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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Getting frustrated to be needing photo ID.

213 replies

Soubriquet · 17/04/2023 09:24

I don’t have a drivers license as I don’t drive. I don’t have a passport as I can’t afford to travel. I also never bothered with photo ID because I don’t drink or smoke.

This seems to be changing lately. Birth certificate and marriage certificates aren’t enough. More places require a photo ID which is a pita for me as it’s an expense I shouldn’t have to fork out for.

Yes, I know it’s better for security and stuff but it’s annoying.

OP posts:
Thread gallery
7
ilovesooty · 17/04/2023 09:25

I think there's a free ID card you can apply for which you will need to be able to vote.

Albiboba · 17/04/2023 09:27

I can’t see how any adult really gets by in life without photo ID if I’m honest.

Original poster
Soubriquet · 17/04/2023 09:27

Albiboba · 17/04/2023 09:27

I can’t see how any adult really gets by in life without photo ID if I’m honest.

Well…I’m 35 this year and managed to get this far in life without it.

OP posts:
SoupDragon · 17/04/2023 09:29

ilovesooty · 17/04/2023 09:25

I think there's a free ID card you can apply for which you will need to be able to vote.

Unfortunately, it says "You cannot use it as proof of identification for any other reason."

Albiboba · 17/04/2023 09:30

Soubriquet · 17/04/2023 09:27

Well…I’m 35 this year and managed to get this far in life without it.

Show quote history

And yet here you are complaining about needing one.

ScottBakula · 17/04/2023 09:31

I agree with you @Soubriquet , I also font drive or travel abroad but due to high security at work I had to get a provisional license.
Though to be fair it easy to obtain and not expensive ( or yhat was the case when I got mine a few years ago )

Chowtime · 17/04/2023 09:33

Yes a lot of people just get a provisional driving licence I think.

It's logical that people want to see photo ID because ID with no photo could belong to anyone really if you think about it.

GoodChat · 17/04/2023 09:33

How have you navigated the workplace for your adult life without photo ID?

Mindymomo · 17/04/2023 09:33

I get it, I tried logging in to gov.uk for my brother who is 65 to check his pension, thinking one form of ID is ok, but no it’s 2 that’s needed. Same as us, we aren’t thinking of going abroad anytime soon, but needed photo ID for Solicitor sorting out a probate sale.

hulahoopqueen · 17/04/2023 09:34

Genuinely interested in what places require you to have a photo ID (besides for voting) if you don't drive, travel (to anywhere that requires a passport) or buy alcohol/cigarettes @Soubriquet ?

Original poster
Soubriquet · 17/04/2023 09:34

Yeah I need one now.

I’ve been fine so far, which is why I’m annoyed. When I get the money (I’m extremely broke right now), I’ll get a citizenship card.

OP posts:
Chersfrozenface · 17/04/2023 09:34

I can't pick up a parcel from the PO distribution office without photo ID - haven't been able to for years.

Anyway, OP, apply for a Voter Authority Certificate.
https://www.gov.uk/apply-for-photo-id-voter-authority-certificate

It's an official government document with your photo on it. I would argue that it should be accepted anywhere a driving licence is

Apply for photo ID to vote (called a ‘Voter Authority Certificate’)

Apply for photo ID to vote (Voter Authority Certificate) in some elections and referendums in Great Britain if you do not have an accepted form of ID.

https://www.gov.uk/apply-for-photo-id-voter-authority-certificate

Original poster
Soubriquet · 17/04/2023 09:35

hulahoopqueen · 17/04/2023 09:34

Genuinely interested in what places require you to have a photo ID (besides for voting) if you don't drive, travel (to anywhere that requires a passport) or buy alcohol/cigarettes @Soubriquet ?

I’ve been trying to open another bank account, which requires photo ID. Didn’t before.

I want to access my medical records, which requires photo ID too.

They can be solved by going to see them in person, but I’m now disabled and find travelling difficult.

OP posts:
Comedycook · 17/04/2023 09:37

How do you get a job without photo id? Everywhere I've ever worked has asked for it

Emigratingimmigrant · 17/04/2023 09:38

I am surprised BC and marriage certificate have been accepted up until now happily for everything. It doesn't even prove nationality or right to reside (which is something banks etc need to check). I knew people who used BC at uni because they had nothing else which I find quite confusing since, again, it doesn't show nationality and therefore which fees to pay?

Albiboba · 17/04/2023 09:38

hulahoopqueen · 17/04/2023 09:34

Genuinely interested in what places require you to have a photo ID (besides for voting) if you don't drive, travel (to anywhere that requires a passport) or buy alcohol/cigarettes @Soubriquet ?

New places of employment will ask for photo ID, estate agents usually ask, similarly for applying for a mortgage, and then basic things like picking up a parcel or applying for a new bank account.

Neededanewuserhandle · 17/04/2023 09:39

Chowtime · 17/04/2023 09:33

Yes a lot of people just get a provisional driving licence I think.

It's logical that people want to see photo ID because ID with no photo could belong to anyone really if you think about it.

That's a laugh - places ask for photo ID but no-one ever scrutinises the photo. I reckon I could use a photo of D Dog in my ID and no-one would notice.

Albiboba · 17/04/2023 09:40

Birth certificate and marriage certificates aren’t enough

What is a marriage certificate proof of other than marriage though?
The only thing I’ve ever needed that for was registering a birth. But even then it also needed photo ID.

CocoPlum · 17/04/2023 09:40

Comedycook · 17/04/2023 09:37

How do you get a job without photo id? Everywhere I've ever worked has asked for it

I deal with right to work checks all the time. A birth certificate plus proof of national insurance number (and any proof of name change) is accepted.

KnittingNeedles · 17/04/2023 09:40

Just apply for a provisional driving licence.

Government issued photo ID is required because it makes it harder to commit fraud. Anyone could take your birth certificate and pretend to be you. Harder to do that when there's a photo. Don't waste your money on a Citizen Card or one of the other PASS cards or similar, those are not "trusted government documents" for the purposes of things like DBS checks.

Original poster
Soubriquet · 17/04/2023 09:40

Well, for now I can’t work. The last job I applied for was in 2019(?) maybe 2018, and my birth and marriage certificates along with my NI was enough.

OP posts:
BarbaraofSeville · 17/04/2023 09:41

OP do you have or can you get a bus pass? They're accepted as photo ID I believe.

DM has her bus pass as her only photo ID, but she's over state pension age. However, I believe that there are sometimes bus passes available to younger people who have disabilities, so might be another option.

https://www.gov.uk/apply-for-disabled-bus-pass

Apply for a disabled person's bus pass

Contact your local council to find out who issues disabled bus passes in your area as part of the English National Concessionary Travel Scheme

https://www.gov.uk/apply-for-disabled-bus-pass

Chowtime · 17/04/2023 09:41

Neededanewuserhandle · 17/04/2023 09:39

That's a laugh - places ask for photo ID but no-one ever scrutinises the photo. I reckon I could use a photo of D Dog in my ID and no-one would notice.

Show quote history

True!

Many years ago I worked at GCHQ and we had to hold up photo ID as we drove in. One morning I held up the piece of toast I was eating and they didn't bat an eyelid, just let me through. I still chuckle about it now.😀

Emigratingimmigrant · 17/04/2023 09:41

CocoPlum · 17/04/2023 09:40

I deal with right to work checks all the time. A birth certificate plus proof of national insurance number (and any proof of name change) is accepted.

Show quote history

Neither are proof of right to work though?