Finance glossary
Electoral Roll
Also known as: Electoral register
In simple terms
The electoral roll is the official list of people registered to vote. Being on it at your current address helps lenders confirm who you are, which can improve your chances of being approved for credit.
On this page
What does electoral roll mean?
The electoral roll (electoral register) is the official record of people registered to vote at a given address. Lenders and credit reference agencies use the version of it available for credit checks to help confirm your name and address.
It is one of the simplest things that can affect how easily you are accepted for credit.
How the electoral roll affects credit
When you apply for credit, a lender checks that you are who you say you are and live where you say you live. Being registered at your current address makes this quick and reduces the need for extra identity checks.
If you are not registered, an application can be delayed or declined even if everything else is fine.
How could this affect me?
Registering to vote at your current address is a free, easy way to help your creditworthiness. If you have recently moved, updating your registration is worth doing before applying for credit.
You can register through GOV.UK; there is an “open” register you can opt out of for marketing, which does not affect the version used for credit checks.
Things to watch out for
- Not being registered at your current address can cause applications to be declined.
- Recently moved? Update your registration before applying for credit.
- Opting out of the “open register” for marketing does not affect credit checks.
General information, not personal advice
Consumer Credit is an independent information service. We do not provide regulated financial advice or sell financial products. For advice on your own situation, speak to an appropriately authorised firm or a free service such as MoneyHelper. About Consumer Credit.
Sources
We checked this page against these official and authoritative sources.
- GOV.UK, Register to vote (opens in a new tab). Accessed 22 Aug 2026.
- MoneyHelper, How to improve your credit score (opens in a new tab). Accessed 22 Aug 2026.