Register to vote

Registering anonymously

If your personal safety would be at risk from having your name appear on the voters' list, you may be able to register anonymously. The rules allowing people to register in this way are exceptionally strict and set out in law.

What you will need

  • a current court document which is for the protection of or benefit to either themselves or someone in their household, or
  • the support of the application from a qualified person. That person must be one of the following:
     
    • a police officer of or above the rank of inspector of any police force in England and Wales
       
    • a police officer of or above the rank of inspector of the Police Service of Scotland
       
    • a police officer of or above the rank of inspector of the Police Service of Northern Ireland
       
    • the Director General of the Security Service
       
    • the Director General of the National Crime Agency
       
    • any director of adult social services in England within the meaning of section 6(A1) of the Local Authority Social Services Act 1970
       
    • any director of children's services in England within the meaning of section 18 of the Children Act 2004
       
    • any director of social services in Wales within the meaning of section 6(1) of the Local Authority Social Services Act 1970
       
    • any chief social work officer in Scotland within the meaning of section 3 of the Social Work (Scotland) Act 1968
       
    • any director of social services of a Health and Social Services Board established under article 16 of the Health and Personal Social Services (Northern Ireland) Order 1972
       
    • any executive director of social work of a Health and Social Services Trust established under article 10 of the Health and Personal Social Services (Northern Ireland) Order 1991
       
    • any registered medical practitioner
       
    • any registered nurse or midwife
       
    • any person who manages a refuge. A 'refuge' means accommodation with a planned programme of therapeutic and practical support for victims of, or those at risk of, domestic abuse or violence.

Please note: the qualifying officer doesn't have to be based in the same area as the applicant, but the attestation can't be delegated to a more junior person within the organisation.

You will be required to renew your anonymous registration each year. You will need to re-submit any court orders or attestation documents for your renewal so please make sure you keep these safe.

Register to vote

To register this way, please download and complete a registration form:
   

Download the form

When you have completed the form, you can either:

  • post the document to Elections Department, Newcastle-under-Lyme Borough Council, Castle House, Barracks Road, Newcastle-under-Lyme, ST5 1BL