If you’ve misplaced or forgotten your NI number, If you still can’t locate your number, call your local Jobcentre Plus, social security office, or HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) NI Contributions Office for assistance.
How can I find someone’s National Insurance number?
When hiring a new employee, it’s critical that they provide their National Insurance (NI) number, both for your records and to guarantee that their employee and employer NI contributions are accurately allocated to their HMRC record.
If your employee is unsure if they have one or has forgotten their NI number, there are several options available to them.
Please notice that we are unable to assist you in locating your National Insurance Number. To find out, utilize the methods listed below.
Call the National Insurance Helpline
The National Insurance Number Helpline can be reached at 0300 200 3500. HMRC won’t be able to provide you your National Insurance number over the phone, so you’ll have to wait for it to be mailed to you. It could take up to 15 working days to arrive, same like the CA5403 forms.
You can also use the HMRC Basic PAYE Tool or your own payroll software’s NVR capability to verify any NI number you have on file as an employer. More information can be found here.
Via the HMRC mobile app or personal tax account online
Employees may get this information quickly by downloading the HMRC mobile app or logging into their personal tax account (PTA), where they can view, print, and share an image of their NI number. If an employee does not have their NI number and wants to access their personal tax account for the first time, they will be prompted to enter their full name and postcode, which must match HMRC’s data. They may also be required to give information like a P60, a recent paystub, or a valid passport to validate their identity.
Look at previous payslips or P60’s
Request that your employee review former employer’s payslips or P60s, as these may contain their NI Number. They could also look at any correspondence they’ve received from government departments about taxes, pensions, or benefits.
Complete form CA5403
The employee could fill out form CA5403 online and have their NI number mailed to their home address by HMRC. Please keep in mind that receiving an NI number via mail can take up to 15 days. https://www.gov.uk/lost-national-insurance-number
How do I find my mother’s NI number?
Plastic NI cards are no longer issued by HM Revenue & Customs. If you’ve misplaced or forgotten your NI number, it can be found on your payslip, P60, or any HMRC tax, pensions, or benefits correspondence. If you’ve registered for one, you can also access it through your personal tax account.
If you are unable to open a personal tax account and are still unable to locate your NI number, you may:
- Fill out and return form CA5403 to HMRC, together with two forms of identification.
HMRC will not give you your National Insurance number over the phone; instead, you will get it in the mail.
Can you find your NI number online?
Just before your 16th birthday, you should receive a National Insurance (NI) number that looks something like AB123456C.
You’ll only ever have one NI number, and it’ll remain the same for the rest of your life. It keeps track of your National Insurance contributions, which can entitle you to certain benefits including a state pension over the course of your working life.
It’s critical to keep it safe, just as you would with other sensitive personal information. Any new employer you work for must be aware of this in order to accurately pay in your contributions. You’ll also need it if you want to talk to HMRC about tax and benefits, or if you want to apply for a provisional driver’s license, an ISA savings account, or a student loan.
But it’s not the end of the world if you’ve misplaced your NI number. There are a few options for relocating it:
Find it online
You may check your number by logging into your personal tax account online or downloading the HMRC App. When you go online, you’ll be given certain questions to authenticate your identity. Don’t worry if you don’t succeed the first time; you can always try again later. You may see, share, or print a copy of your NI number confirmation letter once you’ve logged in.
Look back through old records
Your NI number can be found on a variety of paperwork you’ve received from your employer or HMRC. Examine old paystubs, P60s, and any tax, pension, or benefit letters.
Request it by post
You can get your NI number back by filling out an online form on the HMRC website. If you prefer, you can call HMRC and have your number mailed to you – visit the National Insurance Number Helpline for further information.
However, receiving a number by mail can take up to 15 days, so don’t wait until the last minute!
Scam companies that promise to supply your social security number online in exchange for a charge should be avoided. It is free to obtain a national insurance number, which is provided by HMRC.
How do I get my National Insurance number when I turn 16?
HMRC told us that delays to automated letters began in May as a result of a change in its systems. HMRC believes that it issues up to 60,000 juvenile NI numbers each month. It claims that “the problem has been rectified” since September 5, but it couldn’t tell us how many NI numbers were delayed in total or how many recent complaints it got about the matter.
According to a representative for HMRC, “There were some delays in distributing these automatic letters after a change in the method HMRC provides NI number letters to young individuals. Backlogs have been cleared, and we are now delivering letters to the vast majority of consumers on a regular basis.”
What is a Help to Buy ISA and why do I need an NI number?
A Help to Buy ISA (individual savings account) is a government-sponsored savings program that aims to assist people in saving for a deposit on their first property. The state will match 25% of your contributions, up to a maximum of £3,000 on deposits of £12,000. You can save up to £1,200 in the first month, and then up to £300 per month after that. Help to Buy ISAs, like all other ISAs, are tax-free.
You can open one until Saturday, November 30th, but you won’t be able to save in it until November 30th, 2029 – so if you’re not sure if you’ll need one, try opening one now for as little as £1 and saving in it later. The state incentive of 25% will be added if you use it as a down payment on your first property by December 1, 2030.
You must be 16 or older, a UK resident, and not own a property anywhere in the world to be eligible for a Help to Buy ISA. You’ll also need an NI number to avoid opening multiple Help to Buy ISAs and to avoid exceeding your ISA allowance across all types of ISAs.
When SHOULD I get my NI number under normal circumstances?
- Your NI number should be immediately supplied to you if your parent has ever filled out a child benefit claim form for you. If all goes according to plan, you should be able to do so three months before your 16th birthday.
- You will not be automatically assigned an NI number if your parents never enrolled you for child benefit. Instead, call the NI number application line at 0800 141 2075 to apply for a number.
It’s worth noting, however, that the above-mentioned delays only apply to people who SHOULD have received NI numbers automatically. Sara and Lisa both said they were on the waiting list for child benefit.
While HMRC has acknowledged that there were delays in giving out NI numbers earlier this year, the official line is that the backlog has now been cleared – meaning that anybody who turned 16 and would have been automatically sent one should have received one, but some haven’t.
I’m 16 and waiting for my NI number how quickly can I get it?
If you’re 16 and hoping to get a Help to Buy ISA, you should act quickly if you haven’t received your NI number whether it was supposed to arrive automatically but has been delayed, or you were never registered for child benefit by your parents and thus weren’t supposed to be sent one automatically.
HMRC recommends calling its helpdesk at 0300 200 3500 in any scenario. Make sure you clarify why you need your phone number right away.
The number should arrive within 15 working days of your call, according to HMRC, however it may arrive sooner. Request that it be sent quickly because the Help to Buy ISA deadline is approaching in less than 15 working days. However, if you’re in a pinch and are currently receiving child benefit, there is a strategy you may use to quickly locate your NI number.
You’ll need their full name, date of birth, current and past addresses, and their child benefit number if you’re phoning on behalf of a child. You’ll need your date of birth and address if you’re phoning for your own NI number.
What if I’m about to turn 16?
If you’re turning 16 this month and want to apply for a Help to Buy ISA, you should phone 0300 200 3500 as soon as possible. Automatically sent numbers normally arrive three months before your 16th birthday, so if you were supposed to get one, it should have already arrived and in any case, time is of the essence, so you should chase it down as soon as possible.
Claiming child benefit? You can also try this trick
There is one more thing you can do if your parent has registered you for child benefit and you are part of a ‘active claim’ – that is, your parents are currently receiving child benefit.
Can I apply after 30 November or apply now and send my NI later?
Unfortunately, the Government will only allow Help to Buy ISAs to be opened until Saturday, November 30th, and banks and building societies will not be able to provide their own extensions. (In reality, Santander has pushed back the deadline for its customers to November 28th.)
We’ve asked the best-buy Help to Buy ISA providers if the NI number requirement may be relaxed, i.e. can you apply now and provide your NI number later? Again, this is a government mandate, so there’s no way around it Nationwide, NatWest, and Santander have all told us that you’ll need to provide the number when you apply.
Is a National Insurance number the same as a PPS number?
In Northern Ireland, a Personal Public Service (PPS) number is the equivalent of a National Insurance number. It’s a one-of-a-kind identifier that you can use in any transactions you have with government agencies, such as claiming benefits or registering with the Revenue Commissioners.
When was my NI number issued?
To receive a NINO, you must be at least 16 years old and a resident of the United Kingdom or Northern Ireland.
You can look for work and begin working without a NINO, but you must apply right away.
What is a National Insurance number?
Just before your 16th birthday, you should receive a National Insurance number (NINO). To identify minors approaching their 16th birthday, the government uses records from child assistance claims. If your parents or guardians have not claimed child benefit, you must apply for a National Insurance number using the instructions below. In this instance, your parents may be compelled to attend an interview. If you are a looked-after kid, your social worker should apply for a NINO three months before your 16th birthday on your behalf.
Your NINO will be unique to you for the rest of your life, but it is not a method of identification. You should never utilize another person’s NINO. Every person has a unique phone number, and every member of your family over the age of 16 should have one as well.
A NINO consists of two letters, six digits, and a final letter, such as QQ 12 34 56 A.
You can print a letter confirming your NINO from your Personal Tax Account if you require one.
Where do I get a National Insurance number from?
Just before your 16th birthday, you should receive a National Insurance number (NINO).
The DWP issues NINOs in England, Scotland, and Wales. The Department for Social Development (DSD) gives them to people who live in Northern Ireland.
In England, Scotland, or Wales, call the Jobcentre Plus NINO service to apply for a NINO.
You can call your nearest NINO processing centre if you live in Northern Ireland. The NI direct website has more information.
In our migration area, we provide more information on how to obtain a National Insurance number.
Who needs to know my National Insurance number?
If you believe your NINO has been taken and you are the victim of identity fraud or theft, you should call HMRC and inform them of your suspicions.
What do I do if I lose or forget my National Insurance number?
If you misplace or forget your National Insurance number (NINO), you may be able to locate it on official papers such as payslips, tax returns, or PAYE coding notices.
- completing and delivering form CA5403 ‘Your National Insurance Number’ to HMRC; or
HMRC will write to you and confirm the NINO regardless of the method you employ. They won’t give you the NINO over the phone.
You can print a letter confirming your NINO from your Personal Tax Account if you require one. In our tax fundamentals section, you can learn more about Personal Tax Accounts and how to open one.
What can be done with a stolen National Insurance number?
Have you been contacted by someone claiming that your National Insurance number has been compromised? If you do, hang up straight away since they’re a con artist.
Criminals have been targeting individuals to deceive them into disclosing their National Insurance details, according to Action Fraud, the UK’s national reporting centre for fraud and cyber crime. Scams like these are becoming more common.
How does the National Insurance number scam work?
If you’re a victim, you’ll get a call from the scammers telling you that your National Insurance number has been compromised. You may be instructed to dial a number on your phone keypad, after which you will be connected to a fraudster who will inform you that your National Insurance number has been used to claim for benefits unlawfully.
The caller would then ask you “security” questions in attempt to obtain personal information, and may threaten you with a fee or arrest if you don’t answer. They may even demand cash from you, claiming it’s to avoid a warrant for your arrest that they believe is out. Once the fraudster has all of the information they need, they’ll tell you that a new National Insurance number will be sent in the mail and hang up.
What could they do with my data?
“What can a fraudster do with my National Insurance number?” you might wonder. When used alone, it’s not very effective. It could be used for a variety of illegal acts if combined with other personal information gathered from you during the call, or from a data breach, social media, or phishing emails.
It could be used to steal your identity, claim government benefits in your name without your permission, or take out financial instruments such as loans, all of which could have a negative impact on your finances and credit history.
How can I protect myself?
If you’re approached suddenly and requested for personal information, always ask who’s calling. Criminals can spoof phone numbers, making calls appear to come from legitimate businesses, so never rely on a phone number or caller ID to verify who you’re dealing with.
If you wanted to hang up and call back on the number listed on their website, a reputable company would not be angry. Genuine businesses would never phone you out of the blue and demand your Social Security number or other sensitive details.
Remember to be wary of emails that ask for personal information, since this could be another technique for fraudsters to persuade you to hand over sensitive information. Is an email from the person you think it is? To learn more about phishing emails, see our blog.
What else should I look out for?
Another way criminals can try to get your NI number is to set up bogus employment websites that advertise jobs that don’t exist. As part of the application process, these sites will ask for all of your personal information, as well as money or copies of your ID for “checks.”
Before applying for a job, do some research on the recruiter – websites like Glassdoor (an employee review site) can educate you about other employees’ experiences with a company. Also, look for errors in the job advertisement’s spelling and grammar.
If you believe you’ve been the victim of a scam like this, notify Action Fraud and your bank if you’ve given out any financial information.
Can someone else use my National Insurance number?
As soon as you have your National Insurance number, inform your employer. Don’t give out your Social Security number to anyone who doesn’t need it since it could be used to steal your identity.