Apply for a postal vote

Use this service to apply for a postal vote in:

  • general elections and other UK Parliamentary elections if you live in England, Scotland or Wales
  • local elections in England (including mayors)
  • Police and Crime Commissioner elections in England and Wales
  • national referendums if you live in England, Scotland or Wales
  • MP recall petitions in England, Scotland or Wales

You must be registered to vote in the UK before you can apply.

If you’re registered to vote anonymously, apply for your postal vote through your local Electoral Registration Office.

There’s a different way to apply:

This service is also available in Welsh (Cymraeg).

Start now

Before you start

You’ll need:

  • the address where you are registered to vote
  • your National Insurance number or other identity documents, for example a passport
  • the specific date of the election or referendum you want to make a postal vote, if you only want a one-off postal vote

You’ll also need to upload a photo of your handwritten signature in black ink on plain white paper.

If you cannot provide a signature or one that always looks the same, you may be able to apply for a postal vote signature waiver within the service.

You might be asked for extra documents to identify you.

If you live abroad

If you live abroad and want to vote by postal vote, make sure you apply for and return your postal vote as soon as possible. It can take a long time for your ballot pack to reach you and get back to the UK, especially if your local postal services are irregular or if you live far from the UK. 

The Electoral Commission advises people living overseas to apply for a proxy vote if possible.

Other ways to apply for a postal vote

If you cannot apply online, download and fill in a postal vote application form. Send it to your local Electoral Registration Office.

Contact your local Electoral Registration Office who can post you a paper form.

If you cannot sign a printed form, contact your local Electoral Registration Office.

Get help applying

There’s an easy read guide about applying for a postal vote online.

Part of Vote in UK elections

  1. Step 1 Check if you can vote

    1. Check which elections you can vote in

  2. Step 2 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.

    1. Register to vote - apply online
    1. Register to vote - apply by post

  3. Step 3 Decide if you want to vote in person, by post, or by proxy

    1. Find out the different ways you can vote

  4. Step 4 Get ready to vote in person

    1. 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.

    1. 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.

    1. Contact your Electoral Registration Office

  5. or Apply for a postal vote

    In England, Scotland or Wales:

    1. Apply in Northern Ireland - by post only
    1. Find out more about voting by post

  6. or Apply for a proxy vote

    In England, Scotland or Wales:

    1. Apply in Northern Ireland - by post only
    1. Find out more about voting by proxy - including when you must apply by

  7. or Get ready to vote as a proxy

    1. 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.

    1. Contact the Electoral Registration Office

  8. Step 5 Vote in person

    1. Vote in person

  9. or Vote by post

    1. Vote by post

  10. or Vote as a proxy for someone else

    1. Vote as a proxy for someone else