Register to vote

How to register to vote

You need to register to vote so that you can vote in elections and referendums. 

To register to vote you need to be:

• at least 16 years old (but you can't vote until you're 18)
• a British, Irish or qualifying Commonwealth citizen

The easiest way to register is online:

Register to vote on GOV.UK website

If you cannot register online please contact us and we can send you a form by post to complete. 

You only need to register once. If you are not sure if you are registered you can contact us to check. The register of electors is a printed document and is not available online.

When you have registered to vote we will send you a letter to confirm your registration.

The open register

The law requires us to keep a version of the register which lists people who have not asked for their name to be removed. This version of the register is available to anyone who wants to buy a copy. If you would like to ask us to remove your details from the open register then please contact us by email or in writing.

The full register

Everyone's name and address appears on the full register of electors which can only be used for specific purposes:

• elections
• preventing and detecting crime
• checking applications for loans or credit
• jury summoning in England, Wales and Northern Ireland

Changing your name or moving house

If you have recently changed your name or have moved house you need to let us know so we can update your entry on the register of electors.

You can do this by completing a form and sending us an official document as proof, such as a marriage certificate or deed poll or solicitors letter. Please contact us for details of what you need to do.

You will also need to update your Council Tax records to make sure you are paying the right amount:

• Council Tax: Tell us about a change of address (moving house)
• Council Tax: Tell us about a change of circumstances - for all changes other than moving house

Anonymous registration

You can ask for your name to be registered anonymously if you feel that your safety, or the safety of someone in your household, would be at risk if your name appeared on the register of electors.

This means that your details would not be printed on the register but you would still be able to vote. You must have a qualified person who can sign your form if you wish to register anonymously.

To apply to vote anonymously please download and complete the form below:

• Application for anonymous registration - Electoral Commission forms - to hand write (489KB)

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