Open Register

This used to be called the edited register. 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 marketing purposes. For example, it is used by businesses and charities to confirm name and address details. 

Your name and address will be included on the Open Register unless you ask for them to be removed.  This is called opting-out.

Removing your details from the open register does not affect your right to vote.

• If someone buys the Open Register what information will they receive?

  The information they receive will include your name, address and the polling district you fall under.

   

  They will not receive your Date of Birth, National Insurance Number or any contact details that you have supplied when registering for the Electoral Register.

   

• How can I purchase the Open Register?

  You will need to contact the Electoral Registration Office to make a request.

  
  Please note, due to Data Protection, we cannot discuss any individuals that appear on the register you have purchased.

   

• How will the Open Register be used?

  • businesses checking the identity and address details of people who apply for their services such as insurance, goods hire and property rental, as well as when they shop online
    
    
  • businesses selling age-restricted goods or services, such as alcohol and
    gambling online, to meet the rules on verifying the age of their customers
    
    
  • charities and voluntary agencies, for example to help maintain contact information for those who have chosen to donate bone marrow and to help people separated by adoption to find each other
    
    
  • charities, to help with fundraising and contacting people who have made donations
    
    
  • debt-collection agencies when tracing people who have changed address without telling their creditors
    
    
  • direct-marketing firms when maintaining their mailing lists
    
    
  • landlords and letting agents when checking the identity of potential tenants
    
    
  • local councils when identifying and contacting residents
    
    
  • online directory firms to help users of the websites find people, such as when reuniting friends and families
    
    
  • organisations tracing and identifying beneficiaries of wills, pensions and insurance policies
    
    
  • private-sector firms to verify details of job applicants.

   

Opt Out Online