Evidence of identity for Electoral Services
Requirement for documentary evidence
All new applications to register to vote, vote by post and vote by proxy are data matched with government records. Where a match cannot be found, you will be sent a request for 'Evidence of identity'. See details of the types of evidence we can accept.
If you have been asked to provide evidence of identity, please respond as soon as possible or your application may be rejected.
How to supply evidence of your identity
A copy of your evidence should be provided, not the original. You can submit your evidence:
- By completing our online form
- By post, or
- In person at the Customer Centre at the Town Hall (Monday to Friday 9am to 4.30pm, excluding bank holidays)
Documents you can provide
You can either provide
- One 'Primary identification document', or
- One 'trusted government document' and two 'financial/social history documents', or
- Four 'financial/social history documents'
| Document | Notes |
|---|---|
| Passport | Any current passport |
| Biometric residence permit | UK issued only |
| EEA identity card | Must still be valid |
| Photocard driving licence | UK/Isle of Man/Channel Islands (current - full or provisional) |
| Northern Ireland Electoral ID card |
| Document | Notes |
|---|---|
| Old-style paper driving licence | UK only (current - not photocard) |
| Photocard driving licence | Any other than UK and Crown Dependencies (current) – valid for at least 12 months from when you entered the UK (British citizens living overseas can use a valid non-UK photocard driving licence) |
| Birth certificate | UK and Crown Dependencies only |
| Marriage or Civil Partnership certificate | UK and Crown Dependencies only |
| Adoption certificate | UK and Crown Dependencies only |
| Firearms certificate | UK and Crown Dependencies only |
| Police bail sheet | UK and Crown Dependencies only |
| Document | Notes | Issue date and validity |
|---|---|---|
| Mortgage statement | UK, Crown Dependencies, or EEA | Issued in the last 12 months |
| Bank or building society statement | UK, Crown Dependencies, or EEA | Issued in the last 3 months |
| Bank or building society account opening confirmation letter | UK and Crown Dependencies | Issued in the last 3 months |
| Credit card statement | UK, Crown Dependencies, or EEA | Issued in the last 3 months |
|
Financial statement (for example, pension or endowment) |
UK, Crown Dependencies, or EEA | Issued in the last 12 months |
| Council Tax statement or demand letter | UK and Crown Dependencies | Issued in the last 12 months |
| Utility bill (except mobile phone bill) | UK and Crown Dependencies | Issued in the last 3 months |
| P45 or P60 statement | UK and Crown Dependencies, or EEA | Issued in the last 12 months by current or former employer |
| Benefit statement (for example, child benefit, pension) | UK, Crown Dependencies, or EEA | Issued in the last 3 months |
| Document giving entitlement from central or local government, government agency or local council (for example, from DWP, Job Centre Plus, HMRC) | UK, Crown Dependencies, or EEA | Issued in the last 3 months |
Got a question?
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