You can register as a service voter if you are:
- a member of the Armed Forces
- the spouse or civil partner of someone in the Armed Forces.
You can choose whether to register as a service voter or as a civilian (ordinary elector).
If you expect to be unable to vote in person at a polling station at election time, you should consider applying to vote by post or vote by proxy.
Please note: If you wish to vote by post from overseas, there may not be time for you to receive and return your ballot paper by polling day.
Registering as a service voter
If you’re based overseas, or expect to be posted abroad in the next year, you can register as a service voter.
Your registration as a service voter will be valid for 5 years from the time your entry onto the register takes effect. You must renew your registration every 5 years.
More information is available from the Electoral Commission website.
Registering as a civilian voter
If you choose to register as a civilian, the normal registration rules will apply to you.
If you’re based in the UK and are unlikely to change address or be posted overseas in the next year, you can register as an ordinary voter.
To register to vote as a civilian in England, Scotland or Wales please use the link below:
If you prefer to register to vote by completing a paper form, please contact us via our contact details on this page. We will then send you a form.
More information is available from the Electoral Commission website.