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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.

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.

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.

Steps to register anonymously

If you live overseas and would like to register to vote anonymously, you cannot apply online through GOV.uk and need to contact the relevant body to request this. 

You need to reapply to be registered anonymously every year, but only need to refresh your registration as an overseas voter every three years. 

Find out how to vote anonymously

How to vote anonymously

Registered to vote anonymously? Find out how to cast your vote if you are registered as an anonymous voter.

List of evidence

To support your application, you can submit: 

  • an injunction for the purpose of restraining a person from pursuing any conduct which amounts to harassment granted in proceedings under Section 3 of the Protection from Harassment Act 1997 or under article 5 of the Protection from Harassment (Northern Ireland) Order 1997
  • an injunction granted under Section 3A(2) of the Protection from Harassment Act 1997
  • a restraining order made under Section 5(1) of the Protection from Harassment Act 1997, or under article 7 of the Protection from Harassment (Northern Ireland) Order 1997
  • a restraining order on acquittal made under Section 5A(1) of the Protection from Harassment Act 1997,or under article 7A(1) of the Protection from Harassment (Northern Ireland) Order 1997
  • a non-harassment order, interdict or interim interdict made under Section 8 or 8A of the Protection from Harassment Act 1997
  • a non-harassment order made under Section 234A(2) of the Criminal Procedure (Scotland) Act 1995
  • a non-molestation order made under Section 42(2) of the Family Law Act 1996, or under article 20(2) of the Family Homes and Domestic Violence (Northern Ireland) Order 1998
  • a matrimonial interdict within the meaning of Section 14 of the Matrimonial Homes (Family Protection) (Scotland) Act 1981
  • a domestic interdict within the meaning of Section 18A of the Matrimonial Homes (Family Protection) (Scotland) Act 1981
  • a relevant interdict within the meaning of Section 113 of the Civil Partnership Act 2004
  • an interdict that has been determined to be a domestic abuse interdict within the meaning of Section 3 of the Domestic Abuse (Scotland) Act 2011
  • any interdict with an attached power of arrest made under Section 1 of the Protection from Abuse (Scotland) Act 2001
  • a forced marriage protection order or interim forced marriage protection order made under Part 4A of the Family Law Act 1996, or under Section 2 of, and paragraph 1 of Schedule 1 to, the Forced Marriage (Civil Protection) Act 2007, or under Section 1 or Section 5 of the Forced Marriage etc. (Protection and Jurisdiction) (Scotland) Act 2011
  • a domestic violence protection order made under section 28 of the Crime and Security Act 2010 or section 97 of, and paragraph 5 of Schedule 7 to, the Justice Act (Northern Ireland) 2015
  • a female genital mutilation protection order made under section 5A of, and paragraphs 1 or 18 of Schedule 2 to, the Female Genital Mutilation Act 2003

You can’t use any other court document.

The court document needs to be in force on the day you apply to register anonymously.
 

To support your application, you can ask for an attestation from:

  • a police officer of or above the rank of inspector of any police force in England and Wales
  • a police officer of or above the rank of inspector of the Police Service of Scotland
  • a police officer of or above the rank of inspector of the Police Service of Northern Ireland
  • the Director General of the Security Service
  • the Director General of the National Crime Agency
  • any director of adult social services in England within the meaning of section 6(A1) of the Local Authority Social Services Act 1970
  • any director of children’s services in England within the meaning of section 18 of the Children Act 2004
  • any director of social services in Wales within the meaning of section 6(1) of the Local Authority Social Services Act 1970
  • any chief social work officer in Scotland within the meaning of section 3 of the Social Work (Scotland) Act 1968
  • any director of social services of a Health and Social Services Board established under article 16 of the Health and Personal Social Services (Northern Ireland) Order 1972
  • any executive director of social work of a Health and Social Services Trust established under article 10 of the Health and Personal Social Services (Northern Ireland) Order 1991
  • any registered medical practitioner
  • any registered nurse or midwife
  • any person who manages a refuge

A “refuge” means accommodation with a planned programme of therapeutic and practical support for victims of, or those at risk of, domestic abuse or violence

You can’t get an attestation from anyone else, including a more junior person within an organisation.
 

Image of a sticky note with the words 'Bring photo ID to vote'

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.

Image of a sticky note with the words 'Bring photo ID to vote'

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.

Image of a sticky note with the words 'Bring photo ID to vote'

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.

Image of a sticky note with the words 'Bring photo ID to vote'

Voter ID

Overseas voters in the UK on polling day 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.

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.

Find your local council contact details

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.

Your photo must be:

  • of you facing forward and looking straight at the camera
  • a close up of your head and shoulders, without any other person visible, and without any head covering, unless you wear one for religious beliefs or medical reasons. Your face must not be covered for any reason.
  • of you with a plain facial expression and with your eyes open and clearly visible (for example without sunglasses and not obscured with hair). Please note this does not apply if you are unable to provide a photograph which complies with either or both of those requirements due to any disability.

If you are unable to meet the requirements due to a disability, then please speak with your local council. 

The photo must:

  • be a true likeness
  • be in colour
  • be taken against a plain, light background
  • be in sharp focus and clear
  • be free from ‘redeye’, shadows which obscure the face, or reflection
  • not be damaged

The photo must be:

  • at least 45 millimetres in height and 35 millimetres in width
  • no larger than 297 millimetres in height or 210 millimetres in width

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.

Your photo must be:

  • of you facing forward and looking straight at the camera
  • a close up of your head and shoulders, without any other person visible, and without any head covering, unless you wear one for religious beliefs or medical reasons. Your face must not be covered for any reason.
  • of you with a plain facial expression and with your eyes open and clearly visible (for example without sunglasses and not obscured with hair). Please note this does not apply if you are unable to provide a photograph which complies with either or both of those requirements due to any disability.

If you are unable to meet the requirements due to a disability, then please speak with your Electoral Registration Office. 

The photo must:

  • be a true likeness
  • be in colour
  • be taken against a plain, light background
  • be in sharp focus and clear
  • be free from ‘redeye’, shadows which obscure the face, or reflection
  • not be damaged

The photo must be:

  • at least 45 millimetres in height and 35 millimetres in width
  • no larger than 297 millimetres in height or 210 millimetres in width

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)

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