Check if I am eligible to register

Further new legislation which extended the voting franchise in Scotland was introduced in June 2020.  This now means that you can register to vote if you are resident and are aged 14 years and over and are:

• a UK or Irish Citizen
• an EU citizen living in the UK
• a qualifying Commonwealth citizen (includes citizens of British Crown Dependencies and British Overseas territories)  who has leave to enter or remain in the UK, or who does not require such leave
• a qualifying Commonwealth citizen (includes citizens of British Crown Dependencies and British Overseas territories)  who has leave to enter or remain in the UK, or who does not require such leave

Please note that it is an offence to knowingly provide false information on an application to register to vote, and if convicted you could be imprisoned for up to six months and/or face a fine of up to £5000.

Overseas Electors

If you are a British citizen living overseas you can vote in UK Parliamentary and European Parliamentary elections only.

To qualify as an overseas elector you had to be registered to vote in the UK within the previous 15 years (or, in some cases, if you were too young to have registered when you left the UK).

You can apply to register online at www.gov.uk/register-to-vote. You will need to provide the address you were last registered to vote in the UK when completing your application.

Armed Forces, British Council Employee and Crown Servants

If you are a member of armed forces, British Council Employee, Crown Servant or their spouse or civil partner you are eligible to vote in all elections.

There are separate registration services for public servants posted overseas. Please choose the relevant link to apply online at www.gov.uk/register-to-vote.

If you are resident outside the UK and are applying for a postal vote prior to an election, it is important to check the key election dates on our election page. This will provide the issue dates for postal ballot packs. Please check to ensure you will be able to receive and return your application on time.