What to do if your name does not match your ID

If your name on the electoral register does not match the name on your ID

To vote at the polling station your name on the electoral register should match the name on your ID.

Your name on the electoral register may differ from the name on your ID because you: 

• have recently changed your name
• are commonly known by another name

If you’ve recently changed your name

If you have recently changed your name, you can present your name change document alongside your photo ID to vote at the polling station.  The name change document must show a link between your name on the register and your name on your photo ID.

Acceptable name change documents could include a:

• deed poll
• marriage certificate
• civil partnership certificate
• decree absolute
• gender recognition certificate with a date of birth matching your photo ID

You should let us know about your name change so we can update the electoral register. You can do this by making a new application to register to vote online, or by contacting us directly.

If you have recently changed your name, but haven’t updated your ID, you may be able to: 

• apply for a UK passport
• apply for a Full or Provisional UK Driver’s Licence
• apply for an older person’s bus pass
• apply for a disabled person’s bus pass

If you are commonly known by another name

Alternative spellings or shortened versions of names (for example, Mohammad and Muhammed, or Elizabeth and Liz) should be acceptable. This will be at the discretion of the Presiding Officer at the polling station, who must be satisfied that the ID you provide is acceptable. 

Your name on the electoral register should be your legal name as it appears on your passport. Contact us if you need to amend your name on the electoral register.

If you don’t want to change your name on the electoral register, you'll be able to apply for a Voter Authority Certificate or apply for a postal vote.