Apply for a National Insurance number
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 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