Collection

Register to vote (paper forms)

You can use these forms to register to vote if you are from England, Wales or Scotland and are eligible to register to vote.

From:
Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government and Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities
Published
29 April 2015
Last updated
16 March 2026 — See all updates

Deadline for registering to vote in the 7 May 2026 elections

Your electoral registration office must receive your application by 11:59pm on Monday 20 April 2026 to vote in the following elections on 7 May 2026:

  • local government elections
  • Scottish Parliament elections
  • Senedd Cymru (Welsh Parliament) elections
  • mayoral elections in England

Registering in Northern Ireland

You’ll need to use different forms if you are from Northern Ireland.

What you need to know

The form will ask for your National Insurance number (but you can still register if you do not have one). Find your National Insurance number.

Other ways to register

You can apply online to register to vote.

Alternatively, you can contact your electoral registration office and ask them to post a form to you. You’ll then need to return the completed form to your electoral registration office.

Paper forms

Updates to this page

Published 29 April 2015
Last updated 16 March 2026 show all updates

  1. Your electoral registration office must receive your application by 11:59pm on Monday 20 April 2026 to vote in the following elections on 7 May 2026: local government elections; Scottish Parliament elections; Senedd Cymru (Welsh Parliament) elections; mayoral elections in England.

  2. Updated summary.

  3. Callout added to explain that you can no longer register to vote for the May 3rd elections.

  4. First published.

Contents

This page is 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. You are currently viewing: 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