In this section
Your Blue Badge application may be delayed if you don't send the right documents, so check before making your application.
The things you need to send are:
Photograph
You'll need to provide a photo of the person who requires the Blue Badge.
Your photograph must be plain and simple, like a passport photo. Your photo must be:
- taken some time over the last 6 months
- different to the photograph you used if you had a Blue Badge before
- of you, by yourself, with nobody else in the shot
- a close-up of your head and shoulders only
- in colour (we cannot accept black and white photos)
- sharp and in focus
- taken against a plain, light background such as a white wall, so that your face is clearly visible
- of you looking straight at the camera
- of your full head, unless you cover your head for religious or medical reasons
Proof of identity
You must send a copy of one of these documents:
- valid passport (photograph page)
- valid photocard driving licence (the front of the photocard showing your name, address, photograph and signature)
- marriage/civil partnership or divorce certificate
- civil partnership or dissolution certificate
- birth or adoption certificate
- ID for foreign nationals
- HM Forces ID card
- certificate of British nationality
Only send copies of these documents. Do not send originals.
Proof of address
You must send one of the following items dated within the last 12 months:
- Council Tax bill
- valid photocard driving licence (copy of the front of the photocard showing your name, address, photograph and signature)
- benefit letter (with your address shown)
- any letter from the Pension Service
- any letter from HMRC
We also accept a bank or building society statement, gas, electricity, water or telephone bills dated within the last 3 months.
Only send copies of these documents. Do not send originals.
Proof you are eligible
On the government website you can find out who is eligible for a Blue Badge and what supporting medical evidence of your condition we need to see to understand how your mobility is affected
A wide range of medical evidence is acceptable, including:
- recent letters from medical professionals
- outpatient discharge letters
- ongoing treatment letters
- appointment outcome letters
Any evidence you provide must clearly be identifiable as officially relating to you (showing your name and address/date of birth formally printed by the sender). Screenshots or photos that do not adhere to this cannot be used as evidence to support your application and will be discounted. GDPR requirements prevent us contacting doctors or surgeries on your behalf.
Please note: we cannot accept appointment confirmation letters or outdated letters.
Automatic eligibility
If you meet certain criteria, you will be automatically eligible for a Blue Badge.
To prove your automatic eligibility, you must provide either:
- your most recent PIP documentation
- your most recent DLA documentation
All documents should be dated within the last year.
If your PIP award is for fewer than 3 years
If your PIP award is for fewer than 3 years, you can still apply for a 3-year badge and receive a full assessment. To do this, on the government application form:
- do not declare that you receive PIP
- continue to the further assessment stage
- manually declare that you receive PIP but want a full assessment
Citizens Advice provides guidance on understanding your PIP score.
If you have a terminal illness
We will prioritise your application if you have a terminal illness.
To be considered under these criteria, you must include an SR1 medical report form with your application.
The form is available from GPs, hospitals and hospices and can be used by people with a terminal illness when they're applying for specific benefits.
If you already have an SR1 form
If you have a completed SR1 form already, you should send it to us as part of your application.
If you don't already have an SR1 form
We cannot request an SR1 form on your behalf.
If your illness is terminal, your healthcare professional can complete an SR1 form and provide it to you.
If you do not submit an SR1 form, we will need to assess your application in more detail, and you will need to submit medical evidence.