The law requires you produce one of the following forms of photographic identification when you vote in person at a polling station:
- UK, Ireland or EEA driving licence (photographic part) (provisional accepted)
- UK, Ireland or EU passport (including the Irish Passport Card) (note: EU passports are not accepted at UK Parliamentary elections)
- Translink Half Fare SmartPass
- Translink Senior SmartPass
- Translink 60+ SmartPass
- Translink War Disablement SmartPass
- Translink Registered Blind SmartPass
- Biometric Immigration Document
- Electoral Identity Card
The last option - the Electoral Identity Card - is solely for electors who have not got one of the other means of photographic voter identification (see list above).
Most people do not need an Electoral Identity Card.
The Electoral Identity Card is solely for electors who have no other means of photographic voter identification (see list above).
You must be listed on the Electoral Register to get a card. To check if you are registered to vote at your address visit the Am I Registered page.
If you are not accurately registered to vote, then go to www.gov.uk/register-to-vote and register to vote.
Once you are accurately registered to vote you can apply online for an Electoral Identity Card here.
If you are already accurately registered to vote, then you can apply online for an Electoral Identity Card here.
You can request a paper application form by using our Contact Us page and a form will be posted to your address.
For voting purposes your photographic ID document does not need to be current, but the photograph must be of a good enough likeness to allow polling station staff to confirm your identity.
The Electoral Identity Card is solely for electors who have no other form of photo identification for voting in person at a future election. If you require a second form of photo identity document (over and above a passport/driving licence etc…), the following services are available:
- Post Office EasyID which can be applied for in branch or online at https://www.postoffice.co.uk/identity/easyid
- Citizen Card which can be applied for online at https://www.citizencard.com/
The Electoral Identity Card has a single purpose which is to provide photographic identity for voting purposes.
The Electoral Office will not provide Electoral Identity Cards for purposes other than voter identification.
No. The Electoral Identity Card is only available to electors who are registered to vote in Northern Ireland.
Hats or head coverings are not permitted in Electoral Identity Card photos except when worn for religious or medical reasons and only if the full facial features are visible.
It takes time to process your application. If your application is successful you should allow up to six weeks to receive your Electoral Identity Card.
Expired cards are accepted to vote however your Electoral Identity Card or any other photographic ID used at polling stations must be of a good enough likeness to allow polling station staff to confirm your identity.
No. The Electoral Identity Card is proof of your identity for voting and not proof of your address. Your address is not printed on the Electoral Identity Card. You only need to update your Electoral Identity Card if you change your name or if your appearance changes significantly from the photo on the Electoral Identity Card.