If you are applying for your first Blue Badge or reapplying for a new one, you will need to include some information and documents.
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:
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 sometime 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
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.
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 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.
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.
On the government website you can find out:
- who is eligible for a Blue Badge
- 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
We cannot accept appointment confirmation letters or outdated letters.
GDPR requirements prevent us contacting doctors or surgeries 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 have a completed SR1 form already, you should send it to us as part of your application.
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.
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, you can:
- complete the Blue Badge contact form
- telephone 01296 382 902
- write to us at Blue Badge Applications, 5th Floor, Walton Street Offices, Walton Street, Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire HP20 1UA