Voter ID for Elections
As of the May 2023 elections all voters who wish to vote in person will need a valid form of Photo ID
From 4 May 2023, people who wish to vote in person (including those acting as a proxy), will be 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 to:
Local elections
Town and parish elections
Neighbourhood planning referendums
UK parliamentary elections (the requirement for voter ID to be provided at UK parliamentary elections will take effect for polls after 5 October 2023)
Police and crime commissioner elections
There is currently no requirement for postal voters to provide photographic identification for the May 2023 election.
Accepted forms of photo ID
You can use any of the following accepted forms of photo ID when voting at a polling station.
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
A Blue Badge
Local travel
Older Person's Bus Pass
Disabled Person's Bus Pass
Oyster 60+ Card
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
Biometric immigration document
Ministry of Defence Form 90 (Defence Identity Card)
National identity card issued by an EEA state
Electoral Identity Card issued in Northern Ireland
Voter Authority Certificate
Anonymous Elector's Document
You will only need to show one form of photo ID. It needs to be the original version and not a photocopy.
Out of date photo ID
You can still use your photo ID if it's out of date, as long as it looks like you. The name on your ID should be the same name you used to register to vote.
If you don't have an accepted form of photo ID
You can apply for a free voter ID document, known as a Voter Authority Certificate, if:
you don't have an accepted form of photo ID
you're not sure whether your photo ID still looks like you
you're worried about using an existing form of ID for any other reason, such as the use of a gender marker
You need to register to vote before applying for a Voter Authority Certificate.
How do I apply for a Voter Authority Certificate and what is the deadline to apply?
For the local, town parish council elections taking place on Thursday 4 May 2023, the deadline to apply for a Voter Authority Certificate is 5pm on Tuesday 25 April 2022.
Apply online
Apply for photo ID to vote (Voter Authority Certificate)
Apply by post
You will also be able to apply by filling out a paper application form and sending this to the Democratic Services team at Cheshire West and Chester Council. You can request the instructions in large print, braille or easy read.
Apply for a Voter Authority Certificate by post
Apply in person
From March 2023, you will also be able to apply in person. To book an appointment with a dedicated customer service adviser, telephone: 0300 123 8 123.
Chester: Chester Town Hall (side entrance)
Ellesmere Port: The Portal
Northwich: Information Centre
Winsford: Wyvern House
Alternatively you can attend a drop-in session at the following libraries hosted by Democratic Services:
Great Boughton
Date: Monday, 6 March 2023
Time: 3pm until 6pm
Tarporley
Date: Monday, 6 March 2023
Time: 3pm until 6pm
Blacon
Date: Tuesday, 7 March 2023
Time: 10am until 1pm
Helsby
Date: Tuesday, 7 March 2023
Time: 10am until 12noon
Barnton
Date: Wednesday, 8 March 2023
Time: 3pm until 6pm
Frodsham
Date: Wednesday, 8 March 2023
Time: 10am until 1pm
Hoole
Date: Thursday, 9 March 2023
Time: 2pm until 4pm
Hope Farm
Date: Thursday, 9 March, 2023
Time: 3pm until 6pm
Lache
Date: Friday, 10 March 2023
Time: 10am until 1pm
Little Sutton
Date: Monday, 13 March 2023
Time: 10am until 1pm
Malpas
Date: Tuesday, 14 March 2023
Time: 3pm until 6pm
Neston
Date: Wednesday, 15 March 2023
Time: 10am until 1pm
Sandiway
Date: Thursday, 6 April 2023
Time: 10am until 1pm
Tarvin
Date: Thursday, 6 April 2023
Time: 2pm until 5pm
Tattenhall
Date: Tuesday, 11 April 2023
Time: 2pm until 5pm
Upton
Date: Tuesday, 11 April 2023
Time: 10am until 1pm
Weaverham
Date: Friday, 14 April 2023
Time: 3pm until 6pm
Wharton
Date: Friday, 14 April 2023
Time: 1pm until 6pm
Dates and times may change subject to each library's requirements.
Information you will need to provide
When applying for a Voter Authority Certificate, you will need to provide your:
name
address
date of birth
National Insurance number
You should apply using the same name that you used to register to vote. You will not need to provide your gender, and your certificate will not have a gender marker.
If you don't know your National Insurance number or don't have one
You can find your National Insurance number on:
payslips
official letters about tax, pensions or benefits
or you can get in touch with HMRC
You can still apply if you don't know your National Insurance number, or don't have one. You will need to provide other forms of proof of identity, such as a birth certificate, bank statement and a utility bill. If you don't have any other accepted proof of identity, you can ask someone you know to confirm your identity. This is known as an attestation.
Providing a photograph
You will need to submit a photo with your application. The requirements for the photo are similar to the requirements for a passport photo.
Processing your application
Cheshire West and Chester Council will process your application and the Voter Authority Certificate will be sent to you by post along with instructions on how to use it. Voter Authority Certificates do not have an expiration date, but it's recommended that you renew your certificate after 10 years.
All data you provide when applying for a certificate will be stored securely by Cheshire West and Chester Council in line with data protection regulations.
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