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Electoral register

Two versions of the register

The full register

This version of the register shows the names and addresses of everyone registered to vote and is updated every month. Anyone can look at it, but copies can only be supplied for certain purposes, such as elections and law enforcement. Credit reference agencies are also allowed to buy the full register but can only use it to check your name and address if you are applying for credit, and to help stop "money laundering". Anyone who has a copy of the full register will be committing a criminal offence if they unlawfully pass on information from it. You do not have a choice about your name and address being on this register.

The edited register

This version of the register will be available for general sale and can be used for any purpose. You can choose not to be on it. It will be kept separate from the full register and updated every month. The edited register can be bought by any person, company or organisation and could be used for different purposes such as checking your identity and commercial activities such as marketing.

The choice you have to make

If you choose not to be included on the edited register, your name and address will only appear on the full register, which will only be used for certain lawful purposes, such as elections, law enforcement and checking applications for credit.

If you choose to be included on the edited register your name and address will appear on both the full register and the edited register, which anyone can buy. This means your details can be used for any purpose.

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