www.electionin.org

Organisation : The Electoral Ofiice of Northern Ireland
Facility : How to apply Electoral Identity Card
Country : Northern Ireland

How to apply Electoral Identity Card : http://www.eoni.org.uk/Register-To-Vote/Register-to-vote-change-address-change-name
Home Page : http://www.eoni.org.uk/Home

EONI How to apply Electoral Identity Card

If your Electoral Identity Card has expired, you do not need to renew it to vote at a polling station – identity documents produced at a polling station are no longer required to be current, as long as you still look like the photograph.

Related : The Electoral Office of Northern Ireland FAQs : www.electionin.org/98.html

Please note: hats or head coverings are not permitted in Electoral ID Card photos except when worn for religious reasons and only if the full facial features are visible.

You can apply for a card in person or by post.

The deadline for applying for an ID card to use at the UK Parliamentary election on 7 May 2015 is 24 April.

APPLICATIONS IN PERSON

Applications may be made in person at any Area Electoral Office where your photograph will be taken for the card free of charge (you will not need to provide identification if you apply in this way, provided you are listed on the electoral register). You will need to provide your National Insurance Number.

APPLICATIONS BY POST

** The application form can be downloaded from the Register to vote page.
** All postal applications for an Electoral Identity Card must be accompanied by a colour, passport-sized photograph (write your name and date of birth on the back of the photo) and one of the forms of photographic identification listed below.
** Alternatively, we will accept a declaration completed by an MP, MEP, MLA or Councillor (available to download below).
We will accept the following forms of photographic identity:
** A UK, Irish, EEA or Commonwealth driving licence (photographic part)
** A UK, Irish, EU or Commonwealth passport
** A National Identity Card
** An old Electoral Identity Card
** A Translink Senior SmartPass
** A Translink 60+ SmartPass
** A Translink War Disabled SmartPass
** A Translink Blind Person’s SmartPass
** A Disabled Persons Blue Badge issued by the Roads Service
** An Application Registration Card issued by the Home Office
** A Student Card

The identification document must be original – copies will not be accepted. We will return your identification document using the same method of postage used to send it to us.
If you do not have photographic identification to send in with your application, you can ask your local MP, MEP, MLA or Councillor to complete the declaration below and send it in with your form.

Replacement Cards

If your Electoral Identity Card has expired, please note you do not need to renew it to vote at a polling station – identity documents produced at a polling station are no longer required to be current, as long as you still look like the photograph.
If you need a replacement card you can apply for a new one . You can only obtain one replacement card within any 12 month period, unless an election is scheduled, in which case you can obtain another card during the month before the election

Expired cards

If your Electoral Identity Card has expired, please note you do not need to renew it to vote at a polling station – identity documents produced at a polling station are no longer required to be current, as long as you still look like the photograph. If you no longer look like the photograph on your card, you should apply for a new one

What is the Electoral Identity Card? :
In Northern Ireland the law requires that you produce one of seven forms of photographic identification when you vote at a polling station. The Electoral Identity Card is produced by the Electoral Office and is one of the acceptable forms of identification. You must be listed on the Electoral Register to get a card.

What are the other acceptable forms of photographic identification? :
The full list of identification documents accepted at polling stations is as follows:
** A UK, Irish or EEA driving licence (photographic part)
** A UK, Irish or EU passport (note: EU passports are not accepted at UK Parliamentary elections)
** An Electoral Identity Card
** A Translink Senior SmartPass
** A Translink 60+ SmartPass
** A Translink War Disabled SmartPass
** A Translink Blind Person’s SmartPass

Do I need a card if I have a postal or proxy vote? :
No. Photographic identification is only required if you intend to vote at a polling station.

How long will it take for the card to be issued? :
The card will normally be issued within 10 working days of the application date, provided you are listed on the Electoral Register. Otherwise, your card will be issued within 10 working days of the date you are added to the Register.

Note: applications taken at schools take 2-3 months to be processed due to the volume of applications received.

Can the card be used for anything other than voting? :
The purpose of the card is to identify you for voting purposes. However, it is also accepted by some UK airlines and banks/building societies as proof of identity and age.