If you want to vote in an election or referendum, you must first register to vote. This is also called “being on the electoral register or roll” and has important implications on your credit score and ability to serve on a jury.

You must register to vote online – it takes less than five minutes.

You will be asked to provide your National Insurance number, your date of birth and your address. Don’t worry if you do not have them – leave your contact details during the registration process and Electoral Services in your borough council will get in touch and ask you to send additional documents. If you have any questions, you can contact your local Electoral Registration Office.

You only need to register once - you don’t need to register separately for every election. But you must register again if you change address, name or nationality.

If you're a student, you may be able to register to vote at both your home address and your term-time address. Find out more.

If you think your name and address being on the electoral register could affect your safety, or the safety or someone in your household, you can register to vote anonymously.

Find out about other options for registering to vote, and what to do if you don't have a fixed or permanent address.

There is always a deadline to register to vote – this is at least 12 working days before an election (or around 20 calendar days). If you don’t register before the deadline, you won’t be able to vote.

You must be 16 or over to register to vote in London*. You must also be one of the following:

• a British citizen
• an Irish or EU citizen** living in London
• a Commonwealth citizen who has permission to enter or stay in the UK, or who does not need permission.

The GLA has produced voter registration resources in over 20 community languages. You can find them on the GLA’s London Voter Registration Week hub at

• London Voter Registration Week (LVRW) resources
• London Voter Registration Week (LVRW) id resources

The GLA has also produced separate guidance on the democratic rights of Hong Kong Londoners.

*This guidance applies to democratic rights in England and, thus, in London. The devolved nations, such as Wales and Scotland, have separate arrangements.

** Due to the UK leaving the European Union, the voting rights of EU Londoners might change. Find the latest government guidance.

The elections you can vote in depend on your citizenship, your age and where you live in the UK.

If you are a Londoner who holds British, Irish or qualifying Commonwealth citizenship, you can vote in all elections that take place.

If you are a Londoner who holds EU citizenship (other than the Republic of Ireland, Malta and Cyprus), you can vote in the Mayor of London and London Assembly election and in the local government/ borough elections. You can’t vote in UK Parliamentary/ general elections.

In England, and thus in London, you can vote when you turn 18.

Besides being a voter, you can also stand in elections as a candidate. Find more info on the Electoral Commission website.

You can vote in person on election day – before the election, your borough electoral services will send you a poll card containing information about the date of the election and your designated polling station.

You can apply to vote by post because you’re away on holiday on election day or because your work schedule means you can't get to your polling station. Or you can choose to vote by post simply because it would be more convenient for you.

If you know that you won’t be able to get to the polling station on polling day, you can ask someone you trust to cast your vote for you. This is called voting by proxy.

You now need photographic identification (photo ID) to vote in person

Accepted photo ID to vote cannot be any form of ID. Londoners will need to possess and present one of these accepted forms of photo IDs recognised in law as the proof of identity required to be able to vote: 

• a United Kingdom passport 
• a passport issued by an European Economic Area (EEA) state or a Commonwealth country 
• a national identity card issued by an EEA state 
• a UK driving licence (with photo, paper licences will not be accepted) 
• a driving licence issued by the Channel Islands, the Isle of Man or an EEA state 
• a biometric immigration document  
• an identity card bearing the Proof of Age Standards Scheme hologram (a PASS card) 
• a Ministry of Defence Form 90 (Defence Identity Card) 
• Older Person’s Bus Pass, Disabled Person’s Bus Pass, Oyster 60+ Card, Freedom Pass 
• a Blue Badge 
• a free Voter Authority Certificate.

Please note that you need to take the original form of photo ID with you to the polling station. Photocopies of documents and photos on your phone will not be accepted.

People will be able to use expired photo ID if they are still recognisable from the photo. There is more information on the Electoral Commission’s website on all the accepted types of photo Voter ID. 

If they are not in this list, other photo IDs issued by third parties will not be accepted as proof of identity to be able to vote.

You will not need to show a photo ID in order to vote by post or by proxy. Your proxy will need to show their photo ID at the polling station when voting on your behalf. 

How can I apply for a free Voter Authority Certificate? 
If you do not have one of the accepted forms of photo ID to vote, you can apply for a free Voter Authority Certificate. You will need to provide a photograph, your date of birth and National Insurance number as part of the application. If you don’t know your National Insurance number, or don’t have one, you can still apply. Your council will contact you to request alternative proof of your identity. 

You can apply online. Or you can fill out a paper application form and send this to your local council. You can request the instructions in Large Print, Braille or Easy Read.

To get in touch with your local electoral services team, enter your postcode.

Where can I find out more?
For up to date, reliable information on voter registration, photo Voter ID, accessible resources and more, including in community languages, check out the GLA Democracy Hub. 

Being able to register and vote is not the only way Londoners can be heard and can make a difference in their local communities and London.

You can find other opportunities for taking part in civic life, including volunteering, sharing your opinions with London City Hall on Talk London, with the London Assembly or with your Member of Parliament and local councillor.

The GLA has also produced Media and Political Literacy resources that will help you better understand your rights, organise activity in your community and help you get heard in London.