Voter ID for Elections

From 4 May 2023, people who wish to vote in person (including those acting as a proxy), will be required to produce an accepted form of photographic ID to prove their identity before they will be issued with a ballot paper. 

This will apply to: 

Local elections 

Town and parish elections 

Neighbourhood planning referendums 

UK parliamentary elections (the requirement for voter ID to be provided at UK parliamentary elections will take effect for polls after 5 October 2023) 

Police and crime commissioner elections 

 

There is currently no requirement for postal voters to provide photographic identification for the May 2023 election. 

 

You can use any of the following accepted forms of photo ID when voting at a polling station. 

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 

A Blue Badge 

Local travel 

Older Person's Bus Pass 

Registered Blind SmartPass or Blind Person’s SmartPass issued in Northern Ireland 

Identity card bearing the Proof of Age Standards Scheme hologram (a PASS card) 

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 

 

You will only need to show one form of photo ID. It needs to be the original version and not a photocopy. 

Out of date photo ID 

 

You can still use your photo ID if it's out of date, as long as it looks like you.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. 

 

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 

You need to register to vote before applying for a Voter Authority Certificate. 

 

For the local, town parish council elections taking place on Thursday 4 May 2023, the deadline to apply for a Voter Authority Certificate is 5pm on Tuesday 25 April 2022. 

Apply online 

Apply for photo ID to vote (Voter Authority Certificate) 

Apply by post 

 

You will also be able to apply by filling out a paper application form and sending this to the Democratic Services team at Cheshire West and Chester Council. You can request the instructions in large print, braille or easy read. 

Apply for a Voter Authority Certificate by post 

Apply in person 

 

From March 2023, you will also be able to apply in person. To book an appointment with a dedicated customer service adviser, telephone: 0300 123 8 123. 

Chester: Chester Town Hall (side entrance) 

Ellesmere Port: The Portal 

Northwich: Information Centre 

Winsford: Wyvern House 

 

Alternatively you can attend a drop-in session at the following libraries hosted by Democratic Services: 

Great Boughton 

Date: Monday, 6 March 2023 

Time: 3pm until 6pm 

Tarporley 

Date: Monday, 6 March 2023 

Time: 3pm until 6pm 

Blacon 

Date: Tuesday, 7 March 2023 

Time: 10am until 1pm 

Helsby 

Date: Tuesday, 7 March 2023 

Time: 10am until 12noon 

Frodsham 

Date: Wednesday, 8 March 2023 

Time: 10am until 1pm 

Hoole 

Date: Thursday, 9 March 2023 

Time: 2pm until 4pm 

Hope Farm 

Date: Thursday, 9 March, 2023 

Time: 3pm until 6pm 

Lache 

Date: Friday, 10 March 2023 

Time: 10am until 1pm 

Little Sutton 

Date: Monday, 13 March 2023 

Time: 10am until 1pm 

Malpas 

Date: Tuesday, 14 March 2023 

Time: 3pm until 6pm 

Neston 

Date: Wednesday, 15 March 2023 

Time: 10am until 1pm 

Sandiway 

Date: Thursday, 6 April 2023 

Time: 10am until 1pm 

Tarvin 

Date: Thursday, 6 April 2023 

Time: 2pm until 5pm 

Tattenhall 

Date: Tuesday, 11 April 2023 

Time: 2pm until 5pm 

Upton 

Date: Tuesday, 11 April 2023 

Time: 10am until 1pm 

Weaverham 

Date: Friday, 14 April 2023 

Time: 3pm until 6pm 

Wharton 

Date: Friday, 14 April 2023 

Time: 1pm until 6pm 

 

Dates and times may change subject to each library's requirements. 

Information you will need to provide 

 

 

You should apply using the same name that you used to register to vote. You will not need to provide your gender, and your certificate will not have a gender marker. 

If you don't know your National Insurance number or don't have one 

You can find your National Insurance number on: 

payslips 

official letters about tax, pensions or benefits 

or you can get in touch with HMRC 

You can still apply if you don't know your National Insurance number, or don't have one. You will need to provide other forms of proof of identity, such as a birth certificate, bank statement and a utility bill. If you don't have any other accepted proof of identity, you can ask someone you know to confirm your identity. This is known as an attestation. 

 

 

Processing your application 

Cheshire West and Chester Council will process your application and the Voter Authority Certificate will be sent to you by post along with instructions on how to use it. Voter Authority Certificates do not have an expiration date, but it's recommended that you renew your certificate after 10 years. 

All data you provide when applying for a certificate will be stored securely by Cheshire West and Chester Council in line with data protection regulations.