Register to vote

You can use this service to:

  • get on the electoral register so you can vote in elections or referendums
  • update your name, address or nationality by registering again with your new details
  • get on or off the open register

This service is also available in Welsh (Cymraeg).

Who can register

You must be aged 16 or over (or 14 or over in Scotland and Wales).

You must also be one of the following:

  • a British citizen
  • an Irish or EU citizen living in the UK
  • a Commonwealth citizen who has permission to enter or stay in the UK, or who does not need permission
  • a citizen of another country living in Scotland or Wales who has permission to enter or stay in the UK, or who does not need permission

Check which elections you’re eligible to vote in.

You can vote when you’re 18 or over. If you live in Scotland or Wales, you can vote in some elections when you’re 16 or over.

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. 

If you’re in Northern Ireland

From 1 July 2021, the electoral register in Northern Ireland will be renewed as part of the national canvass. If you want to vote in future elections, you must register to vote after 1 July, even if you’ve registered before.

Register online

It usually takes about 5 minutes.

Start now

What you need to know

You’ll be asked for your National Insurance number (but you can still register if you do not have one).

After you’ve registered, your name and address will appear on the electoral register.

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.

Check if you’re already registered

Contact your local Electoral Registration Office to find out if you’re already registered to vote.

Update your registration

You can also use the ‘Register to vote’ service to:

  • change your name, address or nationality
  • get on or off the open register

To do this, you need to register again with your new details (even if you’re already registered to vote).

Register using a paper form

You can register using a paper form in England, Wales and Scotland.

You’ll need to print, fill out and send the form to your local Electoral Registration Office.

If you’re in Northern Ireland, register using a paper form and return it to the Electoral Office for Northern Ireland (EONI).

If you live abroad

You can use this service to register to vote (or to renew or update your registration) if you both:

  • are a British citizen
  • were registered to vote within the last 15 years (or, in some cases, if you were too young to register when you were in the UK)

You may need your passport details.

If you previously lived in Northern Ireland and want to vote there, use the Northern Ireland overseas elector registration form.

If you’re a public servant posted overseas

There’s a different service for public servants (and their spouses and civil partners) who are posted overseas as:

Get help registering

You can get help registering from your local Electoral Registration Office.

There’s an easy read guide about registering to vote.

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