How do I vote by post?

For people registered to vote in England, Scotland or Wales who want to vote by post.

Applies to: England, Scotland, Wales Last checked against official sources: 6 October 2026

Apply for a postal vote online or by post, for one election, a set period, or up to 3 years. Your application must reach your electoral registration office by 5pm, 11 working days before the election. You'll get a ballot pack to fill in and return.

Return it as quickly as possible.
In England and Wales, you can hand it in at your polling station by 10pm on election day, to a staff member.
If it's lost or damaged, ask your electoral registration office for a replacement.
For Scottish Parliament, Senedd and local elections in Scotland and Wales, you must use a paper form.
Northern Ireland has different rules.

Different in Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland

Rules may be different in:

Northern Ireland: Check nidirect for Northern Ireland

Key facts

Up to 3 years
Apply by 5pm, 11 working days before
Paper form for Holyrood, Senedd and local elections in Scotland and Wales

Key deadlines

Apply by 5pm, 11 working days before election day. If you miss this, you will need to vote another way at that election.
Changing your postal vote address or stopping your postal vote also has to be done by 5pm, 11 working days before election day.
Living abroad? Apply as early as you can. It can take a long time for your ballot pack to reach you and get back to the UK.

What you need to apply

the address where you are registered to vote
your National Insurance number, or other identity documents such as a passport
a photo of your handwritten signature, in black ink on plain white paper

You must be registered to vote first. If you cannot give a signature that stays the same each time, you can ask for a signature waiver.

How to apply

Make sure you are registered to vote.
Apply online on GOV.UK, or download the paper form and send it to your electoral registration office.
Choose how long you want a postal vote for: one election, a set period, or up to 3 years.
Wait for your ballot pack to arrive before the election.

In Scotland and Wales, you apply using a paper form for Scottish Parliament, Senedd Cymru (Welsh Parliament) and local council elections. For other elections, you can apply online.

Filling in your ballot pack

Mark your vote on the ballot paper in secret.
Fill in the postal voting statement. This is the form that checks it is really you.
Put the ballot paper and the statement in the envelope provided.
Seal the envelope yourself.
Post it back as soon as you can so it arrives in time to be counted.

If you are too late to post it

Where you live	Where you can hand it in
England and Wales	At your polling station by 10pm on election day, or at your electoral registration office before it closes
Scotland	To your council's returning officer before they close
Northern Ireland	Only the Electoral Office for Northern Ireland

In England and Wales, give it to a member of staff. Do not put it through the letterbox. You can also hand in up to 5 other people's postal votes as well as your own. If you are a political campaigner, the 5 other voters must be family members or people you regularly care for.

If your ballot paper is lost or damaged

In England, Scotland and Wales, ask your electoral registration office for a new one. You can collect a replacement up to 5pm on election day.

Northern Ireland is stricter. You cannot replace a lost ballot paper. If it is damaged, return it with the declaration form and ask for a new one by 5pm the day before election day.

Northern Ireland

Postal voting works differently in Northern Ireland. You apply through the Electoral Office for Northern Ireland, not through the GOV.UK online service.

Related guides

Where this comes from

Voting by post, GOV.UK
Apply for a postal vote, GOV.UK
Apply for a postal vote: forms and deadlines, GOV.UK

Get it done

This takes you to the official service, which is free to use.

Apply for a postal vote

Common questions

What do I need to apply for a postal vote?

You need the address where you are registered, your National Insurance number or another ID such as a passport, and a photo of your handwritten signature.

How long does a postal vote last?

You can apply for a single election, a set period, or up to 3 years.

Can I hand in someone else's postal vote?

Yes, you can hand in your own and up to 5 other people's postal votes.

What if my postal ballot is damaged or lost?

Ask your electoral registration office for a replacement, which you can collect up to 5pm on election day in England, Scotland and Wales.

Official sources

1.Voting by postwww.gov.uk/how-to-vote/postal-voting
2.Apply for a postal vote (forms and deadlines)www.gov.uk/government/publications/apply-for-a-postal-vote
3.Apply for a postal votewww.gov.uk/apply-postal-vote

Checked against GOV.UK on 6 October 2026

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