Electoral Roll Change of Address | Update Online | SlothMove
Moved house? Here’s how to change your address on the electoral roll, plus how to update everything else in one go with SlothMove.
Table of Contents
How to update your address on the electoral roll
When you move home, your electoral roll entry does not update itself. Your old address stays on record until you tell your local Electoral Registration Office or update it yourself online. An out-of-date electoral roll address can affect your ability to vote, your credit score, and in some cases can result in a fine. This guide covers the quickest way to complete your electoral roll change of address, plus what happens if you live at two addresses, live abroad, or want to update everything else linked to your move at the same time.
Do I need to update my address on the electoral roll?
Yes. The address registered to you on the electoral roll is used by credit reference agencies as a key piece of identity data. Experian, Equifax and TransUnion all use it to check your stability and confirm you are who you say you are.
If your electoral roll address does not match the address you have given your bank, your insurer or a lender, this creates conflicting information on your credit file. It is not the act of moving that affects your credit score. It is leaving your address unchanged that causes the problem.
You could also be fined for not registering an accurate address, although in practice this is rarely enforced unless you have a clear reason for not updating your details, such as being unable to register due to illness or disability.
How to change your address on the electoral roll
There are two ways to complete your electoral roll change of address.
Update online in one go with SlothMove
SlothMove’s change of address service lets you update the electoral roll alongside the rest of your move (HMRC, NHS, your bank, energy suppliers and over 100 other organisations) in a single online form. The process takes three steps:
- Select the electoral roll, and any other services you need to update, from the list.
- Enter your previous address, your new address and the date you moved.
- Submit the form. SlothMove updates the electoral roll and every other service you selected automatically.
Update directly with your local Electoral Registration Office
If you would rather update your electoral roll address manually, you can use the government’s Register to Vote service. You will be asked for your National Insurance number, although you can still register without it. This route is also how you register to vote for the first time if you are not already on the roll.
How long does an electoral roll change of address take?
You will usually receive confirmation by email within two weeks of submitting your change of address. The registry office can take two to four weeks to fully process the update. If they need further information from you, they will contact you by phone or email.
Can I be registered at two addresses?
You can be registered at two addresses at the same time, but you can only vote at one of them. This commonly applies to university students who keep both a home address and a term time address. It is illegal to vote in the same election from both addresses.
If you are unsure which address to use, check with your local authority. The general guidance is to register at whichever address is more permanent.
How does your electoral roll address affect your credit score?
Each year, your local council sends an address data upload to the credit reference agencies. The electoral roll also runs an Annual Canvass to check who lives where and confirm that addresses are accurate. Because each credit reference agency holds its own file, there can be small discrepancies between them, and it can take a few months after your update for a new address to appear on your credit report.
When you register or update your details, you can also choose how visible your address data is:
- Not visible at all
- Visible at your most recent address
- Visible at your previous address
Choosing to be listed as present at your most recent address strengthens your reliability as a data source for lenders, though this setting is entirely optional.
Updating your address if you live abroad
You can still use the Register to Vote service to renew, register or update your details while living abroad, provided you are a British citizen, left the UK within the last 15 years, and were previously registered at an address in England, Scotland or Wales. You will need your passport to vote from abroad.
Update your electoral roll address and the rest of your move in one go
Moving home usually means updating your address with far more than just the electoral roll. SlothMove’s home moving service lets you update the electoral roll, HMRC, your council, your bank, your energy supplier and hundreds of other organisations from a single form, so you are not repeating the same details across dozens of separate websites and phone calls.
Here’s why over 75,000 people have chosen SlothMove:
- Save 14+ hours of admin time: based on data from over 75,000 completed moves.
- One form updates everything: DVLA, NHS, HMRC, councils, utilities, and more.
- Cheaper than mail redirection: Just £30 versus up to £87 for mail forwarding.
- Secure and trusted: ICO-registered, GDPR compliant, with 256-bit SSL encryption, backed by Taylor Rose MW (one of the UK’s largest conveyancing firms).
SlothMove handles your Council Address update along with all your other essential updates. No chasing, no forgotten providers, no stress.
Related articles and Guides
If you are updating your electoral roll address, you are probably updating several other accounts at the same time. These guides cover the rest of your move:
How to change your address online
How to update your address with HMRC
How to update your address with the NHS
Switching energy suppliers when moving house
What our customers say
Frequently asked questions
Do I need to update my address on the electoral roll?
Yes. Your electoral roll address is used by credit reference agencies, so leaving it out of date can affect your credit score and, in rare cases, result in a fine.
How long does an electoral roll change of address take?
Confirmation is usually sent within two weeks, though the registry office can take two to four weeks to fully process the change.
Can I be registered at two addresses on the electoral roll?
Yes, this is common for students with a home and a term-time address, but you can only vote at one of them.
Does my electoral roll address affect my credit score?
Indirectly, yes. Credit reference agencies use your electoral roll address to confirm your identity and stability, so a mismatch with other records on file can lower your score.
Can I update my electoral roll address from abroad?
Yes, provided you are a British citizen who left the UK within the last 15 years and were previously registered at a UK address.
Is my electoral roll address publicly visible?
Only if you choose to make it so. You can opt to keep your address hidden, visible at your current address, or visible at your previous one.
About SlothMove
SlothMove has helped over 75,000 UK residents update their address across government and private organisations since 2019. We are an ICO-registered data controller, GDPR compliant, and backed by Taylor Rose MW, one of the UK’s
leading conveyancing firms.