The Voter Identification Regulations 2022

Identity document applications: general E+W+S

4.—(1) An identity document application must be in writing, and must state—

(a) the applicant’s full name;

(b) the address in respect of which the applicant is registered, or has applied to be registered, on the register of parliamentary electors or local government electors;

(c) where the applicant is or has applied to be registered in pursuance of—

(i) a service declaration, the applicant’s present address, correspondence address or British Forces Post Office Number;

(ii) an overseas elector’s declaration, the applicant’s present address;

(d) the applicant’s date of birth or, if they are not able to provide that information, the reason why they are not able to do so and a statement as to whether the applicant is under 18 years old;

(e) the applicant’s national insurance number or, if they are not able to provide that information, the reason why they are not able to do so;

(f) an indication as to whether, if the identity document application is granted, the applicant considers that it is necessary for the applicant to collect the document in person instead of the document being delivered to the relevant delivery address, and if so the reason why the applicant considers that collection is necessary;

(g) for an identity document application under section 13BE of the 1983 Act, the fact that the applicant has applied or is applying to have an anonymous entry on the register;

(h) an indication as to whether, if the identity document application is granted, the applicant requires a Braille, easy read or large print explanation of the anonymous elector’s document or the electoral identity document issued;

(i) a declaration by the applicant that the information provided in the application is true;

(j) the date of the application.

(2) Where an applicant makes an identity document application by virtue of section 13BD(1)(b)(ii) or section 13BE(1)(b)(ii) of the 1983 Act (applicants registered in Wales who will be entitled to vote in police and crime commissioner elections upon attaining the age of 18)—

(a) if the applicant is not able to provide their date of birth, the statement referred to in paragraph (1)(d) must indicate whether the applicant is—

(i) under the age of 16, or

(ii) aged 16 or 17;

(b) paragraph (1)(e) does not apply where the applicant is under the age of 16.

(3) An identity document application must also include—

(a) a photograph of the applicant which meets the requirements set out in Schedule 2, and

(b) where, in accordance with paragraph 3(2) of that Schedule, the applicant is unable to provide a photograph that complies with paragraph 3(1)(d) or (e) of that Schedule, the reason why they are not able to do so.

(4) An identity document application may (but need not) include the applicant’s email address and telephone number.

(5) Where the applicant is not able to provide a national insurance number, the applicant may provide as part of an identity document application a copy of any of the documents listed in—

(a) where the applicant has applied or is applying to have an anonymous entry on the register, regulation 7(3) to (5);

(b) otherwise, regulation 7(4) or (5).

(6) A registration officer may authorise an applicant to provide anything which must or may be included in or with, or which may be provided as part of, an identity document application in accordance with this regulation to the registration officer in person and, where the officer does so, the registration officer must transfer anything provided by the applicant into an application in writing.

(7) In paragraph (1)(f), “relevant delivery address” means—

(a) where paragraph (1)(c) applies, the address provided in accordance with that paragraph;

(b) where paragraph (1)(c) does not apply, the address provided in accordance with paragraph (1)(b).

Commencement Information

I1 Reg. 4 in force at 16.1.2023, see reg. 1(3)