How can people prove their identity?
This briefing addresses some frequently asked questions from constituents about the types of recognised UK identity documents people may apply for and the contexts in which proof of identity or age is required.
It is estimated that around 10% of UK citizens have never had a passport, and a survey conducted by the Cabinet Office in 2021 (prior to the introduction of voter ID) found that 9% of those surveyed did not have photo ID which was in-date and recognisable.
The UK doesn’t issue, or require UK citizens or residents to apply for, a mandatory proof of identity document. Nor does it maintain a national identity register. In practice, a range of documents may be used to verify identity, age, and residency, depending on the context of the checks.
Forms of IDSome types of official document which people might choose to apply for are accepted as proof of identity in a wide range of contexts aside from their specific purpose.
For example, British passports and UK driving licences are commonly accepted as photographic proof of identity. The different supporting documents needed to get a passport or provisional driving licence reflect their different functions.
Some people use a driving licence (or provisional licence) solely as evidence of identity rather than proof of entitlement to drive. However, people can only get a driving licence if they meet the minimum medical standards for safe driving.
Options available to people who don’t have a passport or driving licence
People who don’t have a passport or driving licence sometimes ask what alternative types of photo ID they can use. The Home Office has suggested the Voter Authority Certificate issued by local authorities as another form of photo identity.
The Home Office says it is up to the authority requesting proof of identity to determine which documents are acceptable for their purposes. Its Guidance on examining identity documents (2025; PDF) allows for a range of documents to be used for identity verification.
Therefore, in practice people may be able to use various types of document as supporting evidence of their identity or eligibility for a service, depending on the context in which it is being verified.
PASS cards
Cards issued under the voluntary National Proof of Age Standards Scheme (PASS card scheme) are widely accepted as proof of age and are sometimes listed as acceptable proof of identity for other specified purposes. The PASS scheme accredits UK suppliers of proof of age cards and PASS-accredited digital proof of age providers. It is operated by a community interest company and is endorsed by the Home Office, National Police Chiefs’ Council, Security Industry Authority, and various trade associations. The websites of accredited issuers provide information about the supporting documents people applying for a PASS card must provide. See, for example, the frequently asked questions on the website of My ID Card, and the information about how to apply for a CitizenCard.
National Insurance numbers
A good practice guide issued by the Government Digital Service advises that National Insurance numbers (NINOs) shouldn’t be accepted as proof of someone’s identity. It provides several reasons: NINOs aren’t private; there are limited checks that bind a NINO to the claimed identity; there is a known issue with NINOs being used for identity theft and fraud; and NINOs are automatically issued to some young people without them having to prove their identity.
Proof of immigration status issued to non-British UK residents
The Home Office is moving towards only issuing digital proof of immigration status. Foreign nationals resident in the UK use an eVisa to demonstrate their visa status and entitlements. An eVisa is an online record rather than the digital equivalent of a residence permit. It can only be accessed through gov.uk. The online checking process typically involves the migrant logging into gov.uk to produce a ‘share code’. The service provider uses the share code to view a version of the person’s eVisa, which will show their eligibility for the service (or otherwise).
Further information about eVisas can be found in the Library’s briefing on the replacement of UK residence permits with eVisas
What services in the UK require a proof of ID to access?People in the UK may be asked to provide evidence of their age, address, identity, or immigration or nationality status in a wide range of interactions with central or local government or private businesses. For example, this might be to confirm their eligibility for a service; to comply with licensing restrictions; or to prevent identity fraud or comply with data protection obligations.
The Good Practice Guide on How to prove and verify someone’s identity, issued by the Cabinet Office and Government Digital Service, outlines when the identity of a customer, employee or someone acting on behalf of a business should be checked, with a focus on preventing identity fraud. It says:
You should check someone’s identity if any services you or your organisation has will:
- show a user personal information about themselves, such as their driving licence or passport details
- give the user something
There is no universally accepted list of documents that can be used for proof of identity. Businesses, organisations and government departments may have different requirements, depending on the purpose of their checks and the legislation and policy guidance they must apply. If proof of identity or address is required for a specific use, the organisation requesting it will usually provide a list of acceptable documents.
The following list gives some examples of administrative procedures which require the person to provide certain evidence of their identity or eligibility:
Opening a bank account, renting a property, and applying for a job are other common transactions which require supporting evidence of the person’s identity and eligibility.
Proof of age checks
Similarly, there isn’t a single official list of the forms of identity document that can be used for proof of age. The context in which a person is required to prove their age determines what forms of identification can be used.
For example, the Home Office has published a list of accepted forms of ID that can be accepted by suppliers of alcohol (PDF; September 2014, p8).
Challenge 25 (a scheme that requires retail outlets to ask anyone buying alcohol, tobacco or vape products who look under the age of 25 to provide ID) has published a similar list of acceptable forms of ID under the Challenge 25 scheme (PDF; undated).
The Gambling Commission has published examples of the type of documents a gambling business could ask customers for as proof of their age and identity.