Register and how to vote

This will apply to: Local elections, Police and Crime Commissioner elections, UK Parliamentary by-elections and Recall petitions. 
From October 2023 it will also apply to UK General elections.

Acceptable forms of ID

You may already have an accepted form of photo ID such as a passport or a driving licence. These do not need to be in date but the photo must still be a good likeness of you.

A list of the accepted forms of photo ID can be found on the Electoral Commission (opens new window) website.

If you do not have ID

If you do not already have an accepted form of photo ID you can apply for a Voter Authority Certificate (VAC).

You can apply online https://www.gov.uk/apply-for-photo-id-voter-authority-certificate (opens new window) or download the application form (opens new window) and post it to us using the contact details at the end of this page. 

If you would like us to post you an application call us on 0300 456 0112.

My photo ID doesn't look like me anymore

If your photo ID no longer looks like you can apply for a Voter Authority Certificate (opens new window).

I vote by post

If you have a postal vote in place you do not need Voter ID.

I vote by proxy

If your proxy votes on your behalf at the polling station they will be asked to show their photo ID. Your proxy will not be asked to show any ID in your name.

If you wish to cancel your postal vote please email voting@wiltshire.gov.uk (opens new window) with your full name and address or contact the Electoral Services team using the contact details at the end of this page.

Deadlines apply during an election cycle. Keep an eye on our Upcoming elections and referendums page to see if you are affected.

Voters in England must show photo ID to vote at polling stations in some elections.

This will apply to:

• Local elections
• Police and Crime Commissioner elections
• UK parliamentary by-elections
• Recall petitions 

From October 2023 it will also apply to UK General elections.

A list of the photo ID voters can provide at the polling station can be found at The Electoral Commission: Accepted forms of photo ID (opens new window).

If you do not already have an accepted form of ID you can apply for a voter ID certificate by visiting GOV.UK: Apply for photo ID to vote (called a ‘Voter Authority Certificate’) (opens new window).

Rolling registration means you can register at any time of the year. The dates below show when your details will appear on the electoral register, subject to successful verification under the Individual Electoral Registration (IER) process. If you wish to register for a local election in your area, you can register up to 12 days before the poll.

We send monthly updates to credit reference agencies on the first working day of every month. Credit reference agencies will then need to update their records. Use the table in the drop down above to see when your details will appear on the register.

If we cannot verify your application after you have provided your National Insurance number and date of birth, we will write to you requesting further information.

To verify who you are, you will be required to provide evidence of your identity such as a driving licence or passport. Please do not have to send us original documents, photocopies are acceptable. You can also take a photo of your driving licence or passport on a smart phone and email it to us at electreg@wiltshire.gov.uk (opens new window). Once we receive the evidence we can then process your application.

It may be that if you registered yourself online, you made a typo. You could try registering yourself again using the Governments website.

The electoral register lists the names and addresses of everyone who is registered to vote in public elections. The register is used for making sure only eligible people can vote. It is also used for other limited purposes specified in law, such as detecting crime (e.g. fraud), calling people for jury service and checking credit applications.

It is a criminal offence for anyone to supply or use the register for anything else.

The current register was published on 1 December 2022 and is available for inspection under supervision at our three main council offices:

• Trowbridge - County Hall, Trowbridge, BA14 8JN
• Salisbury - The Council Offices, Bourne Hill, Salisbury, SP1 3UZ
• Chippenham - The Council Offices, Monkton Park, SN15 1ER

The open register is an extract of the electoral register but it is not used for elections. It can be bought by any person, company or organisation. For example, it is used by businesses and charities to confirm name and address details.

You can find more information about both registers and how they may be used (opens new window) on the GOV.UK website.

Your name and address will be included in the open register unless you ask for them to be removed. You can remove your details at any time by contacting us. Please provide your name and address and state that you wish to be removed from the open register.

Email us at openregister@wiltshire.gov.uk (opens new window) including your full name and address or write to us using the contact details below.

If you would like to buy the open register or any part of it email registerrequests@wiltshire.gov.uk (opens new window). The charges for purchasing the open register are set down in law and available upon request for the area you wish to purchase.