Documents you need to apply for a Blue Badge

Proof of identity

This document will prove who you are.

You can use a:

• full driving license (in date)
• passport
• HM Forces ID card
• ID card for foreign nationals
• certificate of British nationals
• birth certificate
• Citizen Card (Photo National ID card for the UK)

Proof of residency

This document will prove where you live. It needs to be dated within the last 12 months.

You can use a:

• council tax or utility bill
• benefit, pension, hospital or GP letter
• Letter from Care home (to be on headed paper and should include your name and date your residency began)
• Lasting Power of Attorney Health and Welfare evidence, if the badge needs to be sent to the appointed power of attorney

Photograph

Photos need to be of a passport style but don't need to be taken in a photo booth or by a professional. They can be taken with a digital camera or smartphone.
Your photo must be:

• taken within the last 6 months
• of you on your own
• a close-up of your head and shoulders and you must be wearing clothing
• in colour - we don't accept black and white
• sharp and in focus with a clear difference between your face and the background
• taken against a plain, light background
• of you looking straight at the camera
• showing your full head (no hats), unless you cover your head for religious or medical reasons.

See examples of acceptable photos from the HM Passport Office.

Supporting documents

If you automatically qualify for a badge, we will need to see the relevant evidence from one of the documents below:

• Certificate of Visual Impairment confirming severe sight impairment
• Personal Independence Payment (PIP) award letter dated within the last 12 months. It must include the front page and all pages showing the breakdown of points you have been awarded and include the dates the award is valid from and to.
• Higher Rate Mobility Component of Disability Living Allowance award letter, dated in the last 12 months
• War Pensioners' Mobility Supplement Award letter, dated in the last 12 months
• Armed Forces and Reserve Forces (Compensation) Scheme within tariff levels 1-8 (inclusive) award letter

Hidden disabilities

We may ask you to get a HD1 form (PDF, 254KB) completed to support your application.

Cannot upload documents to your application

If you are not able to upload your documents or photograph, you can:

1. bypass the sections of the form when it asks you to upload by selecting 'I cannot scan or upload’
2. then select ‘continue without uploading’

Sending your documents to us

If you are unable to upload your documents, please scan and email them to us at bluebadgeteam@suffolk.gov.uk or send photocopies to us (not originals) by registered post to:

If you require any further assistance regarding the Blue Badge application process, please call us on 0808 800 4005.