Voter Authority Certificates: a quick guide

In some elections voters in a polling station need to show identification before being given a ballot paper. This includes elections to the UK Parliament.

The Commons Library briefing, Voter ID: a quick guide gives more details.

What are Voter Authority Certificates?

The Voter Authority Certificate, or VAC, is a type of voter ID introduced to help people without any other form of approved ID to be able to vote.

A person may also want to apply for a VAC if the photo on their existing forms of ID is no longer a good likeness, or the name of on their photo ID is different to their name on the electoral register, for example if they have recently changed their name.

VACs are free of charge.

The VAC does not display the holders’ date of birth as it is not intended to be used for demonstrating proof of age.

VACs do not expire but voters are encouraged to renew after 10 years.

If someone is registered as an anonymous elector, a type of registration for people whose safety might be at risk if their address is on the register, they cannot use a VAC. Anonymous voters must apply for an Anonymous Elector's Document to use as voter ID.

How to apply for a VAC?

Applicants must be registered to vote to apply for a VAC.

VAC applications can be made online or by post.

Applicants are required to provide their name, address, date of birth, national insurance (NI) number and a passport style photo when applying.

The photo can be uploaded digitally as part of the online application.

People can find their NI number on pay slips or other official documents. The Library has provided information on getting a national insurance number for people who need one or have lost theirs.

If a person does not have a NI number there are other ways of applying. Local council election teams are best placed to deal with these types of applications. The Electoral Commission website has a postcode look up tool to find contact details of local elections teams.

Local authorities will usually offer help in applying for a VAC, including if a person needs help with a photo.

Providing a photo

A photo must be submitted when applying. The photo must be in a certain format, similar to a passport photo.

The photo must be:

• In colour

• At least 45 millimetres in height and 35 millimetres in width and no larger than 297 millimetres in height or 210 millimetres in width

• Show the applicant’s head and shoulders only

• Show the applicant facing forward

• Show the applicant’s face (with a blank expression) clearly.

The Electoral Commission has provided more information on providing a photo on its page on applying for a Voter Authority Certificate.

Is there a deadline to apply?

People can apply for a VAC at any time.

At election time there is a deadline for applying for a VAC. For any given election it is 5pm on the sixth working day before polling day.

What if someone loses a VAC?

If someone loses a VAC then a temporary VAC can be issued for a specific polling day. This can only be done under specific circumstances. Local elections teams are best placed to deal with such requests.

Temporary VACs must be collected in person.

If someone does not qualify for a temporary VAC they may be able to appoint an emergency proxy to vote on their behalf.