lelo29uk

Hi!

Long time lurker, very random poster.....
I am in my final countdown to my move and wanted to float out what my plans were moving back to see if anyone could think of anything I had missed! Any and all information would be greatly appreciated. I am 37 years of age and will be going back on the QM2 with my two mutts this October. I have not lived in UK as an adult and only have been back and forth since I was 16 for visits to family. I have a temporary flat arranged for the first month that I am in Edinburgh which will hopefully allow me to start the job/housing process.

My main concern is getting myself setup with all the minutiae of getting settled. I will need a NI number, get on the electoral rolls, bank account initially. From my research I feel like I start with getting an NI number, then getting on electoral rolls and then (hopefully:fingers crossed be able to get a bank account. I assume the main challenge is that I will not have anything that proves my address to do those things. Does anyone have any experience with this or advice as to what order to do things or what sort of paperwork I can request that will help me?

Again all advice is appreciated and if you can think of anything that I have missed that would be welcome as well!

Pulaski

If you lived in the UK upto age 16 you probably already have an NI number.

You can't swap a US drivers license for a British licence, so you will need to look into getting tested and licensed. The road test is tough, and it is far from certain that you will pass the test first time you take it, or the second, so get started early with the process so you have time to take the test several times if necessary, before your US license becomes invalid 12 months after you arrive.

lelo29uk

Sorry I probably should clarify - I lived in England until age 6 then moved about a lot - California, Germany but in between moves I went to school in Wellingborough for 6 months here, 6 months there. Literally all I have for documentation is Birth Certificate, Adoption Certificate and Passport. Would I have been issued a NI number before 16? And if so how would I go about finding that out. My only family is Nan, Aunts, Uncles, etc. Unfortunately I don't have any of that info from parents.

Pulaski

Scrub that (post deleted), NI numbers are not issued until you're almost 16, so you'll need to apply for one.

lelo29uk

Thanks! :-D Truly appreciated!

Pulaski

Not sure if you saw, I changed my post.

lelo29uk

Just did..... so from what I have seen I need to apply when in country. :-)

Pulaski

Are you a US citizen yet? I see you were on a green card as recently as three years ago. By getting US citizenship it will give you the permanent option to return to the US if you want to.

HKG3

With regards to an UK bank account, you can open one overseas before moving back to the UK. HSBC does this kind of service, please see link below -

https://www.us.hsbc.com/1/2/home/per...global-banking

The only disadvantage of having a HSBC account in Scotland is that there are only a few HSBC branches in Scotland.

Editha

It seems to me that you are very well organised. Pulaski's advice about the driving licence is very sound.

Best of luck!

lelo29uk

Thanks everyone it is nice to get validation of your choices. Makes me feel as if I am on the right track....As for the driving license I am going to need MANY lessons before I am brave enough to try for it :-D

BritInParis

Don't forget to also register with your local GP. Your NHS number would have been issued to you at birth but the format has changed so it will no longer be the same number as on your birth certificate. Your local GP practice should be able to find your records from your vital statistics however.

spouse of scouse

36 25 36 are the kind of vital statistics that sprang to mind (showing my age)

scrubbedexpat094

Did someone mention me????

TrishP

Edinburgh, I'm very jealous - it's a beautiful, vibrant city and I'd go back to live there in a heartbeat!