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Everyone working or intending to work in the UK needs a National Insurance (NI) number. That you HMRC are able to deduct National Insurance contributions from your salary.
Because of this you’ll find your NI number on your payslip, as well as your P60 (an annual summary of the Income Tax and NI you’ve paid). It will also be on correspondence relating to your pension (including bank statements) and any benefits you may be in receipt of. You can also find it online in your personal tax account on the government’s HMRC site. You’ll need your government gateway user ID and password to access it.
What does my National Insurance number look like?
All NI numbers in the UK comprise of two letters, followed by a set of six digits and then another letter at the end. Once you receive your NI number it will never change so it’s a good idea to memorise it for future use.
Why do I need a National Insurance number?
Apart from the government using your NI number to collect contributions from your pay, your NI number can be used for a number of formal procedures. For instance, your Electoral Registration Office will want to know it to ensure that you’re entitled to vote. Other reasons include:
- Claiming Housing Benefit, Disability Allowance, the State Pension and other benefits
- Applying for a student loan
- Your pension provider
- Applying for a driving licence
- Opening an Individual Savings Account (ISA)
- When buying stocks and shares
Where do I get my National Insurance number?
Every resident in the UK is sent their NI number by HMRC a few weeks prior to turning age 16. The government gets the information from Child Benefit claims. If your parents didn’t apply for Child Benefit then you can notify the government of your existence and the need for an NI number by applying online here.
It may be that you have spent some time in local authority care as a ‘looked after child.’ In these circumstances it is usually a social worker who applies for your NI number. You are then sent your NI number directly. If you haven’t received it then again, use the above number to apply.
I’ve lost my National Insurance number
If you’ve tried looking for your NI number in all the places we’ve mentioned above and you’ve still had no joy, then you can contact HMRC directly. This involves filling in form CA5403 and sending it to the address on the form. As well as providing a number of personal details you’ll also have to attach copies of a passport or driving licence. The personal details you’ll be asked include present and past home addresses, benefits claims in the past and your employment history.
You can also ring the National Insurance Registrations helpline, 0300 200 3500. For those not currently living in the UK you can call +44 191 203 7010. These lines are manned Monday to Friday from 8am to 8pm and on Saturday from 8am to 4pm.
I’ve never had a National Insurance number
It may be the reason you don’t have an NI number is because you’ve recently moved to the UK from abroad. You’ll only get an NI number if you can prove that you have the right to work in this country. If you’ve been granted a Biometric Residence Permit (BRP) then you’ll find the NI number written on the back.
You’ll also be asked to prove you are indeed who you say you are. This is via a photograph which you have to take and upload. This can be with a smartphone, digital camera or a tablet. You’ll be asked to photograph yourself holding identity documents, such as a passport or driving licence. If it’s easier, someone else can take the photograph for you.
Once your application has been sent online it’s simply a case of waiting to hear. You may receive an email asking you to attend a meeting with someone from HMRC. Or, you may be asked to send further identification documents.
How long does it take to get my NI number?
Most people who apply for an NI get it through in around four weeks. But it you’ve moved house since or one or more of your personal details have altered, then it might be an idea to contact the application helpline. Have your application number ready to quote when you call so your file can be accessed quickly.
Get in touch
For help in accessing your National Insurance number, as well as help with your business accounts then why not ring us? You can chat with one of our friendly team who specialises in your particular business sector. Tel: 0800 140 4644 or write to us via our website Contact Us page.
