Skip to content

Register to vote

To be allowed to vote, you must be on the electoral register.

Complete the online form below to register to vote. You can also update your name, address or other details on the electoral register.

You will need your National Insurance number and date of birth, and it will take around five minutes to apply.

To register to vote, you must be:

  • aged 16 or over (you will not be able to vote until you are 18)
  • be a British or Irish citizen, or a qualifying Commonwealth or EU citizen (qualifying means you have either leave to remain, retained rights or are a citizen of Denmark, Luxembourg, Poland, Portugal or Spain)
  • be resident in the local authority area or be a UK citizen living abroad.
Register to vote

Anonymous registration

You can apply to register anonymously if having your name and address on the electoral register could put your safety, or the safety of someone in your household, at risk.

If your application is approved, your name and address will not appear on the electoral register and your details will only be available to electoral services staff.

Register to vote anonymously

If you do not have a fixed address

You can register to vote by making a declaration of local connection if you do not have a permanent address.

This may apply if you:

  • are experiencing homelessness
  • are living in temporary accommodation
  • are a remand prisoner
  • are a long-stay patient in a hospital or similar institution

A declaration of local connection allows you to register at an address where you spend a significant amount of time.

Register to vote if no fixed address

When you need to re-register

If you move house or change your name you will need to re-register, even if you have moved within the same local authority area.

You can use the link above to make any changes and this will update the electoral register.

Alternatively, if you have changed your name, you can email a copy of your marriage certificate or deed poll along with your previous name, new name and your address details to vote@dover.gov.uk and we can update it for you.

Why add your name to the electoral register

If your name is not on the electoral register, you will not be able to vote in any elections or referendums held here. Registering to vote is a crucial step in taking part in democracy.

Keep Me Posted

Sign up for email updates on council services.

Keep Me Posted