Apply for a postal vote

Use this service to apply for a postal vote in:

  • general elections and other UK Parliamentary elections
  • local elections in England (including mayors)
  • Police and Crime Commissioner elections in England and Wales
  • referendums
  • MP recall petitions

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

You must apply no later than 5pm, 11 working days before the first election you want a postal vote for.

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.

Other ways to apply

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.

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 need to register to vote in elections and referendums. You need to register again if you have changed your name, address or nationality.

    1. Register to vote online
    1. Register to vote using a paper form

  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

    Contact your local electoral registration office to find your polling station or to find out what to do if you have accessibility needs.

    1. Contact the local electoral registration office

  5. or Apply for a postal vote

    In England, Scotland or Wales:

    You must apply no later than 5pm, 11 working days before the election.

    1. Apply in Northern Ireland

  6. or Apply for a proxy vote

    In England, Scotland or Wales:

    You must apply by 5pm, at least 6 working days before polling day.

    1. Apply in Northern Ireland

  7. or Get ready to vote as a proxy

    1. Check what ID you need to vote

    Contact the local 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 local 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