Voter ID - Voter Authority Certificate

From 4 May 2023, registered electors will need to show a form of photo identification (ID) before they can vote in person at a polling station. 

Electors will need to show one of the accepted photographic ID. 

A Voter Authority Certificate is available for registered electors without photo ID available. The Voter Authority Certificate is a new free voter photo document you can use to vote in person in some UK elections and referendums. You cannot use it as proof of identification for any other reason.

Apply for a Voter Authority Certificate if:

• you do not have accepted photo ID
• you no longer look like the photo on your ID
• the name on your photo ID is significantly different to your name on the electoral register

You can apply either online, by post or in person and in good time ahead of polls taking place. Please be aware the person applying will need to provide a photo of themselves as part of the application process.

Please note this only affects people voting in person at polling stations, postal voters have their identification verified by their signatures and date of births.

Applications for Voter Authority Certificates are now open.

British Sign Language users can find this information here

You can now apply for a Voter Authority Certificate through the options listed below:

• Apply online at GOV.UK. You will be able to upload a recent photo from your phone or other electronic device as part of the application process.    
• Application forms will also be available to download and print via GOV.UK and a print copy is available under the downloads section on this page.  A recent photo will be required when applying. Guidance on providing a suitable photo is shown under question 5 below - What are the photo standards for a Voter Authority Certificate? When you submit an application form you need to provide a recent photo either in hardcopy, email a digital image to elections@n-kesteven.gov.uk or North Kesteven District Council can take your photo for you. Please book an appointment by phone 01529 414155 or email customer_services@n-kesteven.gov.uk.  A separate Voter Authority Certificate application paper form is available as a pdf, in the downloads section, for individuals who are living abroad, in the armed forces, a Crown Servant or a British Council employee. 
• If you would like help to apply for a certificate, you can book an appointment to come to the NKDC offices in Sleaford. Customer Services will assist you to make your application and take a photo to submit via GOV.UK. Help will also be available to check hardcopy application forms and photos where needed. Please email customer_services@n-kesteven.gov.uk or phone 01529 414155 to find out more or book an appointment.
• Collect an application form or request an application form to be posted to you from North Kesteven District Council. Please email customer_services@n-kesteven.gov.uk or phone 01529 414155 to request an application form. You can also return your completed application form by post – remember to include your photo or details of any photo sent via email to go with your application.

If you wish to vote at a polling station on 4 May 2023 and need a Voter Authority Certificate, then you must have applied by 5pm on Tuesday 25 April 2023.  

Apply now to now to make sure you receive your Voter Authority Certificate in time for the election.

What is a Voter Authority Certificate?

The Voter Authority Certificate is a new free voter photo document available for those without any other form of photo ID. An elector can use the Voter Authority Certificate as their photo ID to prove who they are in a polling station.

The Certificate will show an elector’s name and photograph, the date of issue, the issuing local authority, an appropriate identifier, and a recommended renewal date of 10 years from issue.

There is an application form to complete, and you will need to provide a photo of yourself as part of the application. You must apply by 5pm on Tuesday 25 April 2023 but it is advised to apply as soon as possible. 

When can I apply for a Voter Authority Certificate?

Applications are open from 16 January 2023 to 5pm on 25 April 2023 to apply for a Voter Authority Certificate to use at the 4 May 2023 poll.

Who can apply for a Voter Authority Certificate?

The Voter Authority Certificate is a new free voter photo document. Apply for a Voter Authority Certificate if:

• you do not have accepted photo ID
• you no longer look like the photo on your ID
• the name on your photo ID is significantly different to your name on the electoral register

If an elector is not yet registered, they will need to register to vote first. For more information, please see question 11. What do I do if I’m not registered to vote?

What information will I need to apply?

To apply you will need to complete personal information including your National Insurance Number and date of birth. If you do not have your National Insurance Number available, you will be asked to provide other documents to prove your identity.

You will also need to be able to submit a suitable photo. Please see question below on photo requirements.

What are the photo standards for a Voter Authority Certificate?

A suitable photo is required for all Voter Authority Certificate applications.

For online applications you will be able to upload a photo during the application process. For paper application forms either a hardcopy photo is required, or you can supply an electronic image via email to us at elections@n-kesteven.gov.uk

Your photo must be:

• clear and in focus
• in colour
• against a plain, light-coloured background
• your true likeness, with no photoshop or filters
• For hardcopy photos it must be at least 45 x 35 mm (height x width) in size, and no bigger than 297 x 210 mm (height x width) and undamaged (e.g. not torn, creased, or marked)
• Digital photos must be no larger than 20mb in size.

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

An application cannot be accepted until a suitable photo is provided. If the photo does not meet the standard required, the applicant will be contacted and asked to provide a new photo.

What if I don’t have a photo?

As part of the online application process, you will be able to take a photo on a phone or other electronic device and upload it with your application.

For paper application forms either a hardcopy photo is required, or you can supply an electronic image via email to elections@n-kesteven.gov.uk

If you are unable to take a photo yourself, is there a trusted person you know who could take one on their phone, iPad or electronic device for you?

If there is no one who can take a photo for your application, staff at NKDC will be able to take a photo for you at the NKDC offices in Sleaford. If you also need help with your application form staff will be able to help you complete your application on GOV.UK or a hardcopy form. Please get in touch on 01529 414155 or email customer_services@n-kesteven.gov.uk to book an appointment to come in for your photo and/or application form.

What if my photo doesn’t meet the photo standards due to a disability?

If you let us know you have a disability on your application form, the photo you supply:

• doesn’t need to have a plain expression
• doesn’t need to have your eyes open and visible

If you are unable to take your photo or you’ don’t think it meets the photo standards, please get in touch with NKDC to discuss this and the options available. 

NKDC can arrange to take a photo for you at the NKDC offices if you would like to use this service, please book an appointment either by phone 01529 414155 or email customer_services@n-kesteven.gov.uk.

Can someone help me apply for a Voter Authority Certificate?

Any person you trust can help you apply either online or by paper form. The quickest and easiest way to apply is via GOV.UK and you’ll need to upload a photo from a phone, iPad or any electronic device as part of the application process. Remember you will need to have your National Insurance Number to hand too.

By appointment you can also come to the NKDC offices, Sleaford and we will assist you to make your application via GOV.UK and take your photo for you if you need us too. Help will also be available at the NKDC offices to check hardcopy application forms and to take photos where needed. Please email customer_services@n-kesteven.gov.uk or phone 01529 414155 to find out more or book an appointment.

When will I receive my Voter Authority Certificate?

You should receive your Voter Authority Certificate in the post to your home address within 10 working days of making your application. If your application is incomplete or requires additional information the Elections Team will contact you to explain what is wrong or what is needed for your application to proceed. If you have not received your Certificate or heard from the Elections Team within 10 working day, please get in touch with the Elections Team on 01529 414155 or email elections@n-kesteven.gov.uk If the election is sooner than 28 days please allow 14 days before getting in touch.
If your application is incomplete or requires additional information to be processed the Elections Team will contact you to explain what is wrong or what is needed. This will be required as quickly as possible to enable your amended application to be received by the deadline of 5pm on 25 April 2023.

How long will the Voter Authority Certificate be valid for?

The Voter Authority Certificate will show a recommended renewal date of 10 years. This is to make sure the photo remains a good likeness of the elector. This is the same time as a photo renewal for a passport or a driving licence.

What do I do if I’m not registered to vote?

If you are not yet registered to vote and you don’t have any ID available, then you will need to register to vote first. You can register to vote online at Register to vote - GOV.UK. If you do not have access to the internet, you can call NKDC on 01529 414155 to make a telephone application or request an application form is posted to you from the Elections Team. An application form can also be collected from the NKDC offices in Sleaford.

The deadline to register to vote in time for the local elections on 4 May 2023 is midnight on 17 April 2023.

When you register to vote you will be reminded that all applicants will need to show a form of identification to vote in a polling station from 4 May 2023 onwards. If you do not have any of the accepted photo ID available you can apply for a Voter Authority Certificate at the same time. The application for the Certificate will be processed once the application to register to vote has been successfully approved.

What happens if I miss the deadline to apply for a Voter Authority Certificate?

If you do not apply for a Voter Authority Certificate before 5pm on 25 April 2023 and you do not have other accepted photo ID available, you will not be able to vote in person at a polling station.

If I move house, can I still use my Voter Authority Certificate at a different polling station?

Yes, you can still use the same Voter Authority Certificate if you move house either in the same local authority area or any other local authority area in England or Wales.

What if I lose or damage my Voter Authority Certificate before polling day?

In the unfortunate event that you lose your Voter Authority Certificate before the deadline of 5pm on 25 April 2023, you can apply for a new certificate. 

In situations where an elector’s photographic identification (including a previously issued Voter Authority Certificate) has been lost, stolen, destroyed or damaged beyond use after the application deadline, the Electoral Returning Officer will be able to allow the appointment of an emergency proxy up until 5pm on polling day.

What is a Temporary Voter Authority Certificate?

A Temporary Voter Authority Certificate can only be issued by the Electoral Registration Officer (Chief Executive at NKDC) in limited circumstances. If an elector has made a valid application for a Voter Authority Certificate before the deadline of 5pm on 25 April 2023 but has not received their Certificate in the post, they can apply for a Temporary Certificate, which will be valid for one election only.

The Temporary Voter Authority Certificate will be printed by NKDC and signed by the Electoral Registration Officer or their deputy. The applicant will need to collect it in person from the NKDC offices ahead of the election. If this is not possible, please speak to the Elections Team to see if any alternative options are available.

After the 4 May 2023 elections, the Elections Team will investigate the application status and a full 10-year Voter Authority Certificate will be issued in due course.

What if I apply for a Voter Authority Certificate after the deadline date?

Any application received after the deadline of 5pm 25 April 2023, will not be processed until after polling day on 4 May 2023. The deadline for applications has been set in law and the Elections Team are only able to approve the applications submitted before this time and date.

Please allow up to 28 days AFTER the election date to receive your Voter Authority Certificate before contacting the Elections Team

How does Voter ID work for anonymous voters?

If you are registered as an anonymous elector on the electoral register, you will need to apply for an Anonymous Elector’s Document to use as your photo ID at the polling station you use. All anonymous electors currently on the NK register will be contacted by NKDC inviting them to apply for this document.

The Anonymous Elector’s Document will be the only form of ID that an anonymous elector will be able to use in a polling station. This Document will show key details including a photo but will NOT show an elector’s name. There will be an identifier code used instead that relates to their place on the register. Anonymous electors must also continue to take their poll card when going to vote in person.

If you think you require an Anonymous Elector’s Document, please get in touch with the Elections Team directly.