Register to vote

How do I register to vote?

Each person must register to vote individually, providing their National Insurance number and date of birth. This will enable applications to be verified before they are added to the register.

You can register to vote any time of the year online at www.gov.uk/register-to-vote - it's free, quick and easy. You just need your National Insurance number. It's on pay slips, letters about benefits, tax returns, and other official correspondence. Find out what to do if you can't find your National Insurance number.

How long does it take?

It usually takes around a month from when you register to get onto the electoral registration. The 2023 deadlines are:

Friday 9 June 2023 to go onto the Electoral Register on Monday 3 July 2023
Monday 10 July 2023 to go onto the Electoral Register on Tuesday 1 August 2023
Thursday 10 August 2023 to go onto the Electoral Register on Friday 1 September 2023
Wednesday 22 November 2023 to go onto the Electoral Register on Friday 1 December 2023

Who can register to vote?

Anyone aged 16 or over but you cannot vote until you are 18
Those who normally live in your household but are away for the time being - for example on holiday, as students, or in hospital (including voluntary patients in psychiatric hospitals)
Anyone who is away working, unless they are away for more than six months
Any other residents, lodgers or guests (but not short-stay visitors) in your household, whether this is a private address, a hostel or a club
British citizens living abroad can be registered for up to 15 years after they last appeared on a register in the UK
Members of the Armed Forces, Crown Servants, etc. and their partners must register annually, but can do so as 'Service' etc., voters or as ordinary voters
British or Commonwealth Citizens
Citizens of the Republic of Ireland or other European Union (EU) countries

British citizens, Irish citizens and citizens of Commonwealth countries (including Cyprus and Malta) can vote at all elections.

Citizens of other EU countries can vote in local government elections but cannot vote in UK Parliamentary elections. If you are an EU citizen and want to vote in European Parliamentary elections, you must fill in a separate form, please contact us to ask for one.

Students

Students can register at their home address and their university address. It is an offence to vote more than once in a national election, but you can vote in local elections at both addresses.

Anonymous registration

Anonymous registration is available to people whose safety would be at risk if their name or address were listed on the electoral register. Other persons in the same household also qualify to register as anonymous electors and may also apply for anonymous registration if they wish.

For further information or to register please contact Electoral Services using the contact details below.

Homeless or have no fixed address

If you are homeless, rough sleeping or in temporary accommodation you can still register to vote. You can arrange to vote in a polling station close to where you are living or where you spend time during the day.