Running electoral registration - England

If you decide that additional evidence is needed for you to be satisfied that an overseas applicant was previously registered or resident in respect of the relevant address given in their application, you may request the applicant provides a document which meets the evidential requirements.1 The evidential requirements are that the document must show the full current or previous name of the applicant2 and the relevant address.3  

You may choose to accept any document that meets the evidential requirements if you are satisfied that it demonstrates that the applicant was previously registered or resident. Where the document provided is a copy (or original, if requested) of any of the documents listed here, and meets the evidential requirements, you must accept them.4 These documents are:

• a driving licence granted in the UK (including an expired licence)
• an instrument of a court appointment, such as a grant of probate or letters of administration
• a letter from the Office of the Public Guardian confirming the registration of a lasting power of attorney
• a letter from His Majesty’s Revenue and Customs
• a council tax demand letter or statement
• a rent book issued by a local authority
• a statement of benefits or entitlement to benefits, such as a statement of child benefit, within the meaning of section 141 of the Social Security Contributions and Benefits Act 1992, or a letter confirming that the applicant is entitled to housing benefit, within the meaning of section 130 of that Act
• a letter from the DWP confirming the applicant’s entitlement to a state pension
• a letter from a school, college, university or other educational institution which confirms the attendance of, or the offer of a place for, the applicant at that institution
• a letter from the Student Loans Company
• an official copy of the land register entry for the relevant address or other proof of title for the relevant address
• a solicitor’s letter confirming the purchase of, or confirmation of the land registry registration of, the relevant address
• a Form P45, Form P60, reference or payslip issued to the applicant by their employer or former employer
• a bank or building society passbook or statement, or a letter from a bank or building society confirming that the applicant has opened an account with that bank or building society
• a credit card statement
• a utility or mobile telephone bill
• a letter from an insurance provider

There are some categories of applicants who can provide alternative documents that meet the evidential requirement. These are:

• applicants who were previously registered or resident (or could have been) through a declaration of local connection
• applicants who were previously registered as a service voter or merchant seaman
• applicants who were previously registered as the spouse or civil partner of a service voter
• applicants who were previously registered as an overseas elector and, prior to leaving the UK, were registered through a declaration of local connection, as a service voter or as a merchant seaman

Applicants who left the UK before turning 18 are required to provide different evidence to demonstrate that they qualify to register as an overseas elector. For more information see our guidance on using information or documentary evidence to check qualifying condition of applicants who left the UK before turning 18.