Home | Voter ID

The UK Government is changing how we vote and conduct elections through The Elections Act 2022.

From May 2023, individuals will be required to show photo ID, such as a passport or photocard driver's licence, when they vote at their polling station.

These changes will apply at the North Norfolk district and parish elections on 4 May 2023.

You will have to show photographic identification if you are one of the following:

a voter visiting a polling station to vote
a proxy voter who is visiting a polling station to vote on someone's behalf

Accepted forms of photo ID

Passport

Issued by one of the following:

the UK,
any of the Channel Islands
the Isle of Man
a British Overseas Territory
an EEA state
Commonwealth country

Driving licence

Issued by one of the following:

UK
any of the Channel Islands
the Isle of Man
an EEA state

Other acceptable forms of photo ID

biometric immigration document
identity card bearing the Proof of Age Standards Scheme hologram (a PASS card)
Ministry of Defence Form 90 (Defence Identity Card)
Blue Badge
national identity card issued by an EEA state
older person's bus pass
disabled person's bus pass
Oyster 60+ Card
Freedom Pass
Scottish National Entitlement Card issued in Scotland
60 and over Welsh Concessionary Travel Card issued in Wales
disabled person's Welsh Concessionary Travel Card issued in Wales
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
Electoral Identity Card issued in Northern Ireland

Expired documents will be accepted as suitable photo ID, so long as the photograph is still a good likeness.

If you visit your polling station without an acceptable form of photo ID, you will not be issued a ballot paper, even if you appear on the electoral register. We will advise you to return with one of the accepted forms of photo ID listed above.

If you do not have one of the accepted forms of photo ID

From Monday 16 January 2023, you can apply for a Voter Authority Certificate from the UK Government website. This document will contain your name and photograph, and you can obtain it for free in one of three ways:

Apply online

You can apply online using the government portal and upload a suitable photograph to apply for your Voter Authority Certificate.

Apply now

Write to us

Please fill in this application form. We will check you are registered at your property and are aware of other accepted forms of ID.

Completed applications should include a suitable photograph. Please return to:

electoralservices@north-norfolk.gov.uk

Electoral Services
North Norfolk District Council
Holt Road
Cromer
NR27 9EN

In-person

By visiting our offices in either Cromer or Fakenham. Our Customer Services staff will take you through the registration process and take a suitable photograph if required.

Deadline for applications

The deadline for applications is 5pm on Tuesday 25 April 2023.

This deadline is statutory, and can be no extension for any reason. We cannot process any application for the upcoming election received after the deadline.

Any applications received before the deadline can be processed after the deadline up to the day of the election. So long as the application was complete and contained all the required information.

Postal voting

You can apply for a postal vote if you wish to refrain from showing photo ID at the polling station.

Electors who wish to vote by post do not need to provide photographic identification to receive their ballot paper. It applies to current postal voters and any new applicants who apply for a postal vote ahead of the deadline, which is at 5pm on Tuesday 18 April 2023.

Apply for a postal vote

We are still awaiting complete information about implementing this aspect of the Elections Act 2022, so any updates will appear on this page. We will be providing frequently asked questions to assist you with any questions about these changes.