Photo ID and Voting

You now need to show photo identification (ID) when voting in person at a polling station. This requirement was introduced by the Elections Act 2022. 

You must be registered to vote before an election. To register to vote visit www.gov.uk/register-to-vote 

The next scheduled election in the London Borough of Hounslow is the Mayor of London and London Assembly Elections taking place on Thursday 2 May 2024. 

Which forms of photo ID are acceptable? 

Acceptable forms of photo ID include: 

  • 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. 

  • Photographic driver’s licence issued by the UK, Channel Islands, the Isle of Man, or an EEA state (including provisional) 

  • European Economic Area (EEA) photographic ID Card 

  • UK Biometric Residence Permit  

  • An identity card bearing the Proof of Age Standards Scheme hologram (PASS card) 

  • A Blue Badge 

  • Oyster 60+ card 

Only original documents are accepted and expired photo ID can still be used, as long as the photograph still looks like you. 

To view the full list of accepted photo ID, visit www.gov.uk/voting-photo-id 

What if you don’t have an accepted form of photo ID? 

If you do not have an accepted form of photo ID or if you are unsure if the photo still looks like you, you can apply for a free voter authority certificate (VAC) to use as photo ID at a polling station. 

Find out how to apply for a VAC at www.voter-authority-certificate.service.gov.uk  

You can visit your local library if you require additional assistance to complete your application. To find your local library, click here.

To view this information in another language, please use the ‘select language’ feature at the top of the page. 

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