ID Card
Registration
A PDF reader is required to view and print the documents on this page. Frequently Asked Questions
- What is the Electoral Register?
- Am I eligible to register?
- How do I check if I am listed on the Register?
- Do I have to register? I do not intend to vote.
- Does being on the Register affect my credit rating?
- How do I register?
- Is the registration form available in other languages?
- What documents do I need to send in with my form?
- Where can I obtain my National Insurance Number?
- I made a mistake on my form. Do I need to get a new one?
- I'm a student living away from home. Should I register and, if so, where should I register?
- My address/name has changed. How do I update my details on the Register?
- Where do I return my form to?
- Can I email/fax my form to you?
- When will I be added to the Register?
- I cannot complete the form due to a disability - can someone complete it for me?
- Is the registration form available in alternative formats for the visually or hearing impaired?
- Is any other assistance available for someone with a disability?
- From what countries can citizens apply to be included on the Register?
- How do I register as an Overseas Elector?
- I am serving with HM Forces/I work for the British Council abroad. How do I register?
The Electoral Register lists the names and addresses of every person in Northern Ireland who is eligible to vote.
The Register is updated every month and a new version is published on 1 December each year. Any person who is eligible can register at any time and many are contacted by the Electoral Office as a result of information obtained from government bodies (such as DVLNI, local councils and the Business Services Organisation) regarding changes of residence.
Further information about the Register can be found on the Electoral Register page.
Each person should register at the address where he or she is resident if they:
- Are a British, Irish or Commonwealth citizen, or a citizen of a Member State of the European Union.
- Are either over 17 or will turn 17 between now and 30 November 2011.
- Have been resident in Northern Ireland for the past three months.
To check if you are listed on the Register contact us on 0800 4320 712 or email info@eoni.org.uk with your name, address and date of birth.
If you have been contacted by us and asked to complete a registration form it is an offence to refuse to do so or to provide false information.
Yes, the Register is used by credit reference agencies such as Experian and Equifax to check applications for credit. If you are not registered you may find it difficult to obtain credit for this reason.
You need to complete a registration form to be added to the Register. The form can be downloaded from the Forms and Leaflets page of our website or contact us and we will post one out to you.
The registration form is available in a range of languages from the Translations page. We also have a Language Line service should you wish to speak to us in a language other than English.
When you apply to be added to the electoral register you may be asked to prove that you fulfil the criteria for registration. This is to ensure that the Register is accurate and also reduces the risk of both identity theft and electoral fraud.
A guidance document is attached to the registration form on the Forms and Leaflets page. This will help you decide if you need to send in documents with your registration application and what types of documents to send in. Any documents you send in must be originals - photocopies cannot be accepted. We will return your documents using the same method of postage used to send them to us. If you prefer not to send them to us by post you can bring them into any Area Office.
You can find it on the payslip you receive from your employer, benefit/pension details received from the Social Security Agency, your National Insurance Number card or your tax return/any correspondence from the Inland Revenue. If you still cannot find your national insurance number you should contact the National Insurance Registration Helpline on 0845 915 7006.
No, you can correct the mistake and initial the amendment. If you would prefer to use a new form, you can download one from the Forms and Leaflets page or contact us and we will post one out to you.
Yes, you should register, and you can do so either at your term time address or at your home address.
If you wish to apply for a postal or proxy vote for the duration of your course you can obtain the required form on the Postal and Proxy Voting page. The form should be returned to the Area Electoral Office which covers your home address in Northern Ireland. If you do not have a printer contact us and we will post the form out to you.
You will need to complete a registration form to update your details on the Register. Forms can be obtained from the Forms and Leaflets page of our website or contact us and we will post one out to you.
You should return your form to your local Area Electoral Office.
No, we require an original signature so cannot accept forms by email or fax.
The monthly deadlines for registering and the dates applicants will be added to the register are detailed below. These deadlines are prescribed in legislation.
| If you return your form (along with any documents required) by: | You will be added to the Register on: |
|---|---|
| 12 December 2011 | 3 January 2012 |
| 10 January 2012 | 1 February 2012 |
| 8 February 2012 | 1 March 2012 |
| 9 March 2012 | 2 April 2012 |
| 5 April 2012 | 1 May 2012 |
| 10 May 2012 | 1 June 2012 |
| 8 June 2012 | 2 July 2012 |
| 9 July 2012 | 1 August 2012 |
| 10 August 2012 | 3 September 2012 |
| 7 September 2012 | 1 October 2012 |
| 10 October 2012 | 1 November 2012 |
| 9 November 2012 | 3 December 2012 |
Yes, if you are unable to complete the form due to a disability someone can complete it on your behalf. They will need to complete the Witness section at the bottom of the form.
If you wish to apply for a permanent postal or proxy vote on the grounds of disability you can obtain the required form on the Postal and Proxy Voting page. The form should be returned to your local Area Electoral Office. If you do not have a printer contact us and we will post the form out to you.
The registration form is available in Braille, audio CD and large print upon request. Please contact us and we will send them out to you.
Yes, you can contact us by Textphone on 0800 3284 502 and we welcome calls via Typetalk. Our website is Browsealoud enabled. Also, a permanent member of EONI staff can, by appointment, visit your home to assist in the completion of your form. To request such a visit, please contact us.
British citizens living abroad can be registered in the same parliamentary constituency as they were registered prior to going abroad. In order to qualify as an Overseas Elector you must have been on the Northern Ireland Electoral Register at some point within the last 15 years or, if you were not old enough to vote, your parent or guardian must have been registered.
Overseas electors can vote in Westminster Parliamentary and European Parliamentary elections, but not Northern Ireland Assembly or Local Government elections. You will need to appoint someone (known as a "proxy") to vote on your behalf as postal votes cannot be sent outside the UK. Alternatively you can vote in person if you will be at home on polling day.
The form to register as an overseas elector is available on the Forms and Leaflets page. The completed form should be returned to the Area Electoral Office which covers the area where you lived previously.
Crown Servants, members of HM Forces and their spouses can download registration forms from the Forms and Leaflets page.
