Registering with a GP is free, open to everyone in England, and does not require ID, proof of address, or proof of immigration status. It is the first thing you should do for your health after arriving. A GP, or general practitioner, is your local family doctor and your gateway to almost all NHS care. This guide shows you exactly how to register, what to expect, and what your rights are if a surgery turns you away.
Why registering matters
Your GP is your first point of contact for most health needs, from illness and prescriptions to referrals for hospital treatment. Almost all non-emergency NHS care is reached through a GP referral, so without one you are limited to pharmacies, NHS 111 and A&E. Registering also puts you in the NHS system and links you to your NHS number. Do it when you arrive, not when you are ill.
The documents myth
This is the most common misunderstanding among newcomers, so it is worth being clear. The NHS position is that you do not need ID, proof of address or proof of immigration status to register. That means none of the following are required:
- Photo ID or a passport
- Proof of address, such as a utility bill or tenancy agreement
- Proof of immigration status or a visa
- An NHS number
A surgery cannot refuse to register you simply because you cannot provide these. Providing them can speed things up, but their absence is not a barrier. All you generally need to give is your name, date of birth and an address. GP registration and GP appointments are free regardless of your immigration status. Some hospital treatment is chargeable for people who are not ordinarily resident, but that is a separate question from registering with a GP.
If you have no permanent address
You can still register. If you do not have a fixed address, you can register using a temporary address, or the address of the GP surgery itself. This applies whether you are between tenancies, staying with friends, or homeless. Not having somewhere settled to live does not remove your right to a GP.
How to register, step by step
- Find a surgery near you using the GP finder on the NHS website, searching by postcode.
- Check that the surgery covers your area, as some only accept patients within a catchment.
- Complete the registration form, either online in about 15 minutes or on paper at the surgery.
- Submit it and wait for confirmation, usually within about five days.
- Once registered, book appointments by phone, online, or through the NHS App.
You can register everyone in your household at the same surgery, including children. Children are registered by a parent or guardian in the same way, and their care is free.
If a surgery turns you away
A surgery is allowed to refuse you, but only for limited reasons: it is not currently accepting new patients, you live outside its catchment area, or you were previously removed from its list. Lacking documents is not one of them.
If a surgery does refuse to register you, it must write to you within 14 days and explain why. That letter is your evidence if the reason was not a valid one. If you are refused without a good reason, or you cannot find any surgery that will take you, contact your local integrated care board, which has a duty to help you find a GP. Citizens Advice and your local Healthwatch can also help you challenge a refusal.
What a GP can do for you
- Diagnose and treat illnesses and long-term conditions.
- Issue prescriptions and repeat medication.
- Refer you to hospital specialists and NHS services.
- Provide vaccinations, health checks and screening.
- Support mental health and signpost further care.
- Register you for maternity care and link you to a midwife.
A GP practice is a team, not one doctor. Depending on what you need, you may be booked with a practice nurse, a pharmacist, a physiotherapist or a mental health practitioner rather than a doctor. This is normal and is not a downgrade.
After you register
Download the NHS App to book appointments, order repeat prescriptions and see your record. If your surgery has a long wait, remember that a pharmacy can help with many minor conditions without an appointment, and NHS 111 can advise when you are unsure. See how to use the NHS.
If you move house within the same area, tell your surgery. If you move further, register with a new surgery near your new address. Your records follow you electronically, usually within 24 to 48 hours of the new surgery accepting you, and you do not need to tell your old surgery yourself. They are told automatically.
Frequently asked questions
Can I register with a GP without proof of address?
Yes. You do not need proof of address, ID, or immigration status. A surgery cannot refuse you for lacking documents. If you have no fixed address, you can use a temporary address or the surgery address.
Is registering with a GP free?
Yes. Registering and seeing your GP are free, whatever your immigration status. Everyone in England can register.
How long does registration take?
The form takes around 15 minutes, and confirmation usually arrives within about five days, though it can take longer.
What if the surgery says it is full or outside my area?
Those are valid reasons to refuse. Use the GP finder to try another nearby surgery. If no surgery will register you, your local integrated care board has to help you find one.
Can a GP refuse to register me because of my visa?
No. Immigration status is not a valid reason to refuse registration, and you do not have to prove your status. If you are refused, the surgery must write to you within 14 days with its reason.
Can I register my children at the same time?
Yes. A parent or guardian can register children at the same surgery, and their GP care is free.
For the full picture of UK healthcare, see the NHS guide for newcomers.
