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Part of Start a new job: step by step

Apply for a National Insurance number

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How to apply

To get a National Insurance number you need to apply online. You’ll need to prove your identity when you apply.

What documents you’ll need

If you have any of the following documents, get them ready before you start:

  • a passport from any country
  • a national identity card from an EU country or from Norway, Liechtenstein or Switzerland

You might need to enter information from one or more of these documents.

You can still apply if you do not have any of these documents, but you may need to attend an appointment in person to prove your identity.

Prove your identity

If you can, you’ll need to take and upload:

  • a photo of yourself holding your passport
  • photos of other identity documents

You can use a smartphone, tablet or a digital camera.

You’ll be told how to take the photos and what they must look like during the application process.

You can ask someone to take the photos for you.

If you cannot upload photos

You can still apply online but your application will take longer.

You may need to attend an appointment or post photocopies of your documents. You’ll get an email telling you what to do after you’ve submitted your application.

Apply online

Apply

After you apply

After you apply you’ll get an email with your application reference number. The email will tell you if you need to provide further proof of your identity.

It can take up to 4 weeks to get your National Insurance number after you’ve proved your identity.

Get help with your application

National Insurance number application helpline (England, Scotland and Wales)
Telephone: 0800 141 2079
Relay UK (if you cannot hear or speak on the phone): 18001 then 0800 141 2079
British Sign Language (BSL) video relay service if you’re on a computer - find out how to use the service on mobile or tablet
Monday to Friday, 8am to 5pm
Find out about call charges

Welsh language National Insurance number application helpline (England, Scotland and Wales)
Telephone: 0800 141 2349
Relay UK (if you cannot hear or speak on the phone): 18001 then 0800 141 2349
British Sign Language (BSL) video relay service if you’re on a computer - find out how to use the service on mobile or tablet
Monday to Friday, 8am to 6pm
Find out about call charges

National Insurance number application helpline (Northern Ireland)
Telephone: 0800 587 0024
Relay UK (if you cannot hear or speak on the phone): 18001 then 0800 587 0024
British Sign Language (BSL) video relay service if you’re on a computer - find out how to use the service on mobile or tablet
Monday to Friday, 9am to 4pm
Find out about call charges

View a printable version of the whole guide

This page is Part of Start a new job: step by step

  1. Step 1 Get your National Insurance number

    You'll usually need your National Insurance number when you start your new job.

    1. Find your National Insurance number
    1. Apply for a National Insurance number if you do not already have one

  2. Step 2 Accept the job offer

    The offer might be ‘conditional’ or ‘provisional’, which means you may need to give further details to your new employer or pass pre-employment checks.

    1. Find out about your rights when accepting a job offer

  3. Step 3 Share your details for any employer checks

    Give your new employer what they need to complete any pre-employment checks.

    1. Find out what checks your employer can make
    1. Find out how to prove your right to work
    1. Find out about criminal record checks

  4. Step 4 Review your employment contract

    Your new employer should give you an employment contract. Check the terms before you agree to it.

    1. Find out about employment contracts

  5. and If you're leaving a job, hand in your notice

    Tell your current employer that you’re going to leave and when your last day will be. This is known as handing in your notice.

    1. Find out how to hand in your notice

    When you hand in your notice, ask your employer when you’ll get your P45.

    1. Find out about the P45

  6. Step 5 Prepare your personal information for your first day

    To get paid, you’ll need to give your new employer:

  7. Step 6 Give your P45 to your new employer

    Your new employer will use your P45 to work out how much tax to take from your pay.

    1. Find out about the P45

  8. or If you do not have a P45, fill in the starter checklist

    Use the starter checklist to give your employer details they need to work out your pay and tax.

    1. Fill in the starter checklist

  9. Step 7 Check your first payslip

    Your employer must give you a payslip on or before payday.

    1. Find out what should be on your payslip

    It’s your responsibility to make sure you’re paying the right amount of tax.

    1. Check if the tax on your payslip is correct

    If you think the tax is wrong, your tax code may be incorrect.

    1. Find out what to do if you think your tax code is wrong