How can a UK citizen with no passport or National Insurance letter get ID verification?

Question

This is really frustrating. I'm a university student, 21. I lost my Driving license, and the DVLA are taking MONTHS to get it back to me( literally like 3-4 months).

I haven't had my NI letter since i was 18, as we moved house. Never really planned for this scenario. Basically now i've lost my license:

* I have no Driving license.
* I have no National insurance letter (Only a slight picture including the number lmao.)
* I have no passport (Broke up-bringing, never even been abroad.)

The real kicker? I can't apply for a new national insurance letter because i need my ID to sign up for a tax account. I can't submit a letter to the HRMC to open one because guess what? I need ID verification! I can't apply for a passport, because i need further verification.

The UK's verification process for UK citizens (Born) has to be the most cringiest fucking thing. " Here's a NI letter randomly when you're 16. if you lose it, and don't have a passport, you're fucked. " I'm stuck with a birth certificate that requires secondary proof, of which to get, requires a birth certificate... with secondary proof.

Anyone have a loophole escape? 2nd year of university and i really REALLY need a job ASAP.

* Slight edit: Thanks to the people below telling me to ring a specific HMRC number, i got my NI letter re-sent without need of any " verification "! They were really relaxed and honest, so thats a big step forward. Now it's just back to flooding DVLA with calls. Thanks so much haha. alot of stress relieved!

Patricia Garcia · Accepted Answer

For your NI issue, write to HMRC and then make a formal complaint then involve your MP.

For your licence, involve your MP and it may mean things get dislodged more quickly.

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As secondary proof,  can a paralegal draft a notarised letter attesting to the identity and name and location etc. and have a couple of individuals close to OP sign?

Just a suggestion - one of the lawyers or paralegals here might be able to answer. I’ve used this as valid proof of residency before.

It may set you back 50-100 Pounds but may be a way out of this loop.

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As far as I’m aware driving licence’s aren’t a valid form of right to work in the uk

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What is blocking you from getting a passport? AFAIK, the other evidence you require is your parents passport number if valid, or their passport at the time of your birth, or their birth certificate.

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Call HMRC they'll sort you out with a new letter with your National insurance number.

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You should be able to get a [Citizen Card](https://www.citizencard.com/) with the help of a GP or an official within your school at Uni as laid out [here](https://www.citizencard.com/requirements-for-a-first-uk-id-card) under "Referee with access to official records - confirms your details against their official records".

This route may take a little longer, but is viable for someone without a passport, drivers licence or a birth certificate.

You should be able to use that alongside bank statements etc. to prove who you are.

Edit: Just to add, if you're really struggling for money check out your Uni's hardship fund. You have a unique circumstance in that you are actively trying to support yourself but have encountered issues with employment because of a few issues that were unforeseen.

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HMRC can post you a letter out if you phone them or use we chat. Will just need to answer some security questions (might need to give a previous address if it's not been updated).

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You can apply for an NI letter without a tax account, it's the paper application form CA5403, (see [gov.uk/government/publications/national-insurance-get-your-national-insurance-number-in-writing-ca5403](https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/national-insurance-get-your-national-insurance-number-in-writing-ca5403)).

If you haven't already, try that postal form. I just ran through it myself with minimal details, and it asked for *one* of: birth certificate, passport, full or provisional driving licence. So you might be in luck.

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Ring hmrc, can use other ways to pass security without NI number and they will issue a letter with it on

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Do you have student finance? Your NI number is on your Loan portal too.

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You can get a letter from HMRC confirming your national insurance number without a tax account. It takes longer though, couple of weeks to arrive. I recently had to do this and only needed to send a scan of my birth certificate

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You can get a new drivers license sent within a week or so if you've lost yours via the gov website: [https://www.gov.uk/apply-online-to-replace-a-driving-licence](https://www.gov.uk/apply-online-to-replace-a-driving-licence)

I had a problem getting a new driver license when I lost it as they had my name spelled wrong on the license so couldn't be found on the system. If you have a picture or have ever photocopied this license (I did for work purposes) then carefully check the spelling (including any middle names/initials) as you may be able to order online via that link above without having to wait 3-4 months for the department to answer your issues.

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You could pay for a copy of your birth certificate which can be used as a part of your right to work.

Sadly the only two forms of ID that can prove a right to work for a UK resident is a passport or a birth certificate!

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Probably not going to help but when you do get hold of your NI, memorise it.

I memorised mine as part of a push from my parents when I was 16 and I have never forgotten a digit, other than the odd letter, your right its nowhere to be found when you need it!

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With the DVLA it’s worth writing to your local MP. Obviously not an overnight solution, but a lot of people have had luck with their local official getting the DVLA to deal with individual cases such as yours. The DVLA is a government department, your MP has contacts. Cases such as yours should also not be happening, when the failings of a government system are actually causing personal hardship.

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Things I’ve found useful in dealing with HMRC/DWP/other official organisations:-

Keep a notebook where you record  calls made to whatever department your dealing with.  Record date, time, reason for call. 
Get the name of the person dealing with you. 
Always start the call with asking for their help, really politely.  Even if you’re completely enraged & want to scream. 
If you don’t understand the process, ask for further explanation - make notes.  Read it back to the person you’re talking to, to make sure you’ve got all the details. 
If they’re unhelpful, ask to speak to their supervisor or line manager.

If you do need to contact your MP to get help, include as much factual information as you can, including times & dates & names of people you’ve already spoken to.

Hope that none of this seems patronising/ stating the obvious. Good luck, hope you get it sorted soon.

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You need your NI number, you don't need a letter, i lost my card at 16 but had the number memorised. As long as it matches what's on record you are all good.

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If you register for a tax account you have several
Options to verify your ID, you should be able to access your NI letter on your account.
You can use that and your Birth Certificate if you have it as Proof of Right to work

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Birth certificate. £10 from the registry office and you’ll have to see if the inland revenue can send you a document (off the top of my head nothing is required when you ask for an OCA41)

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You can sign up to the .gov portal and download your National Insurance letter. I had to do it recently to prove I have the right to work in the U.K., even though I was born here.

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I just got my kids NI number. She doesn't have any ID either. Ring them up and they will send a new letter out

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The DVLA are on strike at the minute, which explains why they’re taking their time getting back to you. I have to renew mine every year because I had brain surgery, still haven’t had anything despite having sent my stuff months ago.

https://www.standard.co.uk/news/uk/dvla-swansea-government-b965525.html

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Can also use a birth certificate but you really can’t complain. It’s your own responsibility to keep your documents in check.

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How do you not know your NI number? Have you never had a job?

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Birth certificate is valid for proof of right to work.

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Hi, HR here.

Do you have a birth certificate? All you need is that and a wage slip or HMRC document showing your national insurance number.

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Your local MP will have an hour or so a week where they have "open-office" hours. You could book an appointment with them and see what their team suggest

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We need our national insurance letter?  
What for? I just remember mine. Haven’t got a clue where the letter is.

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I usually use my birth certificate for jobs, with a few letters with my name on it like bank statements which always seems to be fine with every employer I’ve had. Also if you’ve had any payslips from an old job that should have your national insurance number on it.

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I'm 37 and have never needed an NI letter when starting a job. You just have to give your national insurance number. You can get your NI number from several sources. 
0300 200 3500 that's the number to get your national insurance. You just answer a few questions and you're away.

In regard to your licence, the DVLA emailed everyone with licences awhile ago saying lost/renewed licences will take up to 6 months due to covid.

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Try ringing dvla and just tell them you've lost your license and pay £20, I had to send mine off for a fine once and it was never returned to me

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You can work without NI number. In your case you have one you just don't know it, but you can still work.

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NAL but as far as i know national insurance isn't a form of ID as long as you know the number you're good. I'm old enough to be in the old school plastic card crowd but I'll be damned if I've seen that bit of plastic since it arrived when i was 16, had probably 8 or 9 jobs since then and never had a problem with just providing the number

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You can sign up to gov.uk to view your tax info and you can download a letter containing your NI Which is proof to work.

Do you have a passport? Have you had a job before? You need to choose two options to validate yourself I’d recommend using credit check and payslip info - otherwise you’ll have to contact them for assistance

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I bought a replacement drivers licence last month and it came within a week. All done online and cost about £20 I think. Worth looking into.

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Google find my NI number or Lost my ni number. If you chat with them they can send you your ni number through the post in form of a letter.

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You can apply for a citizenship card online which you use as I'd.

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You can apply for a citizenship card online which you use as I'd.

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You can get hold of a copy of your birth certificate from the General Register Office (google it). It’ll cost about a tenner and is proof enough for most official things.

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University. Go to them, have a chat. Perhaps the proof of stidy/adress letter may act as reasonable proof of ""work"".

I presume that given that you probably had to provide proof to them that you are legal, that they can vouch for you.

Obvs NAL. This may not work.

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There is a 1-week fast track passport service I believe. Might be expensive though.

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Birth Certificate?

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If you do know your NI number and just need a letter, you can call the NI office of HMRC and request a letter with it on it for you. Also, ID cards can be ordered for around £18 in the UK as a gap between temporary & permanent ID. I can't remember for the life of me what they're called, but if I remember I'll edit this post.

Do you have a birth certificate or UK bank account? They can provide further supporting docs to help you.

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As a foreigner, I’ve always found the UK system of proofs of identity and proofs of address quite odd. All of that just to avoid having a cheap ID card…

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You need a national insurance letter? Never been asked for that, always just the number.

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Hey, American who just moved to UK here with birth citizenship through my father.  I feel your pain my friend, I’ve applied for my passport and have had to jump through so many hoops.  The secondary verification processes is a joke here.  Oh, you want a passport?  Well you have to have someone here who is: A UK citizen who has know you for a minimum 2 years (good thing I made friends during my previous visits), Who has a CURRENT passport (WTF, why do THEY need a passport if they’re a citizen and have been they’re whole lives), needs to be EMPLOYED in a “valid field” (what the fuck?! What if they’re old and retired, or self employed?! Does that make them less of a citizen?!), and can’t be related to me by blood or law. (What the actual fuck, like if i hadn’t made friends in my times I’d visited before then I couldn’t claim my birthright given to me BY YOUR OWN LAWS).  The UK seriously needs to sort out its citizenship processes.  This has been a nightmare so far, and I practically wasted £250 “verifying” my nationality, which has been complete ignored (basically was a piece of paper I waited 6 months for and all it says is “it is of the opinion of the Home Secretary that I am entitled to nationality by code blah blah blah, but this paper DOES NOT give right of abode or right to work.” So worthless then).  Madness.  I hope you managed to get yourself sorted OP, just know you aren’t alone in the trenches.  If that’s how they treat people who’ve been here their whole lives, it doesn’t bring me much comfort.  I just want to fit in, work, and be just like y’all.  This sucks.

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I understand your pain - my passport expired during covid + I passed my driving test and I’m still waiting on my full driving licence months later. I sent away my provisional license which the DVLA have conveniently lost/destroyed. So now I’ve had to send them my birth certificate which is my only proof of identity I had left.

Shambolic state of affairs.

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DVLA only took about a week to renew my DL. Have you tried contacting them?

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I had to get my full birth certificate cost me £20 because I didn’t have a passport or driving license to prove that I wasn’t an illegal