NIM39305 – National Insurance Numbers (NINOs): Registration of a new NINO: Juvenile Registration: the automatic process

Most people are automatically given a number as they approach age 16. This is because when a claim to Child Benefit is made, the child is allocated a Child Reference Number (CRN) for HMRC/DWP use only. When the child reaches 15 years 9 months, information about those children for whom Child Benefit is being paid is transferred from Child Benefit records via DWP’s Departmental Central Index (DCI) to NIRS. At this point the CRN becomes their NINO. HMRC notifies each child of their NINO by means of a small plastic card sent to them from the age of 15 years and 9 months onwards.

However, special action needs to be taken for

• Children who are being looked after by Social Services NIM39310.
• Children whose parent are in HMF NIM39315
• Other cases excluded from the automatic process NIM39325