If you want to vote in the general election on 12 December but haven’t yet registered – bad news. It is too late.

However, you can still register online so you don’t miss out next time. And let’s face it, if the election results ends up being close, we could be having another one sooner than you think. Here’s how to get yourself registered for next time.

Who is eligible to vote in a general election?

To vote in a UK general election you must:

Be 18 or over on the day of the election.

Be a British, Irish or qualifying Commonwealth citizen.

Be resident in the UK (or a British citizen living abroad who has been registered to vote in the UK in the last 15 years).

Not be legally excluded from voting.

You also need to be on the electoral register. You only have to register once, but will need to re-register if you have changed your address, name or nationality since you first registered.

The forms can be completed online. You may need details of your national insurance number and your passport if you’re a British citizen living abroad, and want to vote in England, Scotland or Wales.

If you need help, you should contact your local Electoral Registration Office. You can use this service to find the address if you live in England, Scotland or Wales. If you live in Northern Ireland you need to contact the Electoral Office for Northern Ireland (EONI).

You don’t need a fixed address to vote. You can still register to vote if you are homeless or have no fixed address, are a person who has been remanded in custody but have not yet been convicted of any offence, or are a patient in a mental health hospital. There are additional forms to fill in – you can find the instructions here.

You can register to vote at a younger age in Scotland to participate in Scottish parliamentary and local elections at the age of 16, but you will not be able to vote in a general election.

I’m a student. Where do I register to vote?

If you are a student you can register to vote at both your home and term-time addresses, but remember that in a general election it is illegal to vote more than once. For tactical reasons, you might decide it is better to vote in one location or the other – for example, you might usually live in a marginal seat, and your university address might be in a safe seat, or vice-versa.

What do I do if I can’t vote in person in England, Scotland or Wales?

There are two ways to vote if you can’t be there to vote in person on the day of an election – with either a postal vote or a proxy vote. To apply for a postal or proxy vote you must already be registered to vote and on the electoral roll.

Voting by proxy

A proxy vote means someone can vote on your behalf. Anyone can act as your proxy provided they’re registered to vote and allowed to vote in the same type of election.

Usually, you need to apply for a proxy vote at least six working days before election day if you want to vote in England, Scotland or Wales. There are different forms to fill in depending on the reason you want the proxy vote, which can be:

You’ll be away.

You’ll be at work.

You’ll be attending a course.

You’re disabled.

You’re living overseas.

You’re serving overseas as a member of the armed forces.

You’re a British Council employee or Crown servant (for example diplomatic or overseas civil service).

Voting by post

Anyone registered to vote in an election can apply for a postal vote. You don’t need to give a reason. If you live in England, Scotland or Wales you need to fill in this form and then send it to your local Electoral Registration Office.

Voting by proxy or post in Northern Ireland

If you want to vote by post or by proxy in Northern Ireland, follow the instructions from the Electoral Office for Northern Ireland.

How can I be sure if I am registered to vote?

If you have any doubts that you are registered to vote, you should contact your local Electoral Registration Office. You can use this service to find the address if you live in England, Scotland or Wales. If you live in Northern Ireland you need to contact the Electoral Office for Northern Ireland (EONI).