Invitation to Register FAQs
Registration: answers to key questions
We send Invitation to Register forms (ITRs) to people who are not on the electoral register. We send out ITRs when a new person (or people) is included on a Household Enquiry Form (HEF).
- I have received an ITR, what do I need to do?
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Complete the Invitation to Register to join the electoral register. It's easiest to do this on the Government website www.gov.uk/register-to-vote. Or you can complete and return the paper form.
- Why have I received an ITR form?
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We send out an ITR when we are told there is someone eligible to vote living at an address but that person is not on the electoral register.
- I have received an ITR but I have recently completed a Household Enquiry Form (HEF). Why?
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The HEF is not a registration form - it is a way to gather information on who lives at a property. If you have added your details to an HEF but you are not already registered, we have to follow this up with an ITR. If you want to vote in elections, you must complete the ITR.
Everyone must be individually registered. It's easiest to do this on the Government website www.gov.uk/register-to-vote. Or you can complete and return the paper form.
- I don’t know my national insurance number. Can I supply different information?
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No. You must use your national insurance (NI) number to complete your registration. You can usually find your national insurance number on documents from the Department for Work & Pensions, HM Revenue & Customs or on payslips. If you do not know your NI number you can use the online Government enquiry service or call 0300 200 3502.
- Can I complete my Invitation to Register (ITR) online?
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Yes, registering online is the easiest way to respond to an ITR. You do not need to complete and return the paper form when you register via the Government website www.gov.uk/register-to-vote.
- I have completed my registration online. Do I still need to return the ITR?
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No, you do not need to complete and return your ITR if you have registered online.
- I have recently registered online and have received an Invitation to Register (ITR). Why?
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If you have completed an application to register to vote online you will not need to complete and return the paper ITR. It may have been sent out before we received your online application.
- Can I register online or complete the paper application for another person?
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You can help someone to complete the form but the declaration section must be completed by the person applying to join the register.
- I am having problems completing my application online. Who can I contact for help?
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Contact our Electoral Services Team on 020 7361 3444. Or staff at the Customer Services Centre at Kensington Town Hall can help you. We can also send out a paper ITR which you can complete and return in the post.
- I have completed and returned an ITR. How will I know if it has been successful?
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We will contact you to let you know your application has been successful. If we need more information to complete your registration we will contact you. Sometimes we need to ask for further information to confirm your identity.
- Can I add another person to my paper ITR?
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No, everyone must be individually registered. It's easiest to do this on the Government website at www.gov.uk/register-to-vote. Or you can complete and return the paper form.
- I am not sure if I am eligible to register to vote.
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You can register to vote if you are:
- 16 or over (but you cannot vote until you are 18)
- a UK, Republic of Ireland or qualifying Commonwealth citizen
- a citizen of a European Union country living in the UK
- a citizen of the Channel Islands, the Isle of Man or a British Overseas Territory living in the UK
Students are allowed to register at both their home address and their university address, but can only vote once in an election.
- How soon will my name be registered?