Register to vote - GOV.UK Cookies on GOV.UK We use some essential cookies to make this website work. We’d like to set additional cookies to understand how you use GOV.UK, remember your settings and improve government services. We also use cookies set by other sites to help us deliver content from their services. You have accepted additional cookies. You can change your cookie settings at any time. You have rejected additional cookies. You can change your cookie settings at any time. View cookies Part of Vote in UK elections Register to vote You can use this service to: get on the electoral register so you can vote in elections and referendums in the UK opt out of the ‘open’ register - the version of the electoral register that’s available for anyone to buy update your name, address or nationality by registering again with your new details (if you live in the UK) There’s a different process to register anonymously , for example if you’re concerned about your safety or the safety of someone in your household. You can check if you’re already registered to vote by contacting your electoral registration office This service is also available in Welsh (Cymraeg) You can no longer register to vote in the elections on 7 May 2026. You can still register for future elections and referendums. Register online You normally only need to register once - not for every election. You’ll need to register again if you’ve changed your name, address or nationality. It usually takes about 5 minutes. Start now Before you start You’ll be asked for your National Insurance number (but you can still register if you do not have one). Find your National Insurance number Who can register to vote You can register to vote up to 2 years before you reach voting age - check the rules around voting in the UK If you live in England or Northern Ireland You must be aged 16 or over to register. You can register to vote if you’re a British citizen or an Irish citizen. You can also register if you have permission (or do not need permission) to enter or stay in the UK, Channel Islands or Isle of Man and you’re: a Commonwealth citizen (including citizens of Cyprus and Malta) a citizen of Denmark, Luxembourg, Poland, Portugal or Spain a citizen of another EU country, who on or before 31 December 2020 had permission to enter or stay (or did not need permission) and this has continued without a break If you live in Scotland or Wales You must be aged 14 or over to register. You can register to vote if you’re a British citizen or an Irish citizen. You can also register if you have permission to enter or stay in the UK, Channel Islands or Isle of Man, or you do not need permission. If you live abroad You can register as an overseas voter if you’ve previously lived in the UK and are either: a British citizen an eligible Irish citizen registering to vote in Northern Ireland You’ll need to give the postcode of the last UK address you were registered to vote at. If you’ve never registered to vote, you’ll need to give the postcode of the last UK address you lived at. Contact your electoral registration office if you cannot remember which address you were last registered at. You may also be asked for your passport details. You’ll need to renew your registration to vote from abroad every 3 years. There’s a different way to register as an overseas voter if you’re: registering to vote in Northern Ireland registering as a Crown servant or British council employee registering as a member of the armed forces Find out more about voting if you move or live abroad Register using a paper form You can register using a paper form in England, Wales and Scotland You’ll need to print, fill in and send the form to your electoral registration office There’s a different paper form if you’re registering in Northern Ireland . Return the form to the Electoral Office for Northern Ireland (EONI) Get help registering You can get help registering from your electoral registration office There’s an easy read guide about registering to vote After you’ve registered Your name and address will appear on the electoral register. It will also appear on the ‘open’ register unless you asked to opt out when registering. You can then: vote in person apply for a postal vote apply for a proxy vote This page is Part of Vote in UK elections Step Check if you can vote Check which elections you can vote in Step Register to vote You’ll need to be registered to vote to take part in elections and referendums. You’ll need to register again if you change your name, address or nationality. You are currently viewing: Register to vote - apply online Register to vote - apply by post Step Decide if you want to vote in person, by post, or by proxy Find out the different ways you can vote Step Get ready to vote in person Check what ID you need to vote If you do not have photo ID that allows you to vote, you can apply for a Voter Authority Certificate. Apply for a Voter Authority Certificate Contact your electoral registration office to find your polling station or to find out what to do if you have accessibility needs. Contact your electoral registration office or Apply for a postal vote In England, Scotland or Wales: apply online for a postal vote apply by post for a postal vote Apply in Northern Ireland - by post only Find out more about voting by post or Apply for a proxy vote In England, Scotland or Wales: apply online for a proxy vote apply by post for a proxy vote Apply in Northern Ireland - by post only Find out more about voting by proxy - including when you must apply by or Get ready to vote as a proxy Check what ID you need to vote Contact the electoral registration office of the person you are a proxy for to find their polling station or to find out what to do if you have accessibility issues. Contact the electoral registration office Step Vote in person Vote in person or Vote by post Vote by post or Vote as a proxy for someone else Vote as a proxy for someone else Is this page useful? 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