Credit Building > How to check if you’re on the electoral roll

How to check if you’re on the electoral roll

When you register to vote, you are added to the electoral roll. This means you can participate in local and general elections.

There are also other advantages to being on the electoral roll, the main one being that it can improve your credit score.

This is because lenders and credit reference agencies can verify your identity and address history much easier if you’ve registered to vote at a specific address in the past.

What is the electoral roll?

The electoral roll in the UK is a list of names and addresses of all registered voters. It has two versions: the full register and the “open register”. The open register can be purchased by the public, but you can opt out if you want to keep your details private.

The full register is used for elections, referendums, and various official purposes, such as sending poll cards, selecting jurors, and conducting credit checks. While you cannot opt out of the full register, it is not publicly searchable, so you shouldn’t worry about hurting your privacy.

How do I know if I am on the electoral roll?

To check if you're on the electoral roll in the UK, you can:

1. Use the Government's online service: Visit the GOV.UK website to check your registration status conveniently online.
2. Check your credit report: Simply get your free statutory credit report from Experian, Equifax, or TransUnion. Your electoral roll status and address should be in there.
3. Visit your local library: Many UK libraries have copies of the electoral register. You can visit your nearest library to check if your name and address are listed.
4. Contact your local electoral registration office: If you live in England, Scotland, or Wales, reach out to your local Electoral Registration Office (EOR). Contact the Electoral Office for Northern Ireland (EONI) in Northern Ireland.
5. Wait for the Annual Canvass: Each July, Electoral Registration Offices around the country contact households to verify details on the electoral register. You might get a letter to confirm or update your details if needed.

Why should I make sure that I am on the electoral roll?

Being on the electoral roll is crucial in improving your credit score. When conducting credit checks, lenders often use the electoral roll to verify your identity and address. Because of this, credit reference agencies (like Experian, Equifax, and TransUnion) always use your electoral registration as part of their credit score calculation.

In fact, registering to vote can usually boost your credit score by up to 50 points. For something that is free and takes a few minutes, it's certainly worth it.

And if you’re looking for another way to improve your credit score even more, consider downloading a credit-building card like Wollit.

Wollit is an innovative app that reports your monthly subscription as loan repayment to credit reference agencies, helping you build your credit history—the most important factor in your credit score.

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