Running electoral registration - England

How long are service declarations for Crown servants and British Council employees valid for?

A service declaration for Crown servants, British Council employees, or their spouse or civil partner is valid for 12 months.1 Registrations can be removed earlier in the following circumstances:2  

• cancellation by the elector 
• you determine the person is not entitled to be registered
• you determine the person was registered, or that their entry was altered, as a result of an application made by another person (i.e. not the individual whose details are provided on the application and who has declared that the information provided is true)
• if another entry is made in respect of the elector in any register of electors 

For guidance on removing an elector from the register, see our guidance on deletions.

A declaration received later than three months after it is dated must be rejected.3 The applicant should be informed and invited to submit a fresh declaration.

A service voter may cancel their declaration at any time.4 The cancellation of a service declaration will cancel any absent voting arrangement made in connection with that declaration even if the elector registers as an ordinary elector at the same qualifying address.