Applying for a Voter ID Certificate for Local Elections 2026 
Voter ID applications must be received by 5pm on Tuesday 28 April 2026 for the local elections on Thursday 7th May 2026
Applications received after this deadline will not be accepted or processed for this election. 

When voting in a polling station there is a requirement for voters to show photo ID. If a voter turns up at a polling station without an accepted form of photo identification, they will not be issued with a ballot paper and will need to return with an accepted form of photo identification.  This requirement was introduced in May 2023.

Which forms of ID can I use to vote?

You may already have a form of photo ID that is acceptable. You can use any of the following:

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 (this includes a provisional driving licence)
  • A Blue Badge

Local travel

  • Older Person’s Bus Pass funded by the Government of the United Kingdom
  • Disabled Person’s Bus Pass funded by the Government of the United Kingdom
  • Oyster 60+ Card funded by the Government of the United Kingdom
  • 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

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

For more information on which forms of photo ID will be accepted, visit The Electoral Commission website or call their helpline on 0800 328 0280.

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

If you don’t already have an accepted form of photo ID, or you’re not sure whether your photo ID still looks like you, you can apply for a free voter ID document, known as a Voter Authority Certificate.

Apply for a Voter Authority Certificate

You can visit the Civic Centre if you are unable to:

  • apply online
  • provide a valid photograph with your application. This must meet the photo guidelines and requirements
  • would prefer someone to support you to complete the Voter Authority Certificate application

If you require assistance with applying in person including taking a photograph, please contact Electoral Services on 01902 55 1177 / Electoral.Services@wolverhampton.gov.uk to book an appointment between 10am and 3pm on Monday to Friday.
 
To help make this process easier for you, please make sure:

  • you are already registered to vote. You cannot apply for a Voter Authority Certificate if you are not registered to vote.
  • you have your National Insurance Number with you. You can still complete the process if you don't know your National Insurance Number
Find out more

If you need support with applying for a voter authority certificate, call customer services on 01902 55 1177.

Voter ID drop in sessions

Applying for free Voter ID

Ahead of an election we will advertise drop in session details here for applicants who require assistance completing an application in person, including taking a photograph which meets the guidelines and requirements.  If you require assistance with applying in person outside of election time, please contact Electoral Services on 01902 55 1177 / Electoral.Services@wolverhampton.gov.uk to book an appointment between 10am and 3pm on Monday to Friday.

Voter ID data for the 2026 Local Elections in Wolverhampton

The Electoral Commission is collecting Voter ID data from all local authorities across the UK who held elections on 7 May 2026.

For Wolverhampton, we are able to share that 99.8% of electors who came to vote in Wolverhampton polling stations brought photo ID that met voter ID requirements.  Collated figures across the area show 49,987electors voted at our 127 polling stations on 7 May, 2026.  

At the end of polling day, 75 electors who tried to vote in a polling station were not given a ballot paper because they did not meet the new voter ID requirements – 0.2%. 
 
The figures also show that while 300 electors were initially turned away, 225 returned with acceptable ID and were able to vote. This means 75% of those initially turned away returned and were issued with a ballot paper.

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