Register to vote: guidance for Londoners

Find out if you can register to vote as a Londoner, what information you need to register, and how to get help with registration, if you need it.

Eligibility to register to vote in London (UK)

Check if you can register and vote

To register to vote in elections in England, and thus London, you must be: 

  • 16 years old or over
  • A British, Irish, qualifying Commonwealth, qualifying EU citizens and EU citizens with retained voting rights
  • A resident in London
  • Registered to vote at your current address 

British citizens living overseas who have previously lived or been registered to vote in London are eligible to register and vote in UK Parliament elections using the last address that they were resident in London.

How to register to vote

You can register online. You'll need to provide: 

  • your National Insurance number
  • your date of birth
  • your address 

Don’t worry, if you do not have a National Insurance number: 

  • Leave this field blank when registering.
  • Provide your contact details.
  • Your local Electoral Registration Office will contact you to verify your identity another way.

You can register to vote at any time. However, it is best to register as soon as possible in advance of any upcoming elections. The exact date for the voter registration deadline in any particular election will be advertised in advance, but typically the deadline is around 12 working days before election day.

Register to vote now

Benefits of registering to vote

Registering to vote helps you:

  • have your say in decisions affecting your community, London and the country
  • confirm your identity when applying for things like a mortgage or phone contract
  • improve your credit score
  • be selected for jury service
Find out more about voting rights

Get help registering

You can get support to register in different ways.

Anonymous voter registration

Read about the electoral register and your privacy. Find out how your personal information appears on the electoral register, who can see it and how to control access to your details.

If you are worried about your safety, you can register to vote anonymously.

You can register to vote anonymously at any time. However, it is best to apply as soon as possible in advance of any upcoming elections. The exact date for the voter registration deadline in any particular election will be advertised in advance, but typically the deadline is around two weeks before election day. 

Anonymous registration only lasts for one year, so you must reapply each year. Your electoral registration office will contact you when it is time for you to reapply.

Also read more on GOV.UK about protecting your privacy when registering to vote. 

Apply to register to vote anonymously

Register without using the internet

You can print a register to vote form to complete offline. You’ll need to send it to your local Electoral Registration Office. 

You can also contact your local Electoral Registration Office to:

  • request a paper form
  • get help completing your registration form

You can get forms in other formats from your local Electoral Registration Office, including:

  • large print
  • Braille
  • audio
  • easy read
  • screen reader compatible

Register if you have no fixed or permanent address

You can still register to vote if you:

  • are experiencing homelessness
  • live in temporary accommodation
  • move between different addresses
  • live on a boat or in a mobile home

You can register using a 'Declaration of local connection' form using an address where you:

  • spend a lot of your time
  • can receive post
  • can be contacted by electoral registration staff

Find out how to register with no fixed address on GOV.UK.

Register if you are a student living away from your permanent home

Voting in more than one location is a criminal offence. 

You can register to vote at 2 addresses if:

  • they are in different council areas
  • you are a student
  • you have a term-time address
  • you have a permanent ‘home’ address

Registering to vote in 2 places can help you to be ready to vote on polling day. 

You can choose the address you want to vote from for:

  • UK parliamentary elections
  • London Assembly and Mayoral elections

Although you can register in 2 locations, you must only vote from one address.

Local council elections are different: you can vote in 2 different council areas when you are a student with a term-time and permanent address. 

You can also:

Help in other languages

Your local Electoral Registration Office can help with registration support including:

  • paper forms
  • alternative formats
  • checking your registration status
  • confirming what evidence of identity you need

Or find accessible information in community languages on this website.