Find or apply for a National Insurance number

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.

Already have a number

Find your NI number on GOV.UK

View it online or download an official confirmation letter.

Never had a number

Apply on GOV.UK

Check eligibility and start the official application.

Choose the right NI number route

Find an existing number

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 are only requesting written confirmation of an existing number, a posted letter can take up to 10 working days in the UK or up to 21 working days if you live abroad.

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.

Official sources

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