Do Have To Have An I.d. To Register To Vote

Voter ID

Identification Requirements for Voting

Nether Texas law, voters who possess one of the vii acceptable forms of photo ID must present that ID at the polls when voting in person. Voters who practice not possess and cannot reasonably obtain one of the seven approved forms of photo ID may fill out a Reasonable Impediment Declaration (RID) (PDF) at the polls and nowadays an alternative form of ID, such as a utility bill, bank argument, government bank check, or a voter registration certificate.

Vote Ready (PDF)

Here is a list of the acceptable forms of photo ID:

Texas Driver License issued past the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS)
Texas Election Identification Certificate issued by DPS
Texas Personal Identification Bill of fare issued by DPS
Texas Handgun License issued past DPS
United States War machine Identification Card containing the person's photo
Us Citizenship Certificate containing the person's photograph
Us Passport (book or carte du jour)

With the exception of the U.South. Citizenship Document, which does non elapse, for voters aged 18-69, the acceptable form of photograph identification may be expired no more than four years before being presented for voter qualification at the polling place. For voters aged 70 or older, the acceptable class of photo identification may be expired for any length of time if the identification is otherwise valid.
Election Identification Certificates are bachelor from DPS driver license offices during regular business hours. Discover mobile station locations hither.

Here is a list of the supporting forms of ID that can be presented if the voter does non possess one of the forms of acceptable photo ID and cannot reasonably obtain one:

re-create or original of a government document that shows the voter'south name and an address, including the voter's voter registration certificate;
re-create of or original electric current utility bill;
copy of or original bank statement;
copy of or original government bank check;
copy of or original paycheck; or
re-create of or original of (a) a certified domestic (from a U.S. state or territory) birth certificate or (b) a certificate confirming birth open-door in a court of police force which establishes the voter's identity (which may include a strange birth certificate).

After presenting 1 of the forms of supporting ID listed in a higher place, the voter must execute a Reasonable Impediment Declaration.

Procedures for Voting

When a voter arrives at a polling location, the voter will be asked to present i of the seven (vii) acceptable forms of photo ID that is current or, for voters anile eighteen-69, expired no more than than 4 years. Voters anile seventy or older may present one of the 7 (7) acceptable forms of photograph ID that is expired for whatsoever length of time that is otherwise valid. If a voter does non possess one of the vii (seven) acceptable forms of photo ID and cannot reasonably obtain ane, the voter may present a supporting form of ID and execute a Reasonable Impediment Declaration, noting the voter's reasonable impediment to obtaining an acceptable form of photo identification, stating that the information contained in the announcement is true, that the voter is the same individual personally appearing at the polling place to sign the annunciation, and that the voter faces a reasonable impediment to procuring an acceptable form of photograph identification.

Election officials are still required by Land law to determine whether the voter's proper noun on the identification provided (acceptable photo ID, or supporting form of ID, if applicative) matches the name on the official list of registered voters ("OLRV"). After a voter presents their ID, whether it's an acceptable form of photograph ID or a supporting form of ID (if applicable), the election worker will compare information technology to the OLRV. If the proper noun on the ID matches the name on the listing of registered voters, the voter will follow the regular procedures for voting.

If the name does non match exactly but is "essentially similar" to the proper name on the OLRV, the voter will be permitted to vote as long as the voter signs an affidavit stating that the voter is the aforementioned person on the list of registered voters.

If a voter possesses an adequate grade of photo ID just does not have it at the polling place, the voter will still be permitted to vote provisionally. The voter will have 6 (half-dozen) days to present an acceptable form of photo identification to the county voter registrar, or fill out the natural disaster affidavit referenced in the Exemption/Exceptions department below, or the voter's ballot will be rejected. Alternatively, a voter who possesses an acceptable form of photo ID but does not have it at the polling place may choose to go out the polling identify and render before the close of the polls on ballot twenty-four hour period with said acceptable form of photo ID to, if the voter would otherwise qualify, vote a regular ballot at that fourth dimension.

Exemptions:

Voters with a disability may utilize with the county voter registrar for a permanent exemption to presenting an acceptable photo identification or following the Reasonable Impediment Announcement procedure in the county. The application must contain written documentation from either the U.S. Social Security Assistants evidencing the applicant's disability, or from the U.S. Section of Veterans Affairs evidencing a inability rating of at least fifty percent. The applicant must besides state that he/she does not have a course of identification prescribed by Section 63.0101 of the Texas Election Code. Those who obtain a disability exemption will be immune to vote upon brandish of their voter registration certificate reflecting the exemption, and will not need to execute a Reasonable Impediment Announcement. Please contact your canton voter registrar for more details.

Voters who accept a consistent religious objection to beingness photographed or who do not present an acceptable grade of photo identification listed higher up or follow the Reasonable Impediment Proclamation procedure because of certain natural disasters as declared by the President of the U.s.a. or the Texas Governor, may vote a provisional election, announced at the voter registrar'due south office inside six (6) calendar days after election twenty-four hour period, and sign an affidavit swearing to the religious objection or natural disaster, in order for the voter's ballot to be counted. Please contact your county voter registrar for more details.

Oftentimes Asked Questions

What kind of photo identification is required to qualify to vote in person?
The following is a listing of acceptable photo IDs at the polling identify:
- Texas Driver License issued by the Texas Section of Public Safety (DPS)
- Texas Ballot Identification Certificate issued by DPS
- Texas Personal Identification Card issued by DPS
- Texas Handgun License issued by DPS
- United States Armed forces Identification Card containing the person's photograph
- United States Citizenship Certificate containing the person's photograph
- U.s.a. Passport (book or carte)
With the exception of the U.South. Citizenship Certificate, which does not expire, for voters aged 18-69, the acceptable form of photo identification may be expired no more four years before beingness presented for voter qualification at the polling place. For voters anile 70 or older, the acceptable form of photo identification may exist expired for any length of fourth dimension if the identification is otherwise valid.
My acceptable photo ID is expired. Will information technology yet work?
With the exception of the U.S. Citizenship Certificate, which does not elapse, for voters aged 18-69, the acceptable photo identification must exist current or have expired no more than 4 years before beingness presented for voter qualification at the polling place. For voters anile 70 or older, the adequate class of photo identification may be expired for any length of fourth dimension if the identification is otherwise valid.
What if a voter does non have any of the acceptable forms of photograph ID?
If a voter does not possess an acceptable form of photo ID and the voter cannot reasonably obtain such ID, the voter may still bandage a regular ballot past presenting a supporting course of ID and executing a Reasonable Impediment Declaration, noting the voter's reasonable impediment to obtaining an acceptable form of photograph identification, stating that the information independent in the declaration is true, that the voter is the same individual personally actualization at the polling place to sign the declaration, and that the voter faces a reasonable impediment to procuring an acceptable form of photo identification.
Here is a list of supporting forms of ID:
- copy or original of a government document that shows the voter's name and an address, including the voter's voter registration certificate;
- copy of or original current utility bill;
- re-create of or original bank statement;
- copy of or original authorities bank check;
- copy of or original paycheck; or
- copy of or original of (a) a certified domestic (from a U.Southward. country or territory) birth certificate or (b) a document confirming nascency admissible in a courtroom of law which establishes the voter'south identity (which may include a foreign birth document).
Voters with a disability may utilise with the county voter registrar for a permanent exemption to presenting an adequate photo identification or following the Reasonable Impediment Declaration procedure in the county. The application must contain written documentation from either the U.Southward. Social Security Administration evidencing the bidder'south inability, or from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs evidencing a disability rating of at least 50 percentage. The bidder must also country that he/she does not have a grade of identification prescribed past Section 63.0101 of the Texas Election Code. Those who obtain a inability exemption will be allowed to vote upon display of their voter registration certificate reflecting the exemption, and will not need to execute a Reasonable Impediment Proclamation.
If a voter states that they (a) do not possess an adequate form of photo identification listed above, and the voter can reasonably obtain one of these acceptable forms of identification or (b) possesses, but did non bring to the polling place, one of the seven forms of acceptable photo identification listed above, the voter may cast a provisional ballot at the polls. However, in order to take the provisional election counted, the voter will exist required to visit the voter registrar's office within half dozen calendar days of the date of the ballot to present one of the above forms of photo ID; OR, if applicative, submit one of the temporary affidavits addressed in these FAQs (e.g., religious objection or natural disaster); OR, if applicable, authorize for the disability exemption addressed in these FAQs, in the presence of the county voter registrar. Alternatively, the voter may choose to leave the polling place and return before the close of the polls on election day with an acceptable form of photo ID to, if they otherwise qualify, vote a regular ballot at that fourth dimension.

Voters who have a consistent religious objection to existence photographed or who exercise not nowadays an adequate form of photo identification listed to a higher place or follow the Reasonable Impediment Declaration process because of certain natural disasters as alleged by the President of the United States or the Texas Governor, may vote a conditional election, appear at the voter registrar'south office within six (six) calendar days after election day, and sign an
affidavit swearing to the religious objection or natural disaster, in social club for the voter'south ballot to exist counted. Please contact your canton voter registrar for more details.
What is a reasonable impediment?
Reasonable impediments identified on the Reasonable Impediment Annunciation are: lack of transportation, disability or illness, lack of nascence certificate or other documents needed to obtain acceptable photo ID, work schedule, family responsibilities, lost or stolen ID, or acceptable class of photo ID applied for only non received. You must authorize for one of these reasonable impediments in order to execute a Reasonable Impediment Declaration. A person is subject to prosecution for perjury under Chapter 37, Penal Code, or Section 63.0013 of the Texas Election Code for providing a false statement or simulated data on a Reasonable Impediment Declaration.
What if a voter does non take any form of ID with them at the polling place and they do not accept a disability exemption when they visit the polling place?
If a voter does not possess an acceptable form of photo ID, cannot reasonably obtain one, and does not take or does not bring a supporting form of ID to present in connection with a Reasonable Impediment Annunciation, or if the voter does not possess an acceptable form of photo ID and tin can reasonably obtain an acceptable form of photo ID, or if the voter possesses, but did not bring with them, an acceptable form of photo ID, the voter may cast a conditional election at the polls. All the same, in order to have the provisional election counted the voter will be required to visit the county voter registrar's office within half dozen calendar days of the date of the election to nowadays an acceptable form of photo ID; OR, if the voter does not possess and cannot reasonably obtain an acceptable grade of photo ID, follow the Reasonable Impediment Proclamation procedure; OR, if applicable, submit i of the temporary affidavits addressed in these FAQs (religious objection or natural disaster) in the presence of the county voter registrar; OR, if applicable, qualify for the inability exemption addressed in these FAQs with the county voter registrar.

Alternatively, a voter who possesses an acceptable form of photograph ID but does not have it at the polling place, or a voter who does not possess an acceptable class of photograph ID, and is reasonably able to obtain one, may choose to leave the polling place and return before the close of the polls on election day with an adequate form of photograph ID to vote a regular ballot at that time. In addition, a voter who does non possess, would otherwise non exist able to reasonably obtain an acceptable form of photo ID, but did not bring a supporting form of ID to the polling identify, may choose to exit the polling place and return earlier the shut of the polls on election day with said supporting form of ID to make full out the Reasonable Impediment Declaration and, if they otherwise authorize, vote a regular ballot at that time.
What if my acceptable course of photo ID was lost, stolen, suspended, revoked or is expired more than than iv years?
A voter whose photo identification has been lost, stolen, suspended, revoked or, for voters anile 18-69, expired more than four years does not possess one of the acceptable forms of photograph ID, and, if the voter cannot reasonably obtain a replacement of the identification that was lost, stolen, suspended, revoked or expired or another form of acceptable photo ID, the voter is eligible to present a supporting form of ID, execute a Reasonable Impediment Announcement, and, assuming they otherwise qualify, vote a regular ballot.
My name on my approved photo ID or my supporting ID (if applicative) does non exactly match my proper noun on my voter registration card. Tin can I all the same vote?
Election officials will review the ID and if a proper name is "
essentially similar" to the name on their list of registered voters, you volition nonetheless be able to vote, but yous volition also accept to submit an affidavit stating that you are the same person on the list of registered voters.
What does "essentially similar" hateful?
A voter's name is considered substantially similar if one or more of the following circumstances applies:
- The proper name on the ID is slightly different from one or more of the name fields on the official list of registered voters.
- The proper noun on the voter's ID or on the listing of registered voters is a customary variation of the voter'south formal proper noun. For example, Bill for William
- The voter'southward name contains an initial, center name, or former name that is either not on the official list of registered voters or on the voter's ID.
- A starting time proper noun, eye name, former name or initial of the voter's name occupies a different field on the presented ID document than it does on the listing of registered voters.
In considering whether a name is substantially similar, election officials will besides await at whether information on the presented ID matches elements of the voter's information on the official list of registered voters such as the voter's residence address or date of birth.
Is the DPS Election Identification Certificate nonetheless going to exist bachelor?
Yes. The Election Identification Certificate is now available, and will be still be a form of acceptable photo ID. Data regarding how to obtain an ballot identification certificate tin can be establish at www.dps.texas.gov. You may also contact DPS past telephone at (512) 424-2600 for more than information.

Should you demand boosted information, please contact our office via telephone at 1-800-252-VOTE (8683) or email us.