ID Card
Electoral Identity Card Frequently Asked Questions
A PDF reader is required to view and print the documents on this page. - What is the electoral identity card?
- What are the four acceptable forms of photographic identification?
- Do I need an electoral identity card if I have a postal or proxy vote?
- How do I apply for an electoral identity card?
- What information do I have to give in my application for an electoral identity card?
- What will happen if any of the information I give on my application for the electoral identity card is not the same as the details I gave when I applied to be included on the Electoral Register?
- What do I do if I cannot sign the application form for the electoral identity card?
- What do I do if I do not have a national insurance number?
- Has my electoral identity card any use other than for voting?
- Will I have to renew my electoral identity card every year or before every election?
- What should I do if I lose my card or it is damaged?
- I applied for an electoral identity but I have received nothing since. What should I do?
The electoral identity card is one of six forms of photographic identification specified in legislation for elections in Northern Ireland. One of the six must be produced to prove your identity when you vote at elections here. You must be listed on the Electoral Register, or have applied to be registered, in order to obtain a card.
- A Northern Ireland or Great Britain driving licence with a photograph
- A passport issued by the United Kingdom or any other Member State of the European Community
- A Translink Senior SmartPass
- A Translink Blind Person's SmartPass
- A Translink War Disabled SmartPass
No. Photographic identity is only required by electors who attend a polling station to vote in person.
Details on how to apply for a card can be found on the main Electoral Identity Card page.
You will be required to give:
- Your surname
- Your full forenames
- Your full address
- Your date of birth
- Your national insurance number
- Your signature
All these details must be the same as those given when you applied to be included on the Electoral Register.
What will happen if any of the information I give on my application for the electoral identity card is not the same as the details I gave when I applied to be included on the Electoral Register?
Your application will be rejected and the application form returned to you so that you can correct it and apply again.
You must ask someone else to sign the attestation on the form to verify that you cannot sign and to explain why. Please bear in mind that if you signed your registration form yourself your application for the card will be rejected as the information on the card application must match that given at registration.
You should sign the statement on the form that you do not have a national insurance number. Please note that if you gave a national insurance when you applied to be included on the Electoral Register and you do not supply one when you apply for the card your application will be rejected.
The purpose of the card is to identify you for voting purposes. However, it is also accepted by some airlines and banks/building societies as proof of identity and age.
No. Your card is valid for 10 years from the date it is issued to you, even if you change address.
You should contact us and we will arrange for a replacement card to be issued to you. If your details (name, address, etc.) have changed since you originally received your card, you will need to apply for a new one.
If you are listed on the current Electoral Register and it is more than four weeks since you applied for a Card you should contact us and we will trace your application.