Use the correct official route to find an existing NI number, download proof, or apply for the first time.
Never enter your National Insurance number on this site.
Look on a payslip, P60 or official tax and benefits letters. The online service can display the number after an identity check.
Get proof of the number
Use the Personal Tax Account or HMRC app to download a confirmation letter. HMRC will not disclose the number by phone or webchat.
Apply for the first time
Only apply if you have never been issued a number. A move, name change or lost document does not create a new number.
Frequently asked questions
Where can I find my National Insurance number?
Check a payslip, P60, tax letter or benefits letter first. You can also sign in to your Personal Tax Account or the HMRC app to view the number and download an official confirmation letter. If you previously saved it, it may also be in your Apple or Google Wallet.
Can HMRC tell me my National Insurance number by phone?
HMRC will not disclose your National Insurance number by phone or webchat. Use the GOV.UK online service, Personal Tax Account or HMRC app. If you cannot prove your identity online, HMRC can post a confirmation letter to the address it holds for you.
How do I apply for a National Insurance number?
Apply through GOV.UK only if you have never had a National Insurance number. You must live in the UK, have the right to work, and be working, looking for work or have a job offer. If you already have a number, do not apply again — it stays the same for life.
Can I start work before my National Insurance number arrives?
Yes. GOV.UK says you can start work before receiving the number if you can prove your right to work in the UK. Give the number to your employer when it arrives so your payroll and National Insurance record can be matched correctly.
How long does a National Insurance number application take?
GOV.UK says a new National Insurance number application can take up to 4 weeks. If you only need written confirmation of an existing number, GOV.UK says you can download a letter from the HMRC app or your personal tax account; HMRC cannot give you the number over the phone or on webchat.
Do I need a National Insurance card?
No physical card is needed. Your number on an official HMRC letter, in your Personal Tax Account or in the HMRC app is enough. The online service lets you download a letter confirming the number when an employer or other organisation asks for proof.
Does my National Insurance number change when I move or change my name?
No. A National Insurance number remains the same for life. Update your personal details with HMRC instead of applying for a replacement number.
