Registering to vote

How do I register to vote?

You can download and print the application form Registering to Vote [PDF] (file size 36Kb) or contact Electoral Services to obtain a paper copy. You can also apply for a postal vote.

Who can register?

You can register to vote if you live in the borough, are 16 or over and are of British, Irish, E.U. or Commonwealth nationality. See a full list of qualifying countries here.

Residence

You must live at the address when you apply to register, you cannot register before moving to an address. If you mainly live abroad please contact the helpline on 020 7361 3444.

Age

Only those aged 18 or over can actually vote but you can register if you are 16 or 17.

Nationality

Nationality is regarded as passport/s held (or the right to hold a passport). For nationalities other than those listed above please note that indefinite leave to remain does not alter nationality.

Service Voters

Members of the armed forces, and their partners, may register as service voters using the Service Voters form, or they can now register as ordinary electors. If you register as a Service Voter you will only have to re-register every five years, and the Electoral Services Office will write to remind you when re-registration is required. Alternatively, download the Armed Forces form

Crown servants

Crown servants working abroad, and their partners, may register by completing the Crown Servants application form.

Overseas electors

British Citizens living abroad may register by completing the Overseas Electors application form. They can remain registered for up to 15 years after they last appeared on the register of electors in the United Kingdom. Citizens of the European Union Member States may vote at local and European elections.

Anonymous registration

Certain people can now apply to be entered anonymously on the register of electors. Although the register of electors is in alphabetical street order and not name order, there are some people who feel that being on the register of electors could affect their safety (such as people escaping from domestic violence, or those whose occupation requires them to keep their identity private). If you feel that having your name appear on the register of electors may put you at risk, you can apply to be entered anonymously. If your application is accepted, your name and address will not be shown. Any person living with you can also apply to vote in this way.

You will need to complete a form giving the reason you are applying for anonymous registration. You are required, by law, to provide documentary evidence in the form of a court order or injunction. If you do not have either of these, your application must be supported by one of the following people:

• a Police Officer of, or above the rank of, Superintendent
• the Director General of the Security Services or the Serious Organised Crime Agency; or
• a Director of Adult Social Services/Children Services

The qualifying officer does not have to be based in the same area as you, but the supporting documentation cannot be signed by a more junior person within their organisation.

To apply to register anonymously please contact a member of the Electoral Services Office on 020 7361 3444.

How soon will my name be added?

Names cannot be added to the register immediately as the law specifies when the register can be updated. Please note these rules change during the run up to an election, when you will be able to register up to eleven working days before polling day.

Each application form must be signed by each applicant personally. We cannot accept signatures from members of the family, carers or powers of attorney. Please note: Council Tax is not linked to voter registration in any way.

The deadlines for adding names to the register are as follows:

Form received by	Date to be added to register
Tuesday 11 December 2012	Wednesday 2 January 2013
Thursday 10 January 2013	Friday 1 February 2013
Thursday 7 February 2013	Friday 1 March 2013
Monday 11 March 2013	Tuesday 2 April 2013
Tuesday 9 April 2013	Wednesday 1 May 2013
Friday 10 May 2013	Monday 3 June 2013
Friday 7 June 2013	Monday 1 July 2013
Wednesday 10 July 2013	Thursday 1 August 2013
Friday 9 August 2013	Monday 2 September 2013

Annual canvass

The entire Register is revised once a year. Early each August a registration form is sent to each household in the borough. During this period names of electors can only be added to the register by residents completing this household registration form. This form is delivered to all properties by end of August. The revised register is then published in early December. If you did not register during the canvass you can do so by downloading the form above.

What is the Edited Register?

The Electoral Registration Officer makes and keeps two versions of the Register:

The Full Register

This version lists the names and addresses of all electors. Only certain people and organisations can have copies of the full register and they can only use it for certain specified purposes for example electoral purposes, credit reference, and the prevention and detection of crime. You can check your entry by phoning us.

The Edited Register

This version leaves out the name and address details of people who have asked not to be included.
The Edited Register can be bought by anyone for any purpose including Direct Mail Marketing. If you do not want your name and address details sold in this way please tick the box on the form.

Contact Electoral Services

If you have any further query please contact Electoral Services:

• Electoral Helpline 020 7361 3444
  Monday to Friday 8.30am to 5.30pm
  Saturday 9.30am to 5pm
  Sunday 1pm to 5pm
• email elect@rbkc.gov.uk