Hello!

[lapochek]

Hi all!

I've got an electoral roll question. Can't see an obvious place for it so wanted to ask first. And Happy Easter anyway :-)

[nemesis45]

Re: Hello!

Hi Welcome to LB,
How can we help?

nem

[lapochek]

Re: Hello!

Thanks Nem, and please move the thread if it fits better on another board.

I'd like to know if someone who has never been on the electoral roll, and is currently overseas and not resident anywhere, can register at their spouse's British address.

My wife because a British citizen two years ago, but then left the country immediately to work on a United Nations project. She got them to delay her start date just long enough for her citizenship ceremony, and the very next morning I dropped her off at the airport.

Now the UN job is coming to an end, and she is desperate to get back home. We would like to buy a house ASAP, but the electoral roll issue could cause a problem with our mortgage. We'd rather not spend another year renting just because of this.

For a normal job overseas I think we'd have no chance, because she would be a normal resident of the other country, but this is the UN. Their staff have a special status, with a diplomatic ID card. Officially, my wife is not resident anywhere at the moment, which I think is quite unusual... It's impossible to have local utility bills in her name, so her landlord has to include them in the rent.

I still live in England, in a rented flat, and I'm wondering if my wife can just register here on the basis that her absence is temporary. Something like a long backpacking trip. Her name is not on the tenancy now but I should be able to have it added, if that makes a difference.

Would this be worth getting paid legal advice on, or is it a non starter?

[nemesis45]

Re: Hello!

Your wife as a British Citizen can register to vote at her address.
Your ability to register to vote will depend on your nationality, and
residential status.
The UN personnel people should be able to advise you.

nem

[Kati]

Re: Hello!

Try here for info? (not sure how much use it will be tho') - http://www.aboutmyvote.co.uk/registe...-living-abroad
I'm sure you'll get help and advice from our other Beagles
K x

[lapochek]

Re: Hello!

Thanks. She has tried asking the personnel office, and they don't know anything about it unfortunately. Said to ask British government... and the council here also don't know anything. To be fair to the council, I don't think this comes up too often. With most people it must be obvious where they are resident.

I'm a British citizen and registered to vote, so this is only about my wife. Sorry I didn't mention that. She has her British passport now and has given up her other nationality. With hindsight I wish she had registered to vote on the same day she was naturalised, and then stayed registered as an overseas voter, but we forgot in the rush.

Is there anywhere I could look for an official answer? Since the council voter registration people have admitted they haven't a clue...

Your wife as a British Citizen can register to vote at her address.
Your ability to register to vote will depend on your nationality, and
residential status.
The UN personnel people should be able to advise you.

nem

[lapochek]

Re: Hello!

Thanks, I've read that and was still confused :-)

It's clear that if she had registered before leaving, she could have stayed on the roll as an overseas voter. But she has never been on it. Hindsight is a wonderful thing....

I would accept that as final, except that as UN staff, she isn't allowed to become a resident of the other country either. All their staff are on temporary assignments, and are expected to go "home" afterwards. Home is where you lived before starting work there, so the UK in my wife's case. Surely everyone has the right to live somewhere?

Try here for info? (not sure how much use it will be tho') - http://www.aboutmyvote.co.uk/registe...-living-abroad
I'm sure you'll get help and advice from our other Beagles
K x

[lapochek]

Re: Hello!

I suppose I can simplify my question to: is there a minimum number of days you have to be physically in the UK every year to count as a resident?

[nemesis45]

Re: Hello!

You will have to check your status with the British Embassy/Consulate where you are now.
I do not know your nationality or what your status would be.
I presume you are not a "stateless" person, and you have a passport from your home country.

nem

[lapochek]

Re: Hello!

It's my wife, and her only nationality now is British. She gave up her old one after her UK passport was issued.

The British consulate told her to ask the Electoral Commission, who haven't responded.

[nemesis45]

Re: Hello!

[QUOTE=lapochek;536713]Thanks. She has tried asking the personnel office, and they don't know anything about it unfortunately. Said to ask British government... and the council here also don't know anything. To be fair to the council, I don't think this comes up too often. With most people it must be obvious where they are resident.

I'm a British citizen and registered to vote, so this is only about my wife. Sorry I didn't mention that. She has her British passport now and has given up her other nationality. With hindsight I wish she had registered to vote on the same day she was naturalised, and then stayed registered as an overseas voter, but we forgot in the rush.


Is there anywhere I could look for a

You need to contact the Immigration Service or Home Office.

Your wife can register as she is a British Citizen and can be entered on the register in the local area in which she resides.
If she has no permanent address then she cannot register.


BTW mortgage applications need an Absolute Minimum of 3 years stable residential status.

nem.