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Apply to vote by proxy if you're living overseas - paper form

If you're a British citizen living overseas, then you can apply to vote in UK Parliamentary elections by proxy.

Updates to this page

From:
Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government, The Electoral Commission and Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities
Published:
1 March 2017
Last updated:
16 January 2024
Show all updates

  1. Updated to remove “for a particular election or referendum” from the introduction because the law has changed regarding proxy voting.

  2. You can now apply online to vote by proxy. The law has changed regarding people who can be proxies. The paper forms have been updated by the Electoral Commission.

  3. If you are registered to vote and want to vote by proxy in the 5 May 2022 elections, you must submit a proxy vote application form that is received by your local Electoral Registration Office before 5pm on Tuesday 26 April 2022.

  4. Page updated to remove "If you are registered to vote and want to vote by proxy in the 6 May 2021 elections, you must submit a proxy vote application form that is received by your local Electoral Registration Office before 5pm on Tuesday 27 April." This information does not apply to this page.

  5. If you are registered to vote and want to vote by proxy in the 6 May 2021 elections, you must submit a proxy vote application form that is received by your local Electoral Registration Office before 5pm on Tuesday 27 April.

  6. Attachments updated.

  7. Forms updated with new data protection guidance.

  8. Information added to explain that it's now too late to apply by poxy for the 3 May elections.

  9. First published.

Documents

Application to vote by proxy for a British citizen living overseas

PDF, 149 KB, 2 pages

Details

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

This form should only be used if you are registered to vote in England, Scotland or Wales.

If you are registered to vote in Northern Ireland

The rules are different if you want to apply for a proxy vote in Northern Ireland for all elections.

Before you apply

Ask your proxy’s permission before you apply.

Ensure you apply for a proxy vote as soon as possible before an election.

You’ll need:

  • your National Insurance number or any other identity document, for example a birth certificate
  • the address where your proxy is registered to vote
  • contact details for your proxy

Your proxy must be:

  • registered to vote and
  • allowed to vote in the relevant election
  • a proxy for no more than four people - no more than 2 of those people can be domestic electors (voters who are neither overseas voters nor service voters)

How to apply for a proxy vote

Complete and return the form.

You may be able to apply for an emergency proxy vote if the deadline to apply for a proxy vote has passed.

Where to send your form

Send the completed form to your electoral registration office.

Change or update your proxy vote

To change or update who acts as your proxy or to start voting in person, contact your electoral registration office. You must contact your electoral registration office no later than 11 working days before the election and by 5pm on that day.

Stop voting by proxy

If you no longer want to vote by proxy and want to vote by post instead, apply for a postal vote. You must apply no later than 11 working days before the election and by 5pm on that day.

If you want to vote in person instead, contact your electoral registration office. You must contact your electoral registration office no later than 11 working days before the election and by 5pm on that day.

Change from a postal vote to a proxy vote

If you no longer want to vote by post and want to vote by proxy instead, apply for a proxy vote. You must apply no later than 11 working days before the election and by 5pm on that day. 

Other ways to apply 

You can apply online to vote by proxy.

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