Search all content on GOV.UK

An overview of voting in the UK, including voting in person, postal and proxy voting, and voting if you're abroad.

• Overview

  You need to be registered to vote before you can vote in UK elections or…

• Voting in person

  You vote in person at a polling station (usually in a public building,…

• Voting by post

  You must apply for a postal vote if you want to vote by post, for example…

• Voting by proxy

  If you’re unable to vote in person you can ask someone to vote on your…

• Voting from abroad

  How you vote when you’re abroad depends on: whether you’ll be abroad…

• Photo ID you'll need

  You’ll need to show photo ID when voting in person in some UK elections or…

• Voting as a proxy for someone else

  You may be asked to vote on behalf of someone else if they’re unable to…

The adoption process - eligibility, assessment, adoption agencies, adoption court orders, overseas adoptions and the rights of birth parents.

• Overview

  To be adopted, a child must: be under the age of 18 when the adoption…

• Early stages of adoption

  To adopt a child you can go through either: an adoption agency that’s part…

• Adoption assessment

  Once the agency gets your application it will do the following: Invite you…

• Applying for an adoption court order

  To make an adoption legal, you need to apply for an adoption court order.…

• Adopting a stepchild

  You need to tell your local council if you want to adopt your spouse’s or…

• Adopting a child from overseas

  You can adopt a child from overseas if: they cannot be cared for in a safe…

• Birth parents: your rights

  For another couple (or person) to adopt your child, you normally have to…

Recognised bodies, listed bodies, recognised universities, accredited higher learning institutions, bogus degrees

• Overview

  You can check if a degree you’re studying for is officially recognised. If…

• Recognised bodies in Wales

  Recognised bodies are higher learning institutions that can award degrees.…

• Recognised awards

  Certain bodies or institutions can award their own unique degrees. These…

How to pay Inheritance Tax: get a reference number, payment methods, use the deceased's bank account, National Savings and Investments, government stock, yearly instalments.

To change your name or other personal details on your passport, send the standard passport application form with evidence about the change

Employment status (worker, employee, self-employed, director or contractor) affects employment rights and employer responsibilities in the workplace

Guidance for employees and employers: employment rights when on maternity, paternity, adoption, neonatal care or parental bereavement leave - keeping in touch days, annual leave, returning to work, redundancy.

Reapply for a driving licence if your licence was taken away (revoked) or if you surrendered your licence following a medical condition

How and when to report changes that affect your Child Benefit payments, such as earnings going above £60,000. How to update a change of address or bank details.

A Vaccine Damage Payment is a one-off tax-free payment of £120,000 if you're severely disabled as a result of vaccination against certain diseases - what you'll get, eligibility and applying.