Register to vote

To vote in any election or referendum, your name must be on the electoral register.

If you're unsure whether you're registered, please contact Electoral Services.

Not being on the electoral register may cause delays when applying for a loan, mortgage, finance agreement, or mobile phone contract. Paying council tax does not automatically register you to vote.

Once registered, you do not need to re-register unless you move house or change your name.

Who is eligible to register to vote?

You must be 16 or over to register to vote (but you can only vote once you turn 18).

You can register if you are:

• A British or Irish citizen.
• A Commonwealth citizen with permission to enter or stay in the UK, Channel Islands, or Isle of Man (or if you do not require permission).
• A citizen of Denmark, Luxembourg, Poland, Portugal, or Spain.
• A citizen of another EU country, provided you have had permission to stay in the UK since 31 December 2020 (or did not require permission) and this status has remained unchanged.

For more details on eligibility, visit the Electoral Commission's website: Which elections you can vote in (Electoral Commission).

How to register to vote

You can register to vote online at www.gov.uk/register-to-vote. 

To complete your registration, you'll need to provide:

• Your date of birth
• Your National Insurance number (found on your National Insurance card, payslips, or official letters about benefits or tax credits)

If you don't have a National Insurance number, you'll be asked to provide alternative proof of identity.

Paper-based registration

If you're unable to register online, you can request a paper registration form by contacting Electoral Services.

How long it takes to be added to the electoral register

After you apply to register to vote, your details must be checked and verified. If we're unable to verify your information, we may contact you to request additional proof of identity.

Once your application has been confirmed as valid, you will be added to the electoral register according to the legally set dates in the table below. Please note that  this information cannot be published earlier than the specified dates.

We will send you a confirmation letter once your details have been added to the electoral register.

2024/2025 registration deadlines

When there's an election

If you submit a valid application to register to vote at least 12 working days before polling day, you will be eligible to vote in that election.