Voter ID - Bring photo ID to vote
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From May 2023 voters will be required to show a form of photographic identification at polling stations before they are able to cast their vote.
This will affect all voters across the New Forest who vote in person or by proxy at the polling station and will be brought in for our next scheduled elections on Thursday 4 May 2023.
Watch a short explainer video:
Types of photographic identification
A full list of accepted forms of ID will be included on your poll card.
This will arrive shortly before the scheduled elections in May and will be in an envelope addressed to you.
You will likely already have one of the following:
- a UK issued Passport
- a photographic driver's licence (including provisional)
- a European Economic Area (EEA) photographic ID Card
- a UK Biometric Residence Permit
- an identity card bearing the Proof of Age Standards Scheme hologram (PASS card)
- a Blue Badge
- a concessionary travel pass - for example Hampshire County Council Bus Pass
You must bring the original document. We cannot accept scanned images, copies, or photos of your ID shown on your smartphone.
Out of date identification will be accepted if the photo is still a current likeness.
When you show us your ID at the polling station we will check your likeness with the photo before giving you your ballot paper and directing you to the voting booth. We do not copy your ID, or keep it, and the details are not recorded.
You can view a full list of accepted ID on the GOV.UK website.
What to do if you do not have any photo ID
The deadline to apply for a free Voter Authority Certificate for use at our May elections is 5pm on Tuesday 25 April. Please apply as soon as possible in case we need to check any of your details.
If you do not have any of the accepted types of photo identification and you want to vote at the polling station, you will need to apply for a free Voter Authority Certificate on the gov.uk website.
You must be registered to vote to use this service.
This will be an A4 photographic identification document specifically designed to allow you to cast your vote.
Apply for a free Voter Authority Certificate
Paper application forms are available to download and print below and should be returned by email to
or by post to
Electoral Services
Appletree Court
Beaulieu Road
Lyndhurst
SO43 7PA
Voter Authority Certificate Application Form (PDF) [718KB]
Voter Authority Certificate Application Form - Large print (PDF) [147KB]
Alternatively forms can be collected or handed in to one of our information offices.
If you need help with this process please call 023 8028 5445 or visit one of our information offices.
Voting by post or by proxy
You will not need ID to vote by post, you will be issued with a postal ballot as usual.
If you choose to nominate a proxy to vote on your behalf they will need to have their own ID to be issued with a ballot paper.
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More information
You can find out more about the Elections Act 2022 on the GOV.UK website.
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