Electoral Roll Address Change When You Move

Electoral roll address change when you move

When you move house you register to vote again at your new address. It is free, takes about five minutes at gov.uk/register-to-vote, and you will need your National Insurance number if you have one. Do it promptly: lenders use the full electoral register to check the name and address on credit applications.

Written by the Sal Removals team, Kingsbury NW9
Last checked 22 September 2026

Do you need to update the electoral roll when you move?

Yes. You normally only register to vote once, but gov.uk is clear that you need to register again if you change your address. There is no separate change of address form: you simply register at the new address with your new details (gov.uk, register to vote).

It matters for two reasons. You can only vote where you are registered, and lenders use the electoral register to check who lives where. If you are applying for a mortgage, a credit card or a phone contract soon after moving, registering at the new address is one of the first things to do.

It sits with council tax, the DVLA and your post on our moving house checklist.

How to register at your new address

Go to gov.uk/register-to-vote.
Have your National Insurance number ready. You can still register without one, but you will be asked for it.
Enter your details and your new address. It usually takes about five minutes.
Choose whether to appear on the open register (see below).

If you prefer paper, you can print the form from gov.uk and send it to your local electoral registration office. To check whether you are already registered, contact that office through gov.uk/contact-electoral-registration-office.

In England you must be 16 or over to register. British, Irish and qualifying Commonwealth citizens can register, as can citizens of some EU countries with the right status. The full eligibility rules are on the gov.uk page.

Council tax does not register you to vote

Telling the council about your move for council tax and registering to vote are two separate things, even though the same council runs both. Registering for one does not put you on the other. Our guide to council tax when you move house covers that side.

The electoral roll and your credit file

The electoral register comes in two versions, and the full version is the one that matters for credit. Under gov.uk rules, the full register can only be used for:

running elections and referendums
election campaigning
preventing and detecting crime
checking applications for loans or credit
summoning juries in England, Wales and Northern Ireland

The Information Commissioner’s Office explains that credit reference agencies are allowed to buy the full register so lenders can check the names and addresses of people applying for credit and carry out identity checks (ICO, electoral register). Everyone registered is on the full register, and you cannot opt out of it.

The registers are updated monthly, so your new address reaches the full register in the next monthly update after you register. The annual canvass runs from July, and during that period updates can take longer to reach third parties.

The open register: should you opt out?

The open register (called the edited register in Northern Ireland) holds the same names and addresses but is not used for elections. It can be sold to any person, company or organisation, and the ICO names direct marketing firms and online directories among its users.

You are included in the open register by default unless you ask to be left out. You can tick the box when you register at your new address, or opt out later through the register to vote service or your electoral registration office. Opting out does not affect your right to vote or your entry on the full register (gov.uk, the electoral register and the open register).

If having your name and address on any register would put you or someone you live with at risk, you can apply to register anonymously instead.

What happens if you do not register?

If an electoral registration officer asks you to register and you meet the conditions, you must. Failing to do so can bring a fine of up to £1,000, unless you have a valid reason such as a long stay in hospital. From July each year, electoral registration offices contact households in the annual canvass to check the register, by post, email, phone or at the door.

The rest of your change of address list

The electoral roll is one of four official changes that people miss. The others are your driving licence and log book, council tax, and a Royal Mail redirection to catch post while everyone catches up with your new address. Your passport does not need updating, as our page on passport address change when you move explains.

If the move itself is still ahead of you, our house removals across North London handle the packing, the heavy lifting and the van.

Call 020 3475 0377 or get a free quote.

Frequently asked questions

Do I need to re-register to vote when I move house?

Yes. You normally register once, but gov.uk says you must register again if you change your address, name or nationality. Council tax and the electoral roll are separate, so registering for council tax at your new home does not put you on the electoral register.

How do I change my address on the electoral roll?

Use the register to vote service at gov.uk/register-to-vote. It usually takes about five minutes, and asks for your National Insurance number, though you can still register without one. You can also print a paper form and send it to your local electoral registration office.

Does being on the electoral roll affect my credit score?

It affects the checks lenders run. The full electoral register can be used to check applications for loans and credit, and credit reference agencies are allowed to buy it so lenders can confirm your name and address. Registering at your new address helps those checks match.

What is the difference between the full and the open register?

The full register lists everyone registered to vote and can only be used for elections, crime prevention, jury summons and credit checks. The open register holds the same details but can be sold to anyone, including marketing firms. You can opt out of the open register but not the full one.

How long does it take for my new address to show on the register?

The ICO says the full and open registers are updated monthly, so your new details appear in the next monthly update after you register. During the annual canvass, which starts in July, updates can take longer to be passed on to third parties such as credit reference agencies.

Can I be fined for not registering to vote?

You can be fined up to £1,000 if an electoral registration officer asks you to register and you do not, unless you have a valid reason such as a long hospital stay. Registering when you move avoids the question entirely.