Register to vote

You will need to register to vote in order to take part in local and national elections and referendums. 
You can register to vote if you are:

• Aged 16 or older (although you cannot vote in England until you are 18)
• A British, Irish, qualifying Commonwealth or European Union citizen. See a full list of qualifying countries

How do I register to vote?

1. Click the ‘Register to vote online’ button below to go to the GOV.UK website
2. Fill in your name, address, date of birth and National Insurance number. Visit where to find your National Insurance number (GOV.UK) for more information 
3. Fill in information about your previous address and any previous names
4. Check the information you have given is correct and submit it
5. Look out for a confirmation to say you're registered

Register online to vote (GOV.UK)

What happens now?

Before your details can be added to the register, they must be checked by the Department of Work & Pensions (DWP). This is a security measure to make sure the electoral register is protected from fraud.

Sometimes, we have to request further evidence of your identity to support this check. If we need to do this, we will contact you will a list of documents that we can accept.

Once your registration has been verified, your will receive a letter by email or by post to confirm when your name will be published on the electoral register. The date of your addition to the register will depend on when you completed your registration.

Why should you register to vote?

The right to vote is an important part of our democracy and you cannot vote if you are not registered. 

The electoral register is also used for credit checks, so not registering to vote may prevent you from being approved for credit, such as when you apply for a mortgage, mobile phone contract or a credit card.  

Frequently asked questions

Knowing if and how you should be registered to vote can be confusing, especially if you are a student, live in residential care or have no fixed address. 

You can find a list of frequently asked questions about registering to vote, or alternatively, you can contact Electoral Services using the details at the bottom of this page.

Last updated: 08/12/2022 12:40