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

If you live in England and Northern Ireland

You must be aged 16 or over.

You can register to vote if you’re a British citizen or an Irish citizen. 

You can also register if you have permission to enter or stay in the UK, Channel Islands or Isle of Man - or you do not need permission - and you’re a:

  • Commonwealth citizen 
  • citizen of Denmark, Luxembourg, Poland, Portugal or Spain 
  • citizen of another EU country, if you have had permission to enter or stay - or not needed permission - since 31 December 2020, and this has continued without a break

If you live in Scotland

You must be aged 14 or over.

You can register to vote if you’re a British citizen or an Irish citizen.

You can also register if you have permission to enter or stay in the UK, Channel Islands or Isle of Man, or you do not need permission. 

If you live in Wales

You must be aged 14 or over.

You can register to vote if you’re a British citizen, Irish citizen or a citizen of an EU country.

You can also register if you have permission to enter or stay in the UK, Channel Islands or Isle of Man, or you do not need permission.

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.

Register online

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. 

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).

Find your National Insurance number. 

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.

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. You are currently viewing: Register to vote - apply online
    1. 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