Voter ID: What You Need To Know For Scotland

From 4 May 2023, voters in Scotland will need to show photo ID to vote at polling places in some elections.

This will apply to:

• UK parliamentary by-elections
• Recall petitions

From October 2023 it will also apply to UK General elections.

Voters in Scotland will not need to show photo ID at Scottish Parliament elections or at council elections. – Electoral Commission

Accepted forms of photo ID

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

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
• Disabled Person’s Bus Pass
• Oyster 60+ Card
• Freedom Pass
• Scottish National Entitlement Card
• 60 and Over Welsh Concessionary Travel Card
• Disabled Person’s Welsh Concessionary Travel Card
• Senior SmartPass issued in Northern Ireland
• Registered Blind SmartPass or Blind Person’s SmartPass issued in Northern Ireland
• War Disablement SmartPass issued in Northern Ireland
• 60+ SmartPass issued in Northern Ireland
• Half Fare SmartPass issued in Northern Ireland

Proof of age

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

Other government issued documents

• 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Out of date photo ID

You can still use your photo ID if it’s out of date, as long as it looks like you.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

If you don’t have an accepted form of photo ID

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.

Find out how to apply for a Voter Authority Certificate

Showing ID as an anonymous elector

If you’re registered to vote anonymously and want to vote in person, you’ll need to apply for an Anonymous Elector’s Document.

Find out more about registering to vote anonymously and how to vote anonymously. 

You can also Vote by post – this does not require photo ID

You can vote by post if you don’t want to vote in person at a polling station.

Send the completed form to your local Electoral Registration Office.

If you use assistive technology and need a version of this document, contact your local Electoral Registration Office.

You must apply for a postal vote if you want to vote by post, for example if:

• you’re away from home
• you’re abroad and want to vote in England, Scotland or Wales

You do not need to give a reason unless you’re voting in Northern Ireland