5.1 Registering to Vote

To vote in the UK, you must be registered. In England, Northern Ireland, and Wales, you can register from the age of 16 (or 14 in Scotland and Wales) – although you can’t vote until you reach the minimum age for the election you’re taking part in.

Registration is done individually, not by household – and you must re-register if you move.
To register, you need:

• Your name, address, and date of birth
• Your nationality
• Your National Insurance number (if you have one)

If you don’t have your National Insurance number you are still able to apply. If you leave this section blank, your local Electoral Registration Office will contact you to verify your identity using alternative documents. 

You can register online at: gov.uk/register-to-vote. It usually takes less than 5 minutes.