An NHS number is your unique 10-digit reference across the health service. In England, most newcomers get one automatically the first time they register with a GP. It is free, it stays with you for life, and you do not need to apply for it separately. This guide explains what it is for, how you get one, and how to find it if you do not know it.
What an NHS number is
Your NHS number is a personal 10-digit reference, usually shown in a 3-3-4 format such as 485 777 3456. It links all your NHS records, so hospitals, pharmacies and your GP can identify you correctly. It is not the same as the number on any card, and it does not change if you move, change your name, or leave and return to the UK.
It is not your National Insurance number
Newcomers often mix these up, because both are official numbers issued after you arrive. They are unrelated and used by different parts of the state:
| NHS number | National Insurance number | |
|---|---|---|
| Used for | Health records and NHS care | Tax, work and benefits |
| Format | 10 digits, like 485 777 3456 | Letters and digits, like QQ123456C |
| How you get it | Automatically, when you register with a GP | You apply for it |
| Issued by | The NHS | HMRC and the DWP |
You do not need a National Insurance number to register with a GP, and the registration form does not ask for one. If you need the other one, see our guide to getting a National Insurance number.
How to get one
You do not fill in a separate application. In almost all cases, an NHS number is created for you when you register with a GP surgery for the first time. That is the main route for newcomers, and it is another reason to register early. You can be given urgent or emergency care before you have a number, so it never needs to delay treatment.
There is no card. Nothing arrives in the post that you have to keep safe. The number simply exists in your record once you are registered, which is why many people do not realise they already have one.
How to find your NHS number
You do not need to know your NHS number to use NHS services, but it is useful to have. If you do not know it, there are four ways to find it:
- Use the official Find your NHS number service on the NHS website. You give your full name, date of birth and the postcode of your GP surgery. The service covers England only.
- Open the NHS App or your account on the NHS website, where it is shown in your profile.
- Look at any prescription from your GP.
- Check letters from your GP surgery or a hospital, where it is usually printed near your name and date of birth.
The online service can also be used to find the number of someone else, for example a child or a relative you care for. If none of these work, ring your GP surgery and ask. They can read it to you.
What it is used for
- Identifying you correctly across GP, hospital and pharmacy records.
- Booking appointments and referrals.
- Collecting prescriptions.
- Keeping your medical history joined up as you move between services.
The practical value shows up when you move. If you change GP, change city, or are referred to a hospital that has never seen you before, the number is what pulls your history across so you are not starting from a blank page.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need an NHS number to register with a GP?
No. You can register without one, and the registration process is usually what generates your number in the first place.
Is getting an NHS number free?
Yes. It is free, and there is no separate fee or application.
Does my NHS number ever change?
No. It stays the same for life, even if you move, change your name, or leave and return to the UK.
Can I be treated before I have an NHS number?
Yes. Urgent and emergency care is never delayed because you do not yet have a number.
Is my NHS number the same as my National Insurance number?
No. They are separate. The NHS number is 10 digits and is used for health records. The National Insurance number uses letters and digits and is used for tax, work and benefits.
How do I find my NHS number if I have lost it?
Use the Find your NHS number service on the NHS website with your name, date of birth and GP postcode, check the NHS App, look at a prescription or NHS letter, or ring your GP surgery.
For everything else about UK healthcare, see the NHS guide for newcomers.
