 35 mm (height x width) in size, and no bigger than
297 x 210 mm (height x width)
* undamaged (e.g. not torn, creased, or marked)
In your photo you must:
* face forwards and look straight at the camera
* be alone, with no other objects or people
* have a plain expression
* have eyes open and visible, with no hair in front of them
* not wear sunglasses, but normal glasses are fine if you typically wear them
* not have a head covering (except for religious or medical reasons)
* not have ‘red-eye’, glare or shadows over your face
If you have ticked the box on page 3 to say you have a disability, the photo you supply:
* doesn’t need to have a plain expression
* doesn’t need to have your eyes open and visible
For more info about the introduction of photo ID at polling stations, visit Charnwood.gov.uk/voterid