Registering to vote and new voter ID requirements

Proving your identity

All new applications to register to vote, all postal vote and proxy applications are data matched with government records.

Where a match cannot be found, you will be sent a request for 'Evidence of identity'.

If you have been asked to provide evidence of identity, please respond as soon as possible. Failure to respond could result in your identity not being confirmed in time to allow you to vote at the next scheduled elections.

How to supply evidence of your identity

A copy of your evidence should be provided, not the original. You can submit your evidence:

  • By email to [email protected] 
  • By post to the Electoral Services team, The Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea, Town Hall, Hornton Street, London, W8 7NX
  • Or, in person at the Customer Service Centre, Town Hall, Hornton Street, W8 7NX Monday to Friday, between 9am and 5pm

Documents you can provide are: 

  • One 'Primary identification document', or 
  • One 'trusted government document' and two 'financial/social history documents',
  • or four 'financial/social history documents'

Primary identification documents

Document Notes
Passport Any current passport
Biometric residence permit UK issued only
EEA ID Card Must be valid
Photocard part of current driving licence UK or Isle of Man or Channel Islands; full or provisional
Northern Ireland Electoral ID Card 

Trusted Government documents

Document Notes
Current photo driving licence Any other than UK and Crown Dependencies
Birth certificate UK and Crown Dependencies only
Marriage or civil partnership certificate UK and Crown Dependencies only
Adoption certificate UK and Crown Dependencies only
Firearms licence UK and Crown Dependencies only
Police bail sheet UK and Crown Dependencies only

Table 3 - Financial and social history documents

Document Notes Issue date and validity
Mortgage statement UK, Crown Dependencies or EEA Issued in the last 12 months
Bank or building society statement UK, Crown Dependencies or EEA Issued in the last 3 months
Bank or building society account opening confirmation letter UK and Crown Dependencies Issued in the last 3 months
Credit card statement UK, Crown Dependencies or EEA Issued in the last 3 months
Financial statement, for example pension or endowment  UK, Crown Dependencies or EEA Issued in the last 12 months
Council Tax statement UK and Crown Dependencies Issued in the last 12 months
Utility bill (exept mobile phone bill) UK and Crown Dependencies Issued in the last 3 months
P45 or P60 statement UK, Crown Dependencies, or EEA Issued in the last 12 months
Benefit statements, for example child benefit, pension UK, Crown Dependencies, or EEA Issued in the last 3 months
Central or local government, government agency, or local government department giving entitlement (for example, from DWP, Job Centre Plus, HMRC) UK, Crown Dependencies, or EEA Issued in the last 3 months

Last updated: 1 February 2024