How to vote

There are two types of register: 

• the electoral register
• the open register (also known as the edited register) 

The electoral register

The electoral register lists the names and addresses of everybody registered to vote in public elections.  

The electoral register is used for:

• electoral purposes
• crime prevention and law enforcement
• calling people for jury service
• background checks by government departments
• identity checks by credit reference agencies  

You can find copies of the electoral register at the: 

• Royal Borough of Greenwich Electoral Registration Office
• British Library
• Electoral Commission
• Boundary Commissions
• Office for National Statistics

The open register

Any person, company or organisation can buy an extract of the electoral register. This is the open or edited registry.

The open register is used by:

• businesses to check the identity and address of people who apply for their services such as insurance, goods hire and online shopping
• businesses to sell age-restricted goods or services such as alcohol and gambling online
• charities and other voluntary agencies
• debt collection agencies to trace people who have moved without telling their creditors
• direct marketing firms
• landlords and letting agents
• local councils
• online directory firms
• organisations to trace and identify beneficiaries of wills, pensions and insurance policies
• private sector firms to verify details of job applicants

Opt out of the open register

You can: 

• opt out when you are registering to vote
• contact us to opt out if you have already registered 

You need to tell us you want to opt out of the open register and give your full name and address.