From 4 May 2023 onwards, the Elections Act 2022 requires voters to show photographic identification at polling stations before they are given a ballot paper.
Which forms of ID can I use to vote?

You may already have a form of photo ID that is acceptable. You can use any of the following:

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

  • 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 funded by the Government of the United Kingdom
  • Disabled Person’s Bus Pass funded by the Government of the United Kingdom
  • Oyster 60+ Card funded by the Government of the United Kingdom
  • 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

You will only need to show one form of photo ID. It needs to be the original version and not a photocopy.

For more information on which forms of photo ID will be accepted, visit The Electoral Commission website or call their helpline on 0800 328 0280.

If you don’t have an accepted form of photo ID

If you don’t already have an accepted form of photo ID, or you’re not sure whether your photo ID still looks like you, you can apply for a free voter ID document, known as a Voter Authority Certificate.

Apply for a Voter Authority Certificate

You can visit the Civic Centre if you are unable to:

  • apply online
  • provide a valid photograph with your application. This must meet the photo guidelines and requirements
  • would prefer someone to support you to complete the Voter Authority Certificate application

If you require assistance with applying in person including taking a photograph, please contact Electoral Services on 01902 55 1177 / Electoral.Services@wolverhampton.gov.uk to book an appointment between 10am and 3pm on Monday to Friday.
 
To help make this process easier for you, please make sure:

  • you are already registered to vote. You cannot apply for a Voter Authority Certificate if you are not registered to vote.
  • you have your National Insurance Number with you. You can still complete the process if you don't know your National Insurance Number
Find out more

If you need support with applying for a voter authority certificate, call customer services on 01902 55 1177.

Voter ID data for the 2024 Parliamentary Election in Wolverhampton

The Electoral Commission is collecting Voter ID data from all local authorities across the UK who held elections on 4 July. It will publish an initial assessment of the voter ID requirement in August and a full evaluation of the parliamentary elections in autumn.

For Wolverhampton, we are able to share that 99.9% of electors who came to vote in Wolverhampton polling stations brought photo ID that met newly introduced voter ID requirements. 

Collated figures across the area show 83,358 electors voted at our 157 polling stations on 4 July, 2024. 

At the end of polling day, 81 electors who tried to vote in a polling station were not given a ballot paper because they did not meet the new voter ID requirements – 0.1%.
 
The figures also show that while 260 electors were initially turned away, 179 returned with acceptable ID and were able to vote. This means 70% of those initially turned away returned and were issued with a ballot paper.

Voter ID drop in sessions

Applying for free Voter ID

The City of Wolverhampton Council is open between 10am-3pm on weekdays at Wolverhampton Civic Centre to help people apply for their free voter authority certificate (VAC) if they require one to vote in the forthcoming election on Thursday 4 July.
 
Voters must provide acceptable photo identification in the polling station before being issued with their ballot paper and people can visit these drop-ins with no need to book.
 
At the sessions, advisors are on hand to help complete applications, including taking a photograph which meets the guidelines and requirements. There is also help with registering to vote to enable a VAC application.
 
Applicants should be able to provide their National Insurance Number but it’s still possible to complete the process if unable to remember it.

An application for a voter authority certificate can also be made online.

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