Running electoral registration - Wales

What must be included in an application for anonymous registration?

Applicants for anonymous registration must include the following as part of their application for registration:1  

• the applicant’s full name
• the address where the applicant is resident on the date of the application and in respect of which they are applying to be registered 
• where an anonymous application is made by a person under 18 years old for the purposes of registering in the local government register, the address given where the applicant is resident on the date of the application and in respect of which they are applying to be registered, must be an address in Wales
• any address where the applicant has ceased to reside in the 12 months prior to the date of the application and, where that address is not in the UK, an indication of whether that person was registered as an overseas elector during this period
• an indication of whether the applicant is resident at any other address, including any address where the applicant is currently registered and claims to be entitled to remain registered
• the applicant’s date of birth or, if unable to provide this information, the reason why they are unable to do so and a statement as to whether the applicant is under the age of 16, age 16 or 17 or aged 18 or older2 or aged 76 or over  
• the applicant’s National Insurance number or, if they are not able to provide this , the reason they are not able to do so. This does not apply where the applicant is under 16 years old
• the applicant’s nationality or nationalities or, if they are not able to provide this information, the reason they are not able to do so
• a declaration that the contents of the application are true
• the date of the application
• the fact that the application is accompanied by an application for anonymous registration

An application for anonymous registration must be in writing. It must be signed and dated by the applicant and must contain:3  

• the applicant’s full name and address
• the reason for their application
• evidence to support their application (a court document or an attestation as described below)
• if the applicant is someone who lives in the same household as someone whose safety would be at risk, evidence that the applicant lives in the same household as that person. Evidence could be a utility bill, bank statement, photocard driving licence, etc.
• if the applicant is someone who lives in the same household as someone whose safety would be at risk, evidence that that person’s safety would be at risk
• a declaration that: 
  • the evidence to support their application is genuine so far as the applicant is aware
  • if it is someone who lives in the same household, the person to whom the evidence relates lives in the same household and that, as far as they are aware, the evidence is genuine   
  • the other information given is true 

The application form must also provide space for their most recent previous name (if they have one)4 and an explanation that providing this information is not mandatory but may help in verifying their identity and that if it is not provided, additional personal information may be required.

Applicants must be able to satisfy you that their safety or that of any other person in the same household would be at risk if their details were made public.5 Documentary evidence or an attestation must be provided in support of the application.6  

You should not involve yourself in the personal circumstances of applicants and your decisions should only rely on the accompanying documents. You should be satisfied that documents provided in support of an application are genuine.

Anonymously registered electors are entitled to submit a correspondence address which must be used for future registration correspondence if given.7