Apply to vote by post
We must verify your identity when applying to vote by post. This requires you to provide your National Insurance number.
If you do not have a National Insurance number, you will need to explain why. You can then upload alternative documents that will help us verify your application.
How to apply
You can make an application to vote by post using the secure Government portal.
You will need to provide the following information:
- Full name
- Address including post code
- National insurance number
- Date of birth
- Handwritten signature
How to upload a signature photo
You will need to upload a picture of your signature; the website will advise you on how to provide and upload this.
Your signature must be:
- in focus
- without shadows
- without anything showing in the background
- the right way up
If you are unable to provide a distinctive signature due to a disability, or if you are unable to read or write, the electoral registration officer may grant you a waiver.
Please contact us for more information at electoral.services@croydon.gov.uk, or call 0300 373 0595.
Apply with a paper application
If you are unable to apply online, you can download an application form. The paper application requires the same information, and you will still need to provide your national insurance number on the paper application.
The completed form can be scanned and emailed to electoral.services@croydon.gov.uk.
You can also return it to us by hand or by post to:
Electoral Registration Officer,
Town Hall,
Katharine Street,
Croydon CR9 1DE
If you do not have a printer you can contact Electoral Services so we can send you a paper application; email electoral.services@croydon.gov.uk or call 0300 373 0595.
Renewing your postal vote
The law has changed and the maximum period you can apply to have a postal vote is now for 3 years. If you have a permanent postal vote then you have to reapply before that 3-year period has ceased, or it will be cancelled.
It is likely you will need to reapply for your postal vote by 31 January 2026 if you do not want your arrangement to be cancelled.
We will write to you when it is time for you to reapply.
If your postal vote is cancelled, you can re-apply in any of the ways provided on this page.
Voting by post in an election period
The deadline to apply for a postal vote is 5pm, 11 working days prior to an election or referendum. At the Mayor of Croydon and Croydon Council elections on 7 May 2026 this is 5pm on Tuesday 21 April 2026.
You will not be able to vote in person at the polling station once your arrangement to vote by post is in place.
We aim to send out postal votes to reach voters with as much time as possible before polling day. They are sent via Royal Mail with a special first class reply envelope to return them. The Royal Mail treats postal votes as a priority. Further information regarding dispatch dates will appear here before the election.
The ballot pack includes instructions on how to return the ballot papers. You’ll need to complete a postal voting statement, enclosed within the pack, with your signature and date of birth. We compare this to your original application to make sure that the person voting is the same as the person who applied for the postal vote. The vote cannot be counted if they do not match.
You must return the postal voting statement and your ballot paper(s) before the close of polling on the day of an election. If your postal vote arrives after the close of the poll, it will not be counted.
Returning your postal vote by hand
You can hand in your completed postal vote at any polling station in the borough on polling day, or to the Town Hall Reception, Katharine Street, CR0 1NX
You can hand in no more than 5 postal votes, plus your own. If you, or the person handing them in is a campaigner for a candidate or political party, only postal votes of close family members and non-relatives who they provide regular care to can be handed in.
When handing in a postal vote or postal votes the person will need to complete a Postal Vote Return Form.