Students: Starting work - No National Insurance number

Before you do any work - employed or self-employed - you must have a National Insurance number.

If you were born in the UK you should have received a National Insurance number card just before your 16th birthday. The card looks similar to a credit card and shows your National Insurance number.

You may also be able to find your National Insurance number on:

• payslips
  
• forms P60 - End of Year Certificate
  
• forms P45 - Employee leaving details
  
• letters we've sent you.

If you've forgotten or lost your National Insurance number
If you've had a National Insurance number but you've forgotten or lost it, you can obtain a replacement number card by contacting your local Jobcentre Plus, Social Security Office or Jobcentre. You can find the telephone number in your local telephone directory.

For more information you can phone the National Insurance registration Helpline on 0845 915 7006.

If you've never had a National Insurance number
If you've never been given a National Insurance number you should contact your local Jobcentre Plus, Social Security Office or Jobcentre for an interview. They will be able to help you apply. They can also give you a form CA5404. You can then show this form to your employer, as proof that you've applied for a number.

For more information you can phone the National Insurance registration Helpline on 0845 915 7006.