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Who can apply

Children who are looked after by local authorities do not automatically get a National Insurance number.

If you鈥檙e a children鈥檚 social worker, you鈥檒l need to write a letter to HMRC to apply for a National Insurance number on a child鈥檚 behalf.

You must write a separate letter for each child鈥檚 application for a National Insurance number.

How to apply

Write to HMRC after a child is 15 years and 9 months old using your local authority鈥檚 official letter-headed paper.

Explain in your letter that you鈥檙e applying for a National Insurance number for a looked after child and give your work phone number and postal address.

You must also include:

• a statement that you鈥檙e a social worker applying for a National Insurance number for a looked after child
• the child鈥檚 full name
• any previous names the child has used
• the child鈥檚 date of birth
• the date the child went into care
• the child鈥檚 current residential address

If possible, the letter should also include:

• any previous addresses (such as their parent鈥檚 old address or the child鈥檚 last address before they were taken into care)
• a photocopy of any of the following:
  • the child鈥檚 birth certificate
  • their care order
  • the ID page of the child鈥檚 passport

If the child is an unaccompanied minor and supported by the Home Office, you must include photocopies of either:

• the child鈥檚 Home Office documents
• both sides of a residence permit

Post the letter and photocopies of supporting documents to:

After you鈥檝e applied

HMRC will usually send a letter to the child confirming their National Insurance number within 7 weeks.

If we need more information, we鈥檒l get in touch with the social worker using the contact details in their application letter.

If you need an update on an application you鈥檝e sent, phone the HMRC Juvenile Team:

Telephone: 03000 555 716
Monday to Thursday: 8:30am to 5pm (closed bank holidays)
Friday: 8:30am to 4:30pm
Find out about call charges