What Is My NHS Number – Quick Guide to Find Yours in the UK

Your NHS number is a unique 10‑digit identifier used to match you to your health records across the UK. In England, Wales and the Isle of Man it is called the NHS number; in Scotland it is the CHI (Community Health Index) number; and in Northern Ireland it is the Health and Care (H&C) number. This guide explains what your NHS number is, how to find it – whether you are in England, Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland – and what to do if you have no GP or are looking for a child’s number.

Knowing your NHS number is not required for most NHS services, but it can speed up appointments, prescription collection, and online access to your records. The number stays with you for life and is typically created at birth or when you first register with a GP.

The format is straightforward, the quickest ways to retrieve it vary by region, and special situations such as having no GP or needing to find a child’s identifier are all covered in detail below.

What Is My NHS Number?

• Your NHS number is a 10‑digit number (e.g., 485 777 3456) and does not change throughout your life.
• You do not need to know your NHS number to access NHS services, but it speeds up processes.
• The easiest way to find your NHS number is online using the NHS website or NHS App (requires NHS login).
• In Scotland, the equivalent is the CHI number – same format, different name.
• If you cannot find your number online, check any letter from your GP, hospital, or pharmacy.
• Children receive their own NHS number at birth or when first registered with a GP.

NHS Number at a Glance

How Do I Find My NHS Number?

Online via the NHS Website (England only)

The official NHS service for England lets you find your number by providing your full name, date of birth, and the postcode of the GP surgery where you are registered. You do not need to know your NHS number to use it, and the result is sent by text, email, or letter. For more details on the wider process, see our article on NHS number research and guidance.

On an NHS Letter

Your NHS number (or CHI number in Scotland) is printed on most NHS correspondence – appointment letters, prescriptions, test results, and hospital discharge summaries. Look near your name and address; it is usually labelled clearly.

Through the NHS App

Once you have set up an NHS login and downloaded the app, your NHS number appears in the profile or account section. The app works for anyone registered with a GP in England.

By Asking Your GP Practice

Your GP surgery can provide your NHS number over the phone or in writing. This works in all UK nations, but note that in Scotland the practice will give you your CHI number, and in Northern Ireland it will be the Health and Care number.

How Do I Find My NHS Number in Scotland, Wales, or Northern Ireland?

Scotland – CHI Number

Scotland uses the Community Health Index (CHI) number – a 10‑digit identifier identical in format to the NHS number. You can find it on any NHS letter, by asking your GP, or through the NHS Inform website.

Wales

Wales uses the same NHS number system as England. You can find it online via the NHS Wales website, on letters, or by contacting your GP practice.

Northern Ireland – Health and Care Number

In Northern Ireland the equivalent is the Health and Care (H&C) number. Check medical correspondence, contact your GP, or use the NI Direct service.

How Do I Find My Child’s NHS Number?

Children receive their own NHS number (or equivalent) at birth or when first registered with a GP. If your child is registered with a GP in England, use the online NHS finder service. In Scotland, look for the CHI number on letters; in Wales and Northern Ireland, check letters or contact the GP.

If your child does not yet have a GP, registering them with a practice will create an NHS number if one does not already exist. NHS England guidance states that patients who have never had an NHS number should be encouraged to register with a GP practice, which will result in a number being created.

How Can I Find My NHS Number if I Don’t Have a GP?

If you have never registered with a GP in the UK, you will not yet have an NHS number. The standard route is to register with a GP practice, which will assign you a new number. Doctors of the World notes that people in England, Scotland, and Wales are generally eligible to register with a GP and receive primary care without charge, and that registration is the way to obtain a number.

If you have previously been registered but no longer have a GP, your NHS number still exists. You can try the NHS online finder if you remember the postcode of your previous GP surgery. Alternatively, any GP practice can look up your number if you provide your full name, date of birth, and last known address.

How Do I Apply for or Register for an NHS Number?

There is no separate application process for an NHS number. The number is automatically created when you are born or when you first register with a GP in the UK. For a new baby, the number is sent to the parents shortly after birth registration. For someone moving to the UK, registering with a GP triggers the creation of the number.

How Your NHS Number Is Assigned Over Time

1. Birth registration – A new NHS number is automatically created for all babies born in the UK and sent to the parents.
2. First GP registration – If you move to the UK or register for the first time, a new NHS number is issued.
3. Transfer between regions – Moving between England, Wales, Scotland, or Northern Ireland keeps your existing number (or CHI number).

Certainty vs. Uncertainty When Finding Your NHS Number

Why Your NHS Number Matters

The NHS number (or CHI number in Scotland) is used to uniquely identify your health records across the UK healthcare system. It helps clinicians access your medical history, ensure correct treatment, and link data across hospitals, GPs, and pharmacies. While not mandatory for every interaction, having it handy can speed up appointments, prescription collection, and online services. For further context, see our article on NHS number research and guidance.

Sources and Official Guidance

“Your NHS number is a 10 digit number, like 485 777 3456. You do not need to know your NHS number to use NHS services, but it can be useful to have it.”

NHS UK

“Your CHI (Community Health Index) number is a unique 10‑digit identifier used in Scotland for health and social care.”

NHS Inform Scotland

For more official guidance, visit the NHS find your NHS number page, NHS Inform Scotland CHI number, NI Direct Health and Social Care number, and NHS Wales find your NHS number. Additional details on how the number is created can be found from NHS England and CLOSER. The role of the identifier in record matching rather than entitlement is explained by Doctors of the World.

What to Do After Finding Your NHS Number

Once you have your number, save it securely – for example, in a password manager or notes app. You can use it to register for the NHS App for full online access to your records. Keep it handy when calling your GP or hospital for faster check‑in. If you cannot find it, contact your GP practice – they can provide it over the phone or in writing. For more details on the wider process, see our article on NHS number research and guidance.

Frequently Asked Questions