Running electoral registration - Scotland

An application for an Anonymous Elector’s Document must contain the following information:1

• the applicant’s full name
• the address at which the applicant is registered to vote, or has applied to be registered, or in the case of special category electors, their present/correspondence/BFPO number address (in each case the relevant delivery address)
• the applicant’s date of birth or, if they are not able to provide this, the reason why they are not able to do so and a statement as to whether the applicant is under the age of 18 
• the applicant’s National Insurance number (NINo) or, if they are not able to provide that information, the reason why they are not able to do so
• a statement as to whether the applicant considers it necessary to collect the Anonymous Elector’s Document in person instead of it being delivered to the relevant delivery address and, if so, the reason why the applicant considers that collection is necessary 
  • the relevant delivery address for ordinary electors is the address at which the applicant is registered to vote, or has applied to be registered to vote
  • the relevant delivery address for special category electors is their present, correspondence or BFPO address.2  
• an indication as to whether, if the Anonymous Elector’s Document application is granted, the applicant requires a Braille, easy read or large print explanation of the document issued
• a statement as to whether the applicant already has, or is applying to have, an anonymous entry on the register
• a declaration that the contents of the application are true (in practice, on paper, this involves a signature or at least a mark on the form that shows that they have made the declaration)
• the date of the application

An application must also contain a suitable photograph of the applicant or give a reason why they are not able to do so.3

You must consider the application incomplete if any of the above is not provided. You should follow up on the missing information with the applicant.

An application may also contain an applicant’s email address and telephone number, but this is not a requirement.4  

If an applicant is unable to provide a NINo they may provide with their application a copy of the acceptable documents for the exceptions process in the case of an application for an Anonymous Elector’s Document. If provided, these documents can be used to verify an applicant’s identity. This may be particularly useful close to the deadline for an election or petition to ensure that an application can be processed without delay.