Via School

Please note - cards are no longer available via school photography sessions. All applications must now be via application form (See below)

Via Application form

All applicants will now need to apply for a card via postal application form.

Application forms are available from:

·    Explore card website

·    Suffolk state schools

·    Bus and railway stations;

·    Libraries;

·    Suffolk County Council offices; and

·    Customer Service Direct (CSD) Centres

Application forms are also available on request by phone (0845 606 6171).

Verifying and submitting a form

There are two types of application forms – School forms, which can be completed by applicants attending school (including independent and primary schools); and Non-School forms, for applicants who do not attend school (including those who work, are unemployed, or attend college).

All applications require a passport photo (guidance on acceptable photos is available here).

School forms must be stamped and signed by a member of school staff.

Non-School forms must be accompanied by copies of documents to prove the applicant’s date of birth (e.g. passport, birth certificate etc.) and address (utility, council tax bill etc.). The application must also be verified by a referee, who must be one of the professionals listed on the form (i.e. teacher, doctor etc.). We will then try to contact the referee at their place of work to verify the details given.

Application forms should be submitted by post to:

Explore Card Administrator
Endeavour House
8 Russell Road
Ipswich
Suffolk
IP1 2BX

Cards normally take around 2 – 4 weeks to be issued from the day we receive the application, subject to a successful referee check.

Cards issued to young people under 16 are purple.
Cards issued to young people aged 16 and over are green.