How to Register to Vote in Canada
Canadian citizens who are 18+ can register online with Elections Canada. It takes about 10 minutes. Or you can just show up at a polling station with proof of address and register on the spot. Permanent residents and temporary residents cannot vote in federal elections.
At a glance
- Cost:
- Free
- Total time:
- 10 minutes online
- Steps:
- 5 steps
- Where to apply:
- elections.ca
Last reviewed October 2026 against official sources. Re-checked annually · next review due October 2027.
The Steps
Follow these in order
Each card shows the phase, expected time, and any cost. Data checked against official CAN sources(October 2026).
0 of 5 steps
- Before You Go 5 min
Confirm you are eligible
You can vote in federal elections if three things are true. You are a Canadian citizen. You are at least 18 years old on election day. And you are registered to vote at your current address. Permanent residents cannot vote. Work and study permit holders cannot vote. Visitors cannot vote. This is true even for long-term residents.
Click to mark as done
- Fill / Prepare 10 min
Register or update your address online
Use the Elections Canada Online Voter Registration Service. You need your driver's licence number. You can check if you are already registered. You can update your address after a move. Or you can register for the first time. Online registration stays open until 6 p.m. on the Tuesday before election day. After that, register at your polling place when you go to vote.
Click to mark as done
- Submit & Pay
Watch for your voter information card
Once an election is called, registered voters get a voter information card by mail. It arrives within about a week. The card tells you where and when to vote. Check the name and address on it. Is anything wrong? Call Elections Canada at 1-800-463-6868 before election day.
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- Go
Vote with the right ID
At the polling station, you need ID. Option one: one piece of government ID with your photo, your name, and your address. A driver's licence is ideal. Option two: two other pieces of ID. At least one must show your address. Option three: swear an oath, while someone from your polling division vouches for you.
Click to mark as done
- Receive
Vote early if it suits you
You can vote on election day, which is always a Monday. You have other options too. Vote at any advance poll, from the Friday to the Monday a week before. Vote at an Elections Canada office any time after the writ drops. Or vote by mail. Apply for a special ballot kit by the Tuesday before election day, and return it on time.
Click to mark as done
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
I just became a Canadian citizen. Can I vote?
Yes, from the moment you take the oath. Register online, or register at the polls. Bring your citizenship certificate and proof of address. New citizens are one of the groups most often missing from the voters list. Registering early saves time on election day.
I moved and did not update my registration. Can I still vote?
Yes. Go to the polling station for your NEW address. Register there with proof of address. You vote where you live on election day, not where you were registered before. But updating online first is faster.
Can I vote if I am abroad?
Yes. Canadian citizens who live abroad can vote by special ballot. You vote in the riding where you last lived. Apply to Elections Canada for a mail-in kit as soon as an election is called. Your ballot must arrive back by election day. A postmark is not enough.
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