Register to vote

Why you should be on the electoral register

Registering to vote means you can vote and have your say in local and national (general) elections.

Who can register to vote

You can register to vote if you are resident (usually live) in England and aged 16 or over (but you will not be able to vote until you are 18).

You must also be one of the following:

• British citizen
• Irish citizen
• Commonwealth citizen (including Maltese and Cypriot) who has permission to enter or stay in the UK, Channel Islands or Isle of Man, or who does not need permission
• European Union (EU) citizen of Denmark, Luxembourg, Poland, Portugal, or Spain who has permission to enter or stay in the UK, Channel Islands or Isle of Man, or who does not need permission (you can vote in local council and Police and Crime Commissioner elections, and Mayor of London and London Assembly elections only)
• European Union (EU) citizen of any other EU country who on or before 31 December 2020 had permission to enter or stay in the UK, Channel Islands or Isle of Man, or who did not need permission, and this has continued without a break (you can vote in local council and Police and Crime Commissioner elections, and Mayor of London and London Assembly elections only).

Permission to enter or stay in the UK, Channel Islands or Isle of Man (also called Leave to Enter or Remain) refers to a legal immigration status.

The electoral register

The electoral register lists the names and addresses of everyone who is registered to vote. It is used for electoral purposes, such as making sure only eligible people can vote. It is also used for other limited purposes specified in law, such as:

• detecting crime (for example, fraud)
• calling people for jury service
• checking credit applications

The current Electoral Register is a publicly accessible document, which can be viewed at Gateshead Civic Centre or Gateshead Library. The library also hold archived registers dating back to 1832. 

The open register

The open register is an extract of the electoral register, but is not used for elections. For example, businesses and charities use it to confirm name and address details.

Any person company or organisation can buy it. You can request a copy by emailing or writing to us.

In your request, you must specify:

• which area of the open register you'd like to buy (this is sorted by electoral ward)
• whether you'd like it in paper or electronic format

We will then be back in touch with a cost and to process payment, before sending you a copy of the open register.

Your name and address will be included in the open register unless you ask us to remove them. Removing your details from the open register does not affect your right to vote.

Apply for removal from the open register

You can find more information about both registers and how they may be used at www.gov.uk/electoral-register (opens new window)