Obtaining National Insurance Numbers

If you are a UK Resident

All you need to do is phone the Department of Works & Pensions (DWP) on 0191 213 5000. You will be asked to answer a few questions.

The DWP will then check your records to see if a child benefit has ever been issued under this person's name; if not, you will be sent a C5400 form to complete.

A National Insurance (NI) number will then be issued within two weeks of either the call being made or the form being received.

If Someone has just entered the UK

You need to book an appointment at the "Job Centre plus" office (this should be local to them and the number can be found in the yellow pages).

You will have a short interview and complete the relevant forms. These forms are then sent to the DWP, who in turn, process the application.

From the time the DWP receive the paperwork to a NI Number being issued should take no more than four weeks.