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If you live and work in the United Kingdom, you'll need a National Insurance (NI) number. This number ensures that the taxes you pay throughout the year are recorded against your name. The number consists of 2 letters, 6 numbers, and 1 letter at the end (e.g., AC654321C). If you didn't receive an NI number automatically, you just have to call HM Revenue and Customs (the department responsible for collecting taxes) in order to apply for one. There are also a few different ways you can easily retrieve your number if you lost it. Note that your NI number is no longer printed on a government-issued card, so be sure to write it down and store it in a safe place!
Steps
Make sure you meet the National Insurance UK residency requirements. In order to apply for an NI number, you need to live in the United Kingdom, with a UK phone number and a UK address. You will need to apply for a number if you plan to move to the UK for work or school and want to claim tax benefits.[1]- Your NI number serves to tie your National Insurance contributions and tax payments to you specifically. Your number is thus uniquely assigned to your name.
- If you were born in the UK or have resided there as a child, you will normally receive an NI number in the mail automatically in the 3 months before your 16th birthday.
Tip: If you're a UK resident between the ages of 16 and 19 and have not automatically received an NI number, contact HM Revenue and Customs to receive one.
Check your residence permit to see if you already have an NI number. If you're moving to the UK, you may already have been given an NI number as part of your application for the right to live in the country. Look on the back of your biometric residence permit (BRP) to see if your NI number is printed there.[2]- If an NI number is not printed on your BRP, simply call the application phone number to begin the process of receiving one.
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Call the NI number application line and schedule an interview. After you call the application phone number, the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) will send you a letter inviting you to an in-person interview. The interviewer will ask you about your living and working circumstances and about why you need an NI number.[3]- The application phone number is: 0800 141 2075. There is also a Welsh language phone number you can call, which is: 0800 141 2349.
- The business hours for the application phone number are Monday-Friday from 8:00 am to 6:00 pm.
- The interview will be held at a Jobcentre Plus office. Your letter will tell you where specifically your interview will be held.
Bring documents that prove your identity to the interview. The letter you receive from DWP will specify what types of documents can be used to prove your identity. Some examples of documents you could bring include:[4]- Passport or identity card
- Residence permit
- Birth or adoption certificate
- Marriage or civil partnership certificate
- Driving license
Tip: Once you've been given your NI number, it's a good idea to write it on a small piece of paper or plastic card so you can keep it in your wallet or purse at all times.
Include an NI number application if you're applying for student loans. The Student Loans Company can arrange for you to receive an NI number if you don't have one already. Make sure you check the box on your application indicating that you don't have an NI number in order to receive one as part of your student loan award.[5]- This method is a much easier way to apply for an NI number than calling the application phone number and waiting for a DWP letter.
- You'll probably be required to attend an “evidence of identity” interview as part of this process.
Look online on your personal tax account for your NI number. The HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) website includes a variety of relevant information about you on your personal tax account. Visit the UK government website's personal tax account page to log in to your account and view your NI number.[6]- The URL for this website page is: https://www.gov.uk/personal-tax-account. You will need to provide your user ID for the site or create one if you're accessing it for the first time.
- In addition to your NI number, your personal tax account also includes information like your Income Tax Estimate, your tax credits, your State Pension, and tax forms that you've submitted online.
Check old tax documents, if you have copies lying around. Read through letters you've received from HMRC about tax, pensions, or benefits. There's a good chance these letters will include your NI number along with the rest of your personal information.[7]- The number will be listed on the upper left side of the letter, next to “NI Number.” It should be directly above the phrase “Dear (Your Name).”
Look on your old payslips or P60s for your NI number. Most official documents you receive from your employer will include your NI number. If you don't have your old payslips, contact your employer and ask them if they can provide you a copy of your most recent payslip.[8]- Your NI number should be located somewhere close to your name and other personal information on these documents.
- Your P60 is a statement your employer issues to you at the end of the tax year that proves you've paid taxes throughout the year.
Request the HMRC send you your number if you can't find it yourself. Call the HMRC phone number to have them send you a letter containing your NI number. The letter will arrive within 15 working days.[9]- The phone number to call is: 0300 200 3500.
- The HMRC phone number is active Monday-Friday from 8:00 am to 8:00 pm, and on Saturdays from 8:00 am to 4:00 pm.
Tip: HMRC is not allowed to give you your NI number over the phone. This is why they have to send it to you in the mail.
Expert Q&A
Tips
References
- ↑ https://www.gov.uk/apply-national-insurance-number
- ↑ https://www.gov.uk/apply-national-insurance-number
- ↑ https://www.gov.uk/apply-national-insurance-number
- ↑ https://www.gov.uk/apply-national-insurance-number
- ↑ https://www.nidirect.gov.uk/articles/apply-national-insurance-number
- ↑ https://www.gov.uk/lost-national-insurance-number
- ↑ https://www.gov.uk/lost-national-insurance-number
- ↑ https://worksmart.org.uk/work-rights/young-workers/working-students/i-have-lost-my-national-insurance-number-what-do-i-do
- ↑ https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/hm-revenue-customs/contact/national-insurance-numbers
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