Register to vote anonymously
Overview
Your name and address will be on the electoral register if you register to vote.
If you think your name and address being on the electoral register could affect your safety, or the safety of someone in your household, you can register to vote anonymously.
This means you will still be able to vote, but your name and address will not be on the electoral register. Your electoral registration office will not disclose your details to anyone, unless they are legally required to.
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.
Steps to register anonymously
There are three steps to register to vote anonymously. You will need to:
- download and complete the application form
- explain why your safety, or the safety of someone in your household, would be at risk if your details were on the electoral register
- submit evidence to support your registration
You will need to return your application form, explanation and evidence to your local registration office.
Download the application form
Download the application form
Download the application form
Download the application form
To register to vote anonymously in Northern Ireland, you need to download a form from the Electoral Office for Northern Ireland.
Evidence to support your application
To support your application, you can submit:
- a court document that is for your protection, or the protection of someone in your household
- an attestation, where an authorised person to signs your application form to confirm your safety would be at risk
You only need to submit either a court document or an attestation. You do not need to submit both to support your application.
If you are reapplying for anonymous registration, you must send your court order or attestation documents. If the documents you use one year are still valid when you reapply, you can send them again. Depending on how long they are valid for, you can submit the same documents for up to 5 years.
List of evidence
Enter your postcode
Find contact details for your local electoral registration office to return your application
Voter ID
Voters in Wales now need to show photo ID to vote at polling stations in some elections.
If you are an anonymous voter and you wish to vote in person at one of these elections, you will need to apply for an Anonymous Elector's Document ahead of polling day.
Don’t have ID? Apply for free voter ID now.
Voter ID
Voters in Scotland now need to show photo ID to vote at polling places in some elections.
If you are an anonymous voter and you wish to vote in person at one of these elections, you will need to apply for an Anonymous Elector's Document ahead of polling day.
Don’t have ID? Apply for free voter ID now.
Voter ID
Voters in England now need to show photo ID to vote at polling stations in some elections.
If you are an anonymous voter and you wish to vote in person at one of these elections, you will need to apply for an Anonymous Elector's Document ahead of polling day.
Don’t have ID? Apply for free voter ID now.
Voter ID
Overseas voters now need to show photo ID to vote at polling stations.
If you are an anonymous voter and you wish to vote in person, you will need to apply for an Anonymous Elector's Document ahead of polling day.
Don’t have ID? Apply for free voter ID now.
Applying for an Anonymous Elector's Document
You should apply as soon as possible in case your local council need to check any details with you.
If you are already registered as an anonymous voter, or you register to vote anonymously, you will be invited to apply for an Anonymous Elector's Document by your local council.
Applying for an Anonymous Elector's Document
You should apply as soon as possible in case your council need to check any details with you.
If you are already registered as an anonymous voter, or you register to vote anonymously, you will be invited to apply for an Anonymous Elector's Document by your Electoral Registration Office.
Information you will need to provide as part of your application
When applying for an Anonymous Elector's Document, you will need to provide your
- name
- address
- date of birth
- National Insurance number
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. This could include a birth certificate, bank statement and utility bill.
If you don’t have any other accepted proof of identity, then you can ask someone who knows you to confirm your identity to your electoral services team. This is known as providing an attestation.
Your local council can provide more information on who can provide an attestation.
Information you will need to provide as part of your application
When applying for an Anonymous Elector's Document, you will need to provide your
- name
- address
- date of birth
- National Insurance number
If you don’t know your National Insurance number, or don’t have one, you can still apply.
Your Electoral Registration Office will contact you to request alternative proof of your identity. This could include a birth certificate, bank statement and utility bill.
If you don’t have any other accepted proof of identity, then you can ask someone who knows you to confirm your identity to your electoral services team. This is known as providing an attestation.
Your Electoral Registration Office can provide more information on who can provide an attestation.
Find your Electoral Registration Office council contact details
Providing a photograph
You will also need to submit a photograph with your application.
The requirements for the photograph are similar to the requirements for a passport photo.
Your local council can take your photo for you.
Providing a photograph
You will also need to submit a photograph with your application.
The requirements for the photograph are similar to the requirements for a passport photo.
Your Electoral Registration Office can take your photo for you.
What does an Anonymous Elector’s Document look like?
An Anonymous Elector’s Document has the words ‘Elector’s Document’ written on the top, and does not refer to your status as being registered to vote anonymously.
An Anonymous Elector’s Document includes:
- the date of issue
- your photograph
- your electoral number (which is the number which will appear on the electoral register instead of the voter’s name and address)
- an appropriate identifier (which is a combination of 20 letters and numbers generated by the software used by Electoral Registration Officers)
How to vote anonymously
Registered to vote anonymously? Find out how to cast your vote if you are registered as an anonymous voter.