Apply for a postal vote
Use this service to apply for a postal vote in:
- general elections and other UK Parliamentary elections
- local elections in England (including mayors)
- Police and Crime Commissioner elections in England and Wales
- referendums
- MP recall petitions
You must be registered to vote in the UK before you can apply.
You can no longer apply for a postal vote for the 2 May 2024 elections. You can still apply for a postal vote for use in future elections and referendums.
If you’re registered to vote anonymously, apply for your postal vote through your local Electoral Registration Office.
There’s a different way to apply:
- in Northern Ireland
- for the Senedd Cymru (Welsh Parliament), Scottish Parliament and local elections in Scotland and Wales using a paper form
This service is also available in Welsh (Cymraeg).
Before you start
You’ll need:
- the address where you are registered to vote
- your National Insurance number or other identity documents, for example a passport
- the specific date of the election or referendum you want to make a postal vote, if you only want a one-off postal vote
You’ll also need to upload a photo of your handwritten signature in black ink on plain white paper.
If you cannot provide a signature or one that always looks the same, you may be able to apply for a postal vote signature waiver within the service.
You might be asked for extra documents to identify you.
Other ways to apply
If you cannot apply online, download and fill in a postal vote application form. Send it to your local Electoral Registration Office.
Contact your local Electoral Registration Office who can post you a paper form.
If you cannot sign a printed form, contact your local Electoral Registration Office.
Get help applying
There’s an easy read guide about applying for a postal vote online.