FAQs about registering to vote

Everybody needs to register themselves. It's straightforward and quick and you can register online at www.gov.uk/register-to-vote.

If you are unable to register yourself, it's ok to get help filling in the details, but you must make the declaration yourself.   In certain circumstances, someone who has been granted appropriate power of attorney may be able to make the declaration on your behalf.  You will need to speak to the elections team to see whether this applies to you.

Once you're registered you don't need to register again unless you change address. You will receive a Canvass Communication every year which confirms who is living at your address so that the register is kept up to date. You should also inform us if any of your details (such as your name) change.

When you move home you need to register at your new address. You can do this at www.gov.uk/register-to-vote.

If we have invited you to register to vote it is important that you respond. If you don't, we will send you reminders through the post and someone will visit your home. At the end of this process we may send you a requirement to register; if you fail to do so without providing adequate reason why you have not, you may be fined £80. Not being registered can also impact on applications for mortgages or mobile phones, since credit reference agencies use the register to validate applications.

If your name has changed you can complete a change of name form.  You will also need to provide evidence to support the change of name, such as a marriage certificate or deed poll certificate. Alternatively you can submit a new application to be registered online at www.gov.uk/register-to-vote.

A National Insurance number is a reference number used by government. The easiest place to find your National Insurance number is on official paperwork, such as your National Insurance card, payslips or letters from the Department for Work and Pensions or HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC). Students may be able to find it in their university registration details or application for student loan. If you still can't find it, you can use the HMRC enquiry service at www.gov.uk/lost-national-insurance-number or call the helpline on 0300 200 3502.

Please be aware HMRC won't tell you your National Insurance number over the phone, they'll post it to you.

Most people in the UK have a National Insurance number. If you do not have one, you will be asked to explain why you are unable to provide it. Local electoral registration staff may contact you to ask you for proof of identity.

If you do not know your actual date of birth, you may have been given an official one in the past and this can be used to register to vote. This can be found on paperwork, including a passport, adoption certificate, driving licence or naturalisation certificate.

If you do not have one, you will need to explain why you are unable to provide it in your registration application. Local electoral registration staff may contact you to ask you for proof of identity.

If you have no fixed address you can still register to vote. You need to make something called a 'declaration of local connection' to show that you are connected to and spend time at a particular place.

Further details about registering for people who have no permanent address can be found here.

British citizens living abroad can vote in UK Parliamentary elections, but not in local elections and can register as Overseas Electors for upto 15 years since being last registered to vote in the UK.

British citizens living abroad for more than 15 years are not eligible to register to vote in UK elections. You can register as an overseas elector at www.gov.uk/register-to-vote using the address where you were last registered in the UK. More information about overseas voters can be viewed here.

Anonymous registration is available if your safety or that of any other person in the same household would be at risk if your name or address were made public. You must provide court documents or an attestation (e.g. from a senior police officer or director of social services) in support of the application. A separate application form must be completed in writing - you are not able to register anonymously online. Please download an application form from GOV.UK >>

A member of HM Forces and their spouse or civil partner can register as an ordinary elector or they have the option to register as a service voter. You can register as a service voter by visiting www.gov.uk/register-to-vote. A service declaration must be completed, which is valid for five years. Each unit of the services has designated one member of staff to be a Unit Registration Officer who will be able to provide further advice.

You can register to vote if you are: 16 years old or over and a British citizen or an Irish, qualifying Commonwealth or European Union citizen who is resident in the UK (except for service voters or overseas voters).

Seventeen-year-olds and some 16-year olds are entitled to be included on the register as 'attainers'. They can vote once they are 18.

To qualify, Commonwealth citizens must be resident in the UK and either have leave to enter or remain in the UK or not require such leave. The definition of a 'Commonwealth citizen' includes citizens of British Crown Dependencies and British Overseas Territories.

Citizens of the European Union (who are not Commonwealth citizens or citizens of the Republic of Ireland) can vote in local elections in the UK and some referendums (based on the rules for the particular referendum), but are not able to vote in UK Parliamentary general elections.