Jerseygirl

Your birth certificate will not show a NI number because it was issued in 1957.

They more or less serve the same purpose. One difference being that you need to give your SS number to everyone and his father...you don't with your NI number.

Angelstation

Would you consider it worth my while in obtaining my NI number in case I need it in the future? I'm guessing the likelihood of me returning to the UK is somewhat remote, but hey.. never say never. I had no idea or long held dream of living in the USA. But one day, it just happened.

Jerseygirl

I don't know...from what I've read on here it's a fairly simple procedure to obtain it if you should ever need it.

Marmalade

Update.

I called the NI number in Britain this morning to see how my application was coming along for a copy of my NI number.

I was told that they are opening mail from March 1st at the moment, and it would take about another month before they would be able to get to my application.

It was explained that at this time of year a lot of kids are applying for University and they are sending off for their NI number, causing a backlog.

I mailed my application from the US on March 13th.

Tr1boy

That's really weird as I had mine in a matter of days and Mrs TB had hers from scratch in a couple of weeks.

Sally Redux

Thanks for pointing out they are on the birth certificates, I had never noticed that for my children. Can they just quote that number or do they need to go through an additional process if they want to work in the UK?

Jerseygirl

I don't know but I think they would only need to quote the number. Make sure the DHSS have your current address or a relative's ...on their 16th birthday they will be sent a credit card size card with the number on it. I checked and it's the same one that's on my daughter's birth certificate.

I can't remember whether it was sent directly to our US address because I had the mail redirected for about 5 or 6 years after we moved.

Sally Redux

I looked at a website as my son approached 16, it seemed that you had to be resident in the UK to get a card so I thought he should just do that if and when he returned.

Jerseygirl

In that case it must have been redirected from our old UK address. I can't see why a card is necessary if you know your number...we don't have one.

Sally Redux

I think so, I've only ever been asked for the number, not for someone to physically check the card.

Marmalade

All I can think of is that you applied for yours before all of these future students applied for theirs.

I have requested a copy of my number in the past, and know I have a copy of it somewhere in my house. I moved house a year ago and since then have not been able to find it, so maybe I need a good rummage through my stuff again to find it. Very frustrating!

Marmalade

Guess what came in the mail today? My National Insurance number. Whoever I talked to the other day obviously gave me the wrong information. So, if anyone is waiting for their NI number to be mailed to them, I don't think it will be long before you get it.

Mine's was mailed from the US on the 13th March, and I received it today, the 1st of May. Approximately a 1 1/2 months

aasmith1957

applied for my national insurance card around 5 weeks ago,couldnt find it even though i kept all that type of stuff while we were in australia (18 years). will give them a ring tomorrow to see how my form is progressing.

Marmalade

If it is anything like my experience, you will get the card sooner than they tell you

Tr1boy

I should point out that I didn't get a card, just a letter saying what my NI # was.