Overseas Electors

From the 16th January 2024, British citizens which includes eligible Irish citizens and citizens of the Crown Dependencies (The Channel islands and the Isle of Man) can register as overseas electors if they are currently living abroad and one of the following conditions applies:-

• Previously Registered Condition - Are currently or were previously registered to vote within the UK constituency either as a domestic elector before they left the UK or since they left the UK as an overseas elector
• Previously Resident Condition - Were previously resident in the UK constituency (including those who left the UK before they were old enough to register to vote)

Overseas voters can vote in UK Parliament elections and some referendums. Each referendum has different rules on who can vote in it.

Renewal of overseas declarations

Overseas elector declarations last for 3 years. An electors declaration will expire on the third 1 November following the date entry on the register first takes effect, provided the other conditions for registration remain satisfied. 

Reminders will be sent to every overseas elector of the need to make a fresh declaration if they wish to remain registered. The reminder will be sent approximately 3 months before the registration is due to expire and will include a declaration for the overseas elector to complete.

The renewal window is open for 6 months, from 2 May to 1 November. 

An elector must renew their declaration using the renewal service on the gov.uk website or by completing the form included with the renewal reminder. If using the online service an elector will need the 9 digit access code. This can be found find in the reminder email or letter.

Where a declaration is not renewed within the renewal period and the person is removed from the register, they will also lose any absent voting arrangement they had in place.

You can vote by post or proxy (where someone you trust votes on your behalf). You will be asked to make this choice when you register or if you are already registered as an overseas elector and do not currently have an absent vote in place please apply now by using the buttons below.

If you would like to know if you are registered please us our online register check form.

If you need any further information please email our electoral registration department.