Identification requirements

Updated 4 December 2024

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This publication is available at https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/terms-and-conditions-for-booking-and-taking-the-life-in-the-uk-test/identification-requirements-accessible-version

Acceptable forms of identification for candidates – original documents only

UK Visa and Immigration’s (UKVI) ‘View and prove’ service for UKVI account holders is not currently available for Life in the UK tests, but will be in the future.

Initially, from 1 January 2025, expired biometric residence permits (BRPs) can be used to make a secure English language test or a Life in the UK test booking.

You must bring your expired BRP with you on the test day.

General identification document rules

Documents must contain a photograph that is a true likeness of the candidate.

The document presented on the day of the test to confirm your identity must be the same document you used to register and book the test.

The details used to book your test must be as stated on the document provided. If you have changed your name you must also provide evidence in Section 2.

Acceptable documents – examples of acceptable documents

Biometric Residence Permit (BRP) or Biometric Residence Card (BRC)

BRPs and BRCs are standalone and not affixed to any other documents. This must be in date.

Obverse and reverse specimen image design of Biometric Residence Permit in circulation from the beginning of January 2021.

European Union (EU), European Economic Area (EEA) and Switzerland Identity Card

This must be in date.

Example image design of EU identity cards, in this case the Polish and the Romanian identity card.

Passport

Documents must be original and still valid.

Photocopies or expired (out of date) documents will not be accepted.

Example image design of national passports, in this case the passports of China, India, Pakistan, Philippines, the United States of American and New Zealand.

Travel document

This must be in date.

Emergency travel documents will not be accepted.

Specimen image design of United Kingdom Certificate of Travel, series C, Travel Document; Specimen image design of United Kingdom 1951 Convention Travel Document and 1954 Convention Travel Document.

Identification requirements