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How to vote | Birmingham City Council

How to vote

In the UK, there are 3 ways you can vote:

  • in person at a polling station
  • by post, when your ballot paper is posted out to you before the election
  • by proxy, when someone votes on your behalf

How you vote is up to you. It may depend on what you find easiest or most convenient.

Showing photo ID at a polling station

The process of voting in person has changed. You now must show photo ID to receive your ballot paper.

You will not need photo ID to vote by post.

If you appoint a proxy to vote on your behalf at the polling station, your proxy must show their photo ID before they can vote for you.

Photo ID you can use

Acceptable forms of photo ID are:

  • passport
  • driving licence (including provisional licence)
  • blue badge
  • certain concessionary travel cards
  • identity card with PASS mark (Proof of Age Standards Scheme)
  • biometric immigration document
  • defence identity card
  • certain national identity cards

If your photo ID has expired, it will still be accepted as long as the photograph still looks like you.

If your name on your ID is different to how your name appears on the electoral register, for example, if you are married and one still shows your maiden name, you may be required to show further proof of identity to receive a ballot paper.

Read the full list of valid types of photo ID and more information on voting and bringing ID.

If you do not have photo ID

If you do not have an acceptable form of photo ID, you can apply for a Voter Authority Certificate (VAC).

A VAC is a paper document with your photo on it that you can use to prove your identity when voting.

A VAC cannot be used or accepted as proof of identity for any purpose other than voting.

How to get a VAC

To get a free VAC, you can apply:

We will verify your identity before sending you a VAC.

The deadline for applying for a VAC is 5:00pm, 6 working days before the election you want to use it in.

You can apply at any time, and the VAC does not expire, so you should keep it safe. However, it is recommended that you renew after 10 years or when the photo no longer looks like you.

You do not need to reapply for a VAC when you move house (either within Birmingham or to or from another local authority area), as it remains valid in any local authority area, not just the one that issued it.

If you have not received your VAC within 28 days of application, you can contact us by emailing electionsoffice@birmingham.gov.uk.

However, if a scheduled election is taking place in Birmingham, and you applied before the 5pm deadline, 6 working days before the poll, contact us immediately if you have not received a VAC the week of the election.

We will investigate and, where appropriate, give you a Temporary Voter Authority Certificate that you can use on the specified upcoming poll date.

Find out more about elections and voting.

Page last updated: 5 March 2026

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