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National Insurance Record

Providing trusted identity records that enable people to work, pay tax and access entitlements.

Department

• Office for Standards in Education, Children’s Services and Skills (Ofsted)
Independently inspects and reports on the quality of education, safeguarding and children's services.

• Department for Education (DfE)
Sets the legislative, policy and accountability framework within which inspections operate.

Intent

To provide an individual with a National Insurance number (NINO), enabling them to work and pay tax in the UK, build entitlement to certain state benefits and the State Pension, and be correctly identified across tax and social security services. 

Interaction

An individual applies for, or is allocated, a National Insurance number. DWP checks their identity and eligibility in line with legal requirements, generates a unique NINO, and creates or updates their National Insurance record. The number is then issued to the individual, allowing them to work legally, have tax and National Insurance contributions recorded correctly, and access services and benefits where a NINO is required. The NINO is shared securely with HMRC to ensure records are consistent across tax and National Insurance systems.

Responsibilities

  • Assessing NINO applications for adults, young people, and individuals new to the UK 

  • Verifying identity, residency, and eligibility in line with legislation and policy 

  • Generating and allocating unique National Insurance numbers 

  • Ensuring records are accurate, complete, and up to date 

  • Protecting sensitive personal data and ensuring each individual has a single, accurate record 

  • Working with HMRC and other departments to maintain aligned records 

Collaboration

Organisation / Body 

Role or Linked Process

HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) 

Tax and National Insurance administration 

Home Office

Right to work checks and immigration status (where relevant). 

Local authorities

Access to certain services and support 

  NHS

National Insurance Numbers may occasionally support identity verification alongside other identifiers