Photographic ID
Voters in Wales need to show photo ID to vote at polling stations in some elections.
This will apply to:
- Police and Crime Commissioner elections
- UK parliamentary by-elections
- Recall petitions
Voters in Wales will not need to show photo ID to vote at a polling station at Senedd elections or local council elections.
Accepted forms of photo ID
You can use any of the accepted forms of photo ID listed below when voting at a polling station. An animated list is also available.
You will only need to show one form of photo ID. It needs to be the original version and not a photocopy.
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 (this includes a provisional driving licence)
- 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
Out of date photo ID
You can still use your photo ID if it's out of date, as long as it looks like you.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
Please only apply once you have registered to vote.
Apply online
Visit the government website. You will be asked to provide a recent digital photo of your head and shoulders with your face uncovered.
Apply by post
You will also be able to apply by filling out a paper application form and returning it to Merthyr Tydfil County Borough Council.
If you need any help with applying for a Voter Authority Certificate or want to request an application form, contact Electoral@merthyr.gov.uk or 01685 725284.
Additional Information
If you’re voting as someone’s proxy
You’ll need to take your own ID when you go to vote on someone else’s behalf. You do not need to take theirs.
If you’ve changed your name
The name on your ID must match your name on the electoral register. If it does not, you’ll need to either:
- register to vote again with your new details
- take a document with you to vote that proves you’ve changed your name (for example, a marriage certificate)
Small differences do not matter. For example, if your ID says ‘Jim Smith’ instead of ‘James Smith’.
More information on Voter ID is available on the Electoral Commissions Page.