Register to vote

You can use this service to:

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

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 - check which elections you’re eligible to vote in.

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. 

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

If you live in the UK you can also use this 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.

Register using a paper form in Northern Ireland. Return the form to the Electoral Office for Northern Ireland (EONI).

If you live abroad

You can use this service to register to vote if you’re a British citizen.

You may need your passport details.

To renew your registration or update your name, address or nationality, contact the Electoral Registration Office that confirmed you are registered as an overseas voter.

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.

  1. Step 1 Check if you can vote

  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. You are currently viewing: 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

  9. or Vote by post

    1. Vote by post
  10. or Vote as a proxy for someone else