Who can apply for a National Insurance number
You can apply for a National Insurance number if you:
- live in the UK
- have the right to work in the UK
- are working, looking for work or have an offer to start work
You can start work before you receive your National Insurance number if you can prove you have the right to work in the UK.
If you already have a National Insurance number, you do not need to apply for a new one, even if your personal details change. Your National Insurance number remains the same for life.
This guide and the service are also available in Welsh (Cymraeg).
You do not need a National Insurance number to start an application for benefits or a student loan. If you need a National Insurance number to get your benefit or student loan paid, you’ll be contacted and told how to get one.
You do not need a National Insurance number to apply to the EU Settlement Scheme.
If you’ve lost your National Insurance number
Check how to find a lost National Insurance number.
If you’re a UK resident aged 19 or under
You’ll normally be sent a National Insurance number in the 3 months before your 16th birthday if both the following are true:
- you live in the UK
- a parent or guardian has filled in a Child Benefit claim form for you
If you did not get a National Insurance number
If you’re aged 16 to 19 and you did not get a National Insurance number either:
- contact HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) if your parent or guardian filled in a Child Benefit claim form for you or if you need to check – you may already have a National Insurance number
- apply for a National Insurance number online if your parent or guardian did not fill in a Child Benefit claim form for you
If you have a biometric residence permit (BRP)
If you have a BRP, you might have a National Insurance number already – it will be printed on the back of your BRP if you do.
If you do not have a National Insurance number, you must apply for one if you plan to work. You can only apply when you’re in the UK.
If you’ve already applied for a National Insurance number
It can take up to 4 weeks to get your National Insurance number.
You can call the application helpline if:
- you applied more than 4 weeks ago
- you’ve moved house since you applied
- your personal details have changed since you applied
If you have an application reference number, have it ready when you call. You’ll find it at the top of the confirmation email you were sent after you applied.
How to apply
To get a National Insurance number you need to apply online. You’ll need to prove your identity when you apply.
What documents you’ll need
If you have any of the following documents, get them ready before you start:
- a passport from any country
- a biometric residence permit (BRP)
- a national identity card from an EU country or from Norway, Liechtenstein or Switzerland
You might need to enter information from one or more of these documents.
You can still apply if you do not have any of these documents, but you may need to attend an appointment in person to prove your identity.
Prove your identity
If you can, you’ll need to take and upload:
- a photo of yourself holding your passport
- photos of other identity documents
You can use a smartphone, tablet or a digital camera.
You’ll be told how to take the photos and what they must look like during the application process.
You can ask someone to take the photos for you.
If you cannot upload photos
You can still apply online but your application will take longer.
You may need to attend an appointment or post photocopies of your documents. You’ll get an email telling you what to do after you’ve submitted your application.
Apply online
After you apply
After you apply you’ll get an email with your application reference number. The email will tell you if you need to provide further proof of your identity.
It can take up to 4 weeks to get your National Insurance number after you’ve proved your identity.
Get help with your application
National Insurance number application helpline (England, Scotland and Wales)
Telephone: 0800 141 2079
Textphone: 0800 141 2438
British Sign Language (BSL) video relay service if you’re on a computer – find out how to use the service on mobile or tablet
Monday to Friday, 8am to 5pm
Find out about call charges
Welsh language National Insurance number application helpline (England, Scotland and Wales)
Telephone: 0800 141 2349
Textphone: 0800 141 2438
British Sign Language (BSL) video relay service if you’re on a computer – find out how to use the service on mobile or tablet
Monday to Friday, 8am to 6pm
Find out about call charges
National Insurance number application helpline (Northern Ireland)
Telephone: 0800 587 0024
Textphone: 0800 587 0194
British Sign Language (BSL) video relay service if you’re on a computer – find out how to use the service on mobile or tablet
Monday to Friday, 9am to 4pm
Find out about call charges