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You are here: Home > Tickets & fares > Season tickets > Photocards

Photocards

You need a photocard to buy most Season tickets. These are issued free of charge from ticket offices. You must provide a recent passport-type photograph of yourself.

Where required, your photocard number must be on your Season ticket. For your Season ticket to be valid, you must show both your Season ticket and photocard with matching numbers if requested by rail staff. Failure to provide a photocard with your Season ticket when requested by a member of staff may result in being charged for a day ticket or a penalty fare.

Photocards for Children

All children aged between 5 and 15 (inclusive) require a photocard. Proof of age will be required when the Season ticket is issued.

A photocard for a child aged under 14 is valid for 2 calendar years from the date of issue. So, for example, a card issued on 22 January 2010, expires on 21 January 2012.

If the child reaches 16 within 2 1/2 years of the photocard being issued, the photocard will be dated to expire on the day before their 16th birthday.

Photocards for Smartcards

Holders of Smartcards who wish to purchase monthly Smart season tickets from the Southern website must have a photo on their Smartcard. If you are purchasing a weekly Smart season, you will not require a photo on your card. During the purchase process of a Smart season ticket you will be asked to enter your name and photocard ID, please enter your name and the last 8 numbers on the front or the reverse of your card. If you have a Smartcard without a photo attached and you wish to purchase a monthly season, you will need to contact customer Services in order to have a new card sent to you. Please note that annual Smart season tickets are currently not available as the scheme is currently in a pilot.

Are there any Season tickets that do not require a photocard?

Holders of Period / Annual Travelcards issued on Oyster by Train Companies or Transport for London do not require Photocards to support their ticket.

What happens if my photocard is lost or stolen?

If you lose your photocard or it is stolen, a ticket office can issue a new one, for which a further passport-type photograph is required. If you need to have your Season ticket reissued an administration charge will be made.

Please see the National Rail Enquiries - Season ticket terms and conditions