Apply for or renew a Blue Badge
What you need to apply
If you are applying for your first Blue Badge or reapplying for a new one, you will need to include some information and documents.
If you do not upload your supporting documents when you apply, we will write to you and suspend your application whilst we wait to receive them.
You will have 4 weeks to send the evidence we need. If we do not receive it within 4 weeks, we will close your application and you will need to submit a new application.
Required documents
You must provide the following as part of all applications:
You'll need to provide a photo of the person who requires the Blue Badge (not a carer or relative who helps).
Your photograph must be plain and simple, like a passport photo.
You can send a photo taken on a digital camera or smartphone. You do not need a photograph taken in a photo booth or by a professional photographer.
Your photo must:
- be taken within the last month
- not been used previously for any other blue badge
- be in colour
- only show only the applicant
- be a photograph, not a picture of another document such as a passport
- be unedited, unfiltered and show a true likeness
- show the applicant without a hat or sunglasses unless worn for religious or medical reasons
- must be appropriately clothed
You must send a copy of one of these documents:
- valid passport (photograph pages)
- 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 in the post.
You cannot use your driving licence as both proof of identity and proof of address. You can only use your driving licence once when applying for a Blue Badge.
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 and the date of the letter shown)
- any letter from the Pension Service (with your address and the date of the letter shown)
- any letter from HMRC (with your address and the date of the letter shown)
We also accept a bank or building society statement, gas, electricity, water or telephone bills dated within the last 3 months.
If you're applying on behalf of your child you can send in proof of address in the parent or guardians name.
Only send copies of these documents. Do not send originals.
You cannot use your driving licence as both proof of identity and proof of address.
You can only use your driving licence once when applying for a Blue Badge.
Before you apply, check the government guidance on eligibility and supporting evidence.
We accept a range of recent medical evidence, we will require the complete letters/reports including:
- letters from healthcare professionals involved with the management of your condition
- physiotherapist discharge reports
- ongoing treatment letters
- appointment outcome letters from your specialist
We cannot accept:
- outdated evidence
- appointment booking confirmation letters
- NHS app screenshots
- evidence where no patient details are visible
Data protection laws prevent us from contacting your doctor or surgery on your behalf.
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
We recommend you request a copy of your award from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) before you apply.
All documents should be dated within the last year.
If you 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 this 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 understand that not everyone with a life-limiting condition will have been issued with an SR1 form.
If your healthcare professional has not decided to issue you with an SR1, you can still apply for a Blue Badge but we will still need to assess your eligibility.
You will need to provide:
- proof of identity
- proof of address
- a recent passport-style photograph
- your latest medical evidence, including any consultation letters (all pages)
Sending as much relevant information as possible will help us assess your application and decide whether you qualify for a Blue Badge.
Contact the Blue Badge Team
If you have questions that are not answered on this page about the documents or evidence you need to send us when applying for a Blue Badge, complete the Blue Badge contact form.