National Insurance numbers

A National Insurance number is unique to you and you will keep that number all of your life.

HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) use it to record and credit National Insurance contributions to your National Insurance account. You will need these National Insurance contributions and credits when you come to claim benefit, whether it is for a short while, like Incapacity Benefit or long term, such as Basic State Pension.

Your National Insurance number is personal to you.
It is your account number allocated to you for you to use in all your dealings with HMRC, the Social Security Agency in Northern Ireland or the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP).
It is not proof of your identity and it looks something like this: AB123456C. (This National Insurance number is only an example and should not be used as your own number)

You must give your National Insurance number to your employer when start work.

A National Insurance number is automatically allocated to people who:

are under 16 years old
live in the UK, and
for whom Child Benefit is in payment

These people are automatically registered and a National Insurance number card sent to them just before their 16th birthday. If you have not received your National Insurance card automatically you should; if you are under 20, telephone the National Insurance Registration Helpline. If you are 20 or over, telephone DWP, JobCentre plus on 0845 600 0643.

You do not have a legal right to a National Insurance number, but there are circumstances when you are legally obliged to apply for one and register for National Insurance purposes.

If you are not entitled to automatically receive a National Insurance number, you must apply for a National Insurance number by contacting DWP, JobCentre plus on 0845 600 0643.

When one of the following applies:

you want to claim benefit
you are starting work
you are self-employed
you are looking for work
your partner is claiming benefit for you
you want to pay voluntary National Insurance contributions and would benefit from paying them

When anyone applies for a National Insurance number DWP, JobCentre plus have to:

check their identity
make sure they need a National Insurance number

Further information on the National Insurance number application process and the types of evidence required at interview can be found on the DWP web site (Opens new window).

Confirming a National Insurance number

The National Insurance Registrations helpline will deal with all telephone enquiries about confirmation of a National Insurance number, and requests for replacement National Insurance number cards or complete form CA5403.

A list of Frequently Asked Questions is available should you require them.