How to register to vote

Before you can vote in local and national elections, you need to register.

Who can register

You must be aged 16 or over to register. You have to be 18 before you can vote.

You also have to be one of the following: 

• a British citizen or
• an Irish, qualifying Commonwealth or EU citizen living in the UK
• live in the UK

Register to vote online on GOV.UK

You'll need to apply at the address where you reside, and provide your date of birth and your national insurance number. If you're not sure what your National Insurance number is, you can find a lost National Insurance number online.

Apply online

If you want to vote in a specific election, you must register at least 12 working days before it.

Check which elections you’re eligible to vote in.

You can also register to vote if you:

• live overseas (information about overseas electors' rights)
  • British citizens living abroad can register to vote in the UK, no matter when they were last resident in the UK
  • your application will be in force for three years
  • overseas electors can apply to register at an address where they were previously registered OR if they were never registered, where they were last resident
  • British citizens living abroad can apply to register online
• do not have a fixed address
• work in the armed forces (or your husband, wife, or civil partner is in the armed forces)
• are a Crown Servant or British Council employee working overseas (or your husband, wife or civil partner is one)
• are a student
• need to register anonymously for your safety - for more information or an application form, contact us

Not sure if you are registered?

Contact us to check if you’re already registered. You’ll need to provide your name and full address.