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Part of Vote in UK elections

Voting if you move or live abroad

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Renew your registration to vote from abroad

Use this service to renew your registration to vote from abroad as an overseas voter.

You must renew every 3 years to keep voting in UK elections. You’ll get a reminder from your UK electoral registration office when it’s time to renew.

This service is also available in Welsh (Cymraeg).

Who can use this service

To use this service you must:

Renew your registration to vote online

You’ll need your 9 digit access code. You can find this in your reminder email or letter.

Renew online

If you cannot renew online

You can renew using a paper form if you cannot use the online service. The form is included with your reminder email or letter.

Fill in the form and send it to your electoral registration office by email or post. The address is on the form.

Contact your electoral registration office if you need a copy of the form.

If you need help

Contact your electoral registration office if you:

  • want to check when you’ll need to renew 
  • want to check if you’ve already registered
  • do not want to renew your registration because you’re returning to live in the UK permanently
  • have changed your name since you last registered or renewed
  • have lost the email or letter with your 9-digit access code
View a printable version of the whole guide

This page is Part of Vote in UK elections

  1. Step 1 Check if you can vote

    1. Check which elections you can vote in

  2. Step 2 Register to vote

    You’ll need to be registered to vote to take part in elections and referendums. You’ll need to register again if you change your name, address or nationality.

    1. Register to vote - apply online
    1. Register to vote - apply by post

  3. Step 3 Decide if you want to vote in person, by post, or by proxy

    1. Find out the different ways you can vote

  4. Step 4 Get ready to vote in person

    1. Check what ID you need to vote

    If you do not have photo ID that allows you to vote, you can apply for a Voter Authority Certificate (or an Electoral Identity Card in Northern Ireland) .

    1. Apply for a photo ID to vote

    Contact your electoral registration office to find your polling station or to find out what to do if you have accessibility needs.

    1. Contact your electoral registration office

  5. or Apply for a postal vote

    In England, Scotland or Wales:

    1. Apply in Northern Ireland - by post only
    1. Find out more about voting by post

  6. or Apply for a proxy vote

    In England, Scotland or Wales:

    1. Apply in Northern Ireland - by post only
    1. Find out more about voting by proxy - including when you must apply by

  7. or Get ready to vote as a proxy

    1. Check what ID you need to vote

    Contact the electoral registration office of the person you are a proxy for to find their polling station or to find out what to do if you have accessibility issues.

    1. Contact the electoral registration office

  8. Step 5 Vote in person

    1. Vote in person

  9. or Vote by post

    1. Vote by post

  10. or Vote as a proxy for someone else

    1. Vote as a proxy for someone else