The Basic Requirements for All Registrants
Before you even get to your ID, you must meet a few core requirements to register to vote in Alabama. To be eligible, you must be a citizen of the United States and a resident of Alabama. You also need to be at least 18 years old on or before Election Day. Additionally, you cannot have been convicted of a disqualifying felony without your voting rights being restored, nor can you have been legally declared "mentally incompetent" by a court. These rules apply to every aspiring voter in the state, regardless of how or where they register.
ID for Online and Mail-In Registration
How you register often determines the specific ID information you’ll need. For those using Alabama's online voter registration portal, a valid Alabama Driver’s License or a valid Alabama Non-Driver ID card is required.
The system uses the number from one of these cards to verify your identity and pull your signature on file. If you are registering by mail, the state's voter registration form has a space for your Alabama Driver's License or Non-Driver ID number. If you don't have either, you must provide the last four digits of your Social Security number. While not mandatory to complete the form, the mail-in application requests that you include a copy of a valid photo ID. Documents you could send include a copy of a current and valid photo ID, a government check, a paycheck, or another government document that shows your name and address. This is part of the federal Help America Vote Act for first-time voters registering by mail.
In-Person Registration and Providing ID
Registering in person happens at various locations, including your local Board of Registrars office, when you're renewing your driver's license, or at certain public agencies like those providing WIC or Medicaid services. When you register in person, especially at a government agency, you will typically already be providing documentation that serves to verify your identity as part of the primary service you are there for. The process is designed to be integrated and seamless. You can fill out the standard Alabama Voter Registration Form on-site, which includes the fields for your ID numbers. This method is particularly helpful if you need assistance filling out the form or want to ensure it's submitted correctly on the spot.
Registration ID vs. Photo ID for Voting
A common point of confusion is the difference between the identification needed to register and the photo ID required to vote. When you go to the polls on Election Day in Alabama, you must present a specific form of photo ID. This list includes a valid Alabama Driver's License, a U.S. passport, a military ID, or a free Alabama Photo Voter ID card, among others. The ID you use to register (like your Social Security number) might not be the same as what you use at the polls. For example, your Social Security number helps get you registered, but you cannot present your Social Security card as a valid ID to cast a ballot. If you don't have an approved photo ID for voting, you can obtain a free Alabama Photo Voter ID card from the Secretary of State's office, your local Board of Registrars, or a mobile ID location.
