In order to register to vote, you can either:
- register to vote online
- print, complete and return a 'paper form', available from GOV.UK
Find out more about registering to vote via The Electoral Commission.
You will need to show photo ID to vote in person in elections. If you don't have suitable photo ID, you can apply for a free Voter Authority Certificate.
If you need help applying for the Voter Authority Certificate, or to request an application form, contact Electoral Services.
Register to vote
Everyone is responsible for registering themselves and by law you must register to vote or you could be fined.
- You'll need your National Insurance number and date of birth - these are used to check your identity with the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP).
- Once we've checked your details, you'll either receive a letter from us requesting more information, or a letter to confirm that you're registered.
- Submitting an application doesn't automatically mean you'll be registered, as we need to make several checks beforehand.
- Strict statutory deadlines mean you can only be added to the register if we receive your application by the required deadline, and we have all the information needed to process it.
- You can only vote in Parliamentary (national) and City of York Council (local) elections once your name is on the 'register of electors'
- If you're not on the register of electors, you may find it harder to get a loan, mortgage, finance agreement or even a mobile telephone, as certain credit reference agencies use the register to confirm stability of residence.
Note: It can take up to 5 working days (from receiving your application) for your details to be registered. Once your details are verified by DWP you’ll receive a confirmation letter, however, you don't need this letter to vote.
Who can register to vote
You can only register to vote if you're:
- 16 or over
- a British, Irish, Commonwealth or European Union Member State citizen (a full list of all eligible countries provided)
- resident at a York address
Students can register to vote at both their home address and their term-time address.
Checking you're registered to vote
Contact our Customer Centre on telephone: 01904 551007 if you need to check whether you're registered to vote.
Also see
- Voting in person
- Voting by post
- Voting by proxy
- Elections Act 2022
- Keeping the electoral register up to date
- View or buy a copy of the Register of Electors.