Voter Authority Certificate

The Voter Authority Certificate is a new free voter photo document available for those without any other form of photo ID. An elector can use the Voter Authority Certificate as their photo ID to prove who they are in a polling station.

The certificate will show an elector’s name and photograph, the date of issue, the issuing local authority, an appropriate identifier, and a recommended renewal date of 10 years from issue.

There is an application form to complete, and you will need to provide a photo of yourself as part of the application.

Applications are open from 16 January 2023 to 5pm on 25 April 2023 to apply for a Voter Authority Certificate to use at the 4 May 2023 poll.

The Voter Authority Certificate is a new free voter photo document. Apply for a Voter Authority Certificate if:

• you do not have accepted photo ID
• you no longer look like the photo on your ID
• the name on your photo ID is significantly different to your name on the electoral register

If an elector is not yet registered, they will need to register to vote first. More information is available on registering to vote at GOV.UK.

To apply you will need to complete personal information including your National Insurance Number and date of birth. If you do not have your National Insurance Number available, you will be asked to provide other documents to prove your identity.

You will also need to be able to submit a suitable photo. Please see the "What are the photo standards for a Voter Authority Certificate?" section for the photo requirements.

A suitable photo is required for all Voter Authority Certificate applications.

For online applications you will be able to upload a photo during the application process. For paper application forms either a hardcopy photo is required, or you can supply an electronic image via email to us at   ereg@west-lindsey.gov.uk

Your photo must be:

• clear and in focus
• in colour
• against a plain, light-coloured background
• your true likeness, with no photoshop or filters
• for hardcopy photos it must be at least 45mm by 35mm (height by width) in size, and no bigger than 297mm by 210mm (height by width) and undamaged (not torn, creased, marked or similar)
• digital photos must be no larger than 20mb in size

In your photo you must:

• face forwards and look straight at the camera
• be alone, with no other objects or people
• have a plain expression
• have eyes open and visible, with no hair in front of them
• not wear sunglasses, but normal glasses are fine if you typically wear them
• not have a head covering (except for religious or medical reasons)
• not have red-eye from the camera's flash, glare or shadows over your face

An application cannot be accepted until a suitable photo is provided. If the photo does not meet the standard required, the applicant will be contacted and asked to provide a new photo.

As part of the online application process, you will be able to take a photo on a phone or other electronic device and upload it with your application.

For paper application forms either a hardcopy photo is required, or you can supply an electronic image via email to ereg@west-lindsey.gov.uk.

If you are unable to take a photo yourself, is there a trusted person you know who could take one on their phone, iPad or other electronic device for you?

If there is no one who can take a photo for your application applying in person at the Guildhall, Marshall's Yard, Gainsborough is an option. As part of the process we will take your photograph for you.

If you let us know you have a disability on your application form, the photo you supply:

• doesn’t need to have a plain expression
• doesn’t need to have your eyes open and visible

If you are unable to take your photo or you’ don’t think it meets the photo standards, please get in touch with us at ereg@west-lindsey.gov.uk or by calling 01427 676576 to discuss this and the options available.

Any person you trust can help you apply either online or by paper form. The quickest and easiest way to apply is online via GOV.UK. You will need to upload a photo from a phone, iPad or any electronic device as part of the application process.

Remember you will need to have your National Insurance Number to hand too.

If you visit the Guildhall to apply in person, we will assist in making the application and take your photograph.

You should receive your Voter Authority Certificate in the post to your home address within 28 days of making your application. In many cases, the timescale will be a lot shorter than this for people to receive their certificate, however we do not know how many applications are likely to be received.

If you have not received your certificate within 28 days, please get in touch with our elections team at ereg@west-lindsey.gov.uk.

The Voter Authority Certificate will show a recommended renewal date of 10 years. This is to make sure the photo remains a good likeness of the elector. This is the same time as a photo renewal for a passport or a driving licence.

If you are not yet registered to vote and you don’t have any ID available, then you will need to register to vote first. You can register to vote online at GOV.UK.

If you are unable to register online you need contact us at ereg@west-lindsey.gov.uk or by calling 01427 676576 and we can complete the registration on your behalf. If your application is valid and not subject to any objections we will write to tell you when you will be added to the electoral register.

The deadline to register to vote in time for the local elections on 4 May 2023 is midnight on 17 April 2023.

When you register to vote you will be reminded that all applicants will need to show a form of identification to vote in a polling station from 4 May 2023 onwards. If you do not have any of the accepted photo ID available you can apply for a Voter Authority Certificate at the same time. The application for the certificate will be processed once the application to register to vote has been successfully approved.

If you do not apply for a Voter Authority Certificate before 5pm on 25 April 2023 and you do not have other accepted photo ID available, you will not be able to vote in person at a polling station.

Yes, you can still use the same Voter Authority Certificate if you move house either in the same local authority area or any other local authority area in England or Wales.

In the unfortunate event that you lose your Voter Authority Certificate before the deadline of 5pm on 23 April 2023, you can apply for a new certificate.

In situations where an elector’s photographic identification (including a previously issued Voter Authority Certificate) has been lost, stolen, destroyed or damaged beyond use after the application deadline, the Electoral Returning Officer will be able to allow the appointment of an emergency proxy up until 5pm on polling day.

A Temporary Voter Authority Certificate can only be issued by the Electoral Registration Officer in limited circumstances. If an elector has made a valid application for a Voter Authority Certificate before the deadline of 5pm on 25 April 2023 but has not received their certificate in the post, they can apply for a temporary certificate, which will be valid for one election only.

The Temporary Voter Authority Certificate will be printed by us and signed by the Electoral Registration Officer or their deputy. The applicant will need to collect it in person from the our offices at the Guildhall ahead of the election. If this is not possible, please speak to our Elections Team (ereg@west-lindsey.gov.uk) to see if any alternative options are available.

After the 4 May 2023 elections, the Elections Team will investigate the application status and a full 10-year Voter Authority Certificate will be issued in due course.

Any application received after the deadline of 5pm 25 April 2023, will not be processed until after polling day on 4 May 2023. The deadline for applications has been set in law and the Elections Team are only able to approve the applications submitted before this time and date.

Please allow up to 28 days after the election date to receive your Voter Authority Certificate before contacting the Elections Team if you have applied after the deadline date.

If you are registered as an anonymous elector on the electoral register, you will need to apply for an Anonymous Elector’s Document to use as your photo ID at the polling station you use. All anonymous electors currently on the West Lindsey register will be contacted by West Lindsey District Council inviting them to apply for this document.

The Anonymous Elector’s Document will be the only form of ID that an anonymous elector will be able to use in a polling station. This document will show key details including a photo but will not show an elector’s name. There will be an identifier code used instead that relates to their place on the register. Anonymous electors must also continue to take their poll card when going to vote in person.

If you think you require an Anonymous Elector’s Document, please get in touch with the Elections Team directly at ereg@west-lindsey.gov.uk.