Voter ID and Voter Authority Certificates
Voters in Scotland will need to show photo ID to vote at a UK Parliamentary election
Voters in Scotland now need to show photo ID to vote at polling places in some elections.
The Voter ID requirement will apply in the following: -
- UK Parliamentary General Elections (held from October 2023)
- UK Parliamentary by-elections
- Recall petitions
Voters in Scotland will not need to show photo ID at Scottish Parliamentary elections or at council elections.
Acceptable forms of ID
You will only need to show one form of photo ID. It needs to be the original version and not a photocopy.
You can still use your photo ID if it's out of date, as long as it looks like you.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 do not have an accepted form of photo ID you can apply for a free voter ID document, known as a Voter Authority Certificate.
You can also apply for a Voter Authority Certificate if you're not sure whether your photo ID still looks like you or you're worried about using an existing form of ID for any other reason, such as the use of a gender marker.
Applying for a Voter Authority Certificate
The easiest way to apply for a Voter Authority Certificate is online, but you can also complete a paper application (opens new window) .
The deadline to apply for a Voter Authority Certificate will be 5pm six working days before the date of the election.
