How to Change Address on the Electoral Register in 2026
When you move house in the UK, you need to update your address on the electoral register. This is separate from council tax and is essential for voting, protecting your credit score, and verifying your identity for mortgages and loans.
Many people assume that paying council tax automatically registers them to vote. It doesn’t. You must register yourself, and failing to do so can damage your credit rating and cause problems when applying for mortgages, loans, or credit cards.
In this guide, we’ll explain everything you need to know about changing your address on the electoral register in 2026, including what happens if you don’t update, how to register, and how long it takes.
Understanding the Electoral Register
The electoral register is the official list of people eligible to vote in the UK. It’s maintained by your local council and is separate from council tax. Paying council tax does NOT automatically register you to vote – you must register yourself
Key facts about the electoral register:
- Individual responsibility – Each person must register themselves (it’s not automatic).
- Separate from council tax – Paying council tax does not register you to vote.
- Two registers – The full register (used for elections and credit checks) and the open register (public, can opt out).
- Free to register – Registration is always free and takes 5 minutes online.
- Stays with you – Your NHS number equivalent for voting rights.
- Automatic removal – When you register at your new address, you’re automatically removed from your old address.
What Happens If You Don’t Update Your Electoral Register Address?
Failing to register at your new address has serious consequences, including credit score damage, mortgage and loan rejections, and loss of voting rights.
Credit Score Damage
One of the biggest impacts of not being on the electoral register is damage to your credit score. Lenders use the electoral register as a primary tool to verify your identity and confirm you live where you say you do.
Not being registered can:
- Lower your credit score significantly – Being on the electoral register can improve your credit score by 50+ points; not being registered damages it substantially.
- Cause mortgage rejections – Lenders may reject your application if you’re not on the electoral register at your registered address.
- Block loan and credit card applications – Credit providers use electoral register data to verify your identity.
- Delay financial applications – Even if approved, you may face additional verification steps and delays.
- Affect insurance quotes – Some insurers use electoral register data in their underwriting process.
In our experience helping over 75,000 UK movers update their address details since 2019, we’ve seen customers face mortgage rejections, delayed loan approvals, and higher insurance premiums because they weren’t on the electoral register at their new address.
Loss of Voting Rights
If you’re not registered, you can’t vote in elections or referendums.
This means:
- Can’t vote in general elections – You’re excluded from the democratic
process - Can’t vote in local elections – Local council and mayoral elections require registration
- Can’t vote in referendums – Any national or local referendums require registration
- Miss election deadlines – You must be registered 12 working days before an election to vote
How to Update Your Address on the Electoral Register?
Option 1: SlothMove (All-in-one Address Update Tool)
When you move home, updating the electoral register is just one of many essential notifications. You also need to update your driving licence, V5C, HMRC, council, water company, utilities, and dozens more.
SlothMove handles all of it in one go.
Through a single 15-minute form, SlothMove updates your address on the electoral register along with hundreds of other organisations.
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).
Option 2: Register Directly with Your Local Council
You can register to vote directly through the government website or by contacting your local council.
Online:
1. Visit http://www.gov.uk/register-to-vote
2. Enter your new address and personal details (name, date of birth, nationality)
3. Provide your National Insurance number or passport/driving licence details
4. Submit your application
Processing time: Registration typically takes 1-5 working days to approve. However, it can take 4-6 weeks for your new registration to appear on credit reference agency files (Equifax, Experian, etc.).
The catch: You need to register each person in your household individually. If you’re moving with family members, each person must register separately. You also still need to separately update your driving licence, V5C, HMRC, council, water company, utilities, and 20+ other organisations.
Important: Council Tax Is NOT Electoral Register
This is the biggest misconception about electoral registration. Paying council tax does NOT register you to vote. These are two completely separate systems.
1. Council tax – A local property tax, managed by your council
2. Electoral register – A list of people eligible to vote, also managed by your
council
You must register to vote separately, even if you’re paying council tax at your new address. Many people assume they’re automatically registered when they pay council tax and miss the registration step entirely.
Open Register vs Full Register
When you register, you’ll be asked about the open register:
1. Full register (private) – Used for elections, credit checks, and fraud prevention. Kept private.
2. Open register (public) – Sold to marketing companies for direct mail and surveys. You can opt out without affecting your credit score.
You can opt out of the open register without any impact on your credit rating or voting rights. Your credit score is based on the full register, not the open register.
When to Update Your Electoral Register Address?
Timing is important when registering at your new address, especially if you’re planning to apply for a mortgage or loan.
Best practice: Register at your new address within the first week of moving.
Here’s why:
- Protect your credit score – The sooner you register, the sooner it appears on your credit file (though this takes 4-6 weeks).
- Prepare for mortgage applications – If you’re planning to apply for a mortgage, register before applying to avoid delays or rejections.
- Ensure voting rights – You must be registered 12 working days before any election to vote.
- Verify your identity – Electoral register is a primary tool for identity verification.
Before moving (if possible):
- Confirm your new address is finalised
- Register at your new address online (you can register before moving day if you have your new address confirmed).
Within the first week of moving:
- Register at your new address if you haven’t already
- You’ll be automatically removed from your old address
After registration:
- Check your registration status after 5-10 working days.
- Wait 4-6 weeks for your new registration to appear on credit referenceagency files.
- Delay mortgage/loan applications until your new registration appears on your credit file (if possible).
Making Your Move Stress-Free
Updating your electoral register address doesn’t have to be complicated. Whether you register directly through gov.uk or use SlothMove to handle all your address changes in one go, the important thing is getting it done quickly to protect your credit score and maintain your voting rights.
The SlothMove difference: While registering directly through gov.uk is free, you’ll still need to separately update your driving licence, V5C, HMRC, council, water company, utilities, and 20+ other organisations. For just £30, SlothMove updates your electoral register address (along with all your other essential updates) through one simple form, ensuring nothing is forgotten and your credit score is protected one quickly to avoid healthcare access gaps and prescription problems.
Over 75,000 people have already made their moves stress-free with SlothMove.
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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.
Disclaimer: This information is accurate as of January 2026 and is intended for general guidance about updating your electoral register address. For specific advice about electoral registration or to check your registration status, visit http://www.gov.uk/register-to-vote or contact your local council’s electoral services team. SlothMove is not affiliated with the Electoral Commission.