Register to vote
Use this service to register to vote or change your details. It usually takes about 5 minutes.
This service is also available in Welsh (Cymraeg).
Deadline for registering to vote in the General Election
Register by 11:59pm on 26 November to vote in the General Election on 12 December.
If you want to apply to vote by post, register before:
- 5pm on 26 November if you live in England, Scotland or Wales
- 5pm on 21 November if you live in Northern Ireland
If you’re going to be abroad on election day, you can apply to vote by proxy after you’ve registered. It takes time to vote by post from overseas.
Who can register
You can register if you’re both:
- aged 16 or over (or 14 or over in Scotland)
- a UK citizen (or an Irish, EU or Commonwealth citizen with a permanent UK address)
You will not be able to vote until you are 18. If you live in Scotland, you can vote in Scottish Parliament and local elections when you’re 16.
Registering online
Register to get your name on the electoral register. You need to be on the electoral register to vote in elections and referendums.
You only need to register once – not for every election.
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. Contact your local Electoral Registration Office to find out if you’re already registered to vote.
Updating your registration
You can also use the ‘Register to vote’ 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).
Other ways to apply
There’s a different process to register anonymously, for example if you’re concerned about your safety.
Registering with a paper form
You can:
- register using a paper form in England, Wales and Scotland
- register using a paper form in Northern Ireland
If you live abroad
You can use this service to apply to register to vote (or to renew or update your registration) if you:
- are a British citizen
- left the UK within the last 15 years
- were previously registered at an address in England, Scotland or Wales (or, in some cases, you left the UK before your 18th birthday)
You’ll need your passport details if you’re a British citizen living abroad, and want to vote in England, Scotland or Wales.
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:
- Crown servants or British council employees
- members of the armed forces
Get help registering
You can get help registering from your local Electoral Registration Office.
There’s an easy read guide about registering to vote for people with a learning disability.
