Where to find your National Insurance number
From your employer
- Look at a payslip or your P60: the number is printed on both.
- Your employer's payroll team holds it too, because you gave it to them when you started.
In the HMRC app
- Sign in to the HMRC app (available if you live in the UK).
- Your National Insurance number is shown in the app. You can save it to Apple or Google Wallet, or download a letter showing it.
In your personal tax account
- Sign in to your personal tax account on GOV.UK, if you already have one.
- Find your National Insurance number there, or download a letter confirming it.
On letters and returns
- Check letters you've had about tax, pensions or benefits.
- If you grew up in the UK, you'd normally have been sent a letter with your number shortly before your 16th birthday.
What it looks like
Two letters, six numbers and a final letter, for example QQ 12 34 56 B, printed on payslips, P60s and HMRC letters.
If you've lost it
- Check your payslips, P60s and old letters, and Apple or Google Wallet if you saved it there.
- Sign in to the HMRC app or your personal tax account and download a letter showing the number.
- Use GOV.UK's 'Check how to find your National Insurance number' tool, which asks a few questions and points you to the best option for your situation.
- If you've never had a number, for example because you've moved to the UK, you may need to apply for one.
Why you're asked for it
Your National Insurance number makes sure your National Insurance contributions and tax are recorded against your name only. You'll usually need it when you start a new job, and it appears on documents such as payslips, your P60 and your P45.
It stays the same for life. To prevent identity fraud, GOV.UK says not to share it with anyone who doesn't need it. Those who do include HMRC, your employer and the Department for Work and Pensions if you claim benefits.
It isn't the same as a Unique Taxpayer Reference (UTR), which is a separate 10-digit number you only get when you register for Self Assessment.
Why HMRC won't read it out
HMRC says it can't give you your National Insurance number over the phone or on webchat. Treat anyone who offers to 'confirm' it by phone, text or message with suspicion, and use the app, your personal tax account or your own documents instead.
Look out for scams
HMRC says it will never ask you to disclose personal or payment information by text message, and never uses social media to ask for personal or financial details. If a message asks for your National Insurance number, don't reply: forward suspicious texts to 60599 and emails to phishing@hmrc.gov.uk, as HMRC's reporting guidance explains.
Beware of scam messages
HMRC says it never sends tax rebate notifications or asks for personal or payment details by text. If a message claiming to be from HMRC asks for them, don't reply: forward texts to 60599 and emails to phishing@hmrc.gov.uk. HMRC's guidance on suspicious contact (opens GOV.UK).
Related
What else will you need?
- Where to find itFind your UTRYour Unique Taxpayer Reference (UTR) is a 10-digit number HMRC gives you when you register for Self Assessment or set up a limited company.
- Where to find itFind your P60A P60 summarises the pay you received and the tax deducted in a tax year, from 6 April to 5 April.
- Where to find itCheck your NI recordYour National Insurance record shows what you've paid up to the start of the current tax year, any credits you've received, and whether gaps mean some years don't count as qualifying years for the State Pension.
- Where to find itHMRC app and tax accountThe HMRC app and your personal tax account on GOV.UK are where you find most personal tax references.
- Starter checklistStarter checklist (new job)The starter checklist is HMRC's form for a new employee who doesn't have a P45, so the employer can work out the right tax code for the first pay.
Rather we did it?
Countify can handle this for you, for a fixed fee agreed upfront.
Questions
Frequently asked questions.
Can I phone HMRC to get my National Insurance number?
No. HMRC can't give you your National Insurance number over the phone or on webchat. Use the HMRC app or your personal tax account to see it or download a letter showing it.
Is my National Insurance number on my payslip?
Yes. It's printed on payslips and on your P60, and also on letters about tax, pensions or benefits.
I've just moved to the UK. Do I have one?
You may already have one if you've worked or claimed benefits in the UK before. If not, you may need to apply for one.
Is my National Insurance number the same as my UTR?
No. The NI number has letters and numbers and stays with you for life. A UTR is a separate 10-digit number issued when you register for Self Assessment.
Checked against GOV.UK on · Reviewed by Kamran Ishaq FCCA, Founder & CEO, on .
Sources: Find your National Insurance number (opens in a new tab) (HM Revenue & Customs); National Insurance: your National Insurance number (opens in a new tab) (HM Revenue & Customs); Download the HMRC app (opens in a new tab) (HM Revenue & Customs); Personal tax account: sign in or set up (opens in a new tab) (HM Revenue & Customs); Report suspicious HMRC emails, texts and phone calls (opens in a new tab) (HM Revenue & Customs).
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Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0 (opens in a new tab).