Genealogy Chat

Every now and again, I see a post from someone asking how they can use a national insurance number etc. My question is - how do you find someones national insurance number in the first place??!!!! Similarly, how would you get someones NHS number?? ta Liz

I should advise NOT going down that route. Identity theft etc. Ken

LOL - not intending to go down the route at all!!! Was thinking the same, and thought all of those numbers are confidential anyway!!! I will change my question then as I don't want to lead anyone down the path of nicking an identity (!) - is it possible to access these NHS / NI numbers even if you haven't met the person?? If yes, thats awful!!!!!

Some years ago I needed my fathers NI number. This was after he died and I had no record of it. I got in touch with the DHSS and they passed it on to me. I can't remember whether I had to provide ID, I suppose I must have done, but this was several years ago. It may not be so easy now.

When my husband was going through Settlement following divorce with his ex we were living together, His solicitor insisted that I gave all my personal details to his ex wife's solicitor, including my NI number, Tax number and other info. I was told in no uncertain terms that if I did not give it then his settlement would not go through. As she ( the ex ) was making everyone into a nervous wreck including me, I gave them all the details. Ever since I have regreted this and wondered just what she could find out about my private life using this info as her solicitor gave her all the details even medical information which she went and told everyone about !! Milly.

Dipsy I think you may have misunderstood recent posts - these were where people already know the NI number of someone they are looking for. The NI office will not TELL you someone's NI number if you do not know it already, but they can access their own files and find out what it is and where the person is. They will then forward a letter on your behalf - they will not tell you where the person is, nor their NI number. OC

Just as an aside, National Insurance Numbers are the nearest thing we have in this country to a TIN or Tax Identification Number that most countries abroad use. If you have a PEP or an ISA then you would have had to quote your NI No to your fund manager. It is held on their database and quoted on all returns made to HMRC. They in turn use it mainly to check that you haven't broken the subscription rules by opening multiple ISAs with different fund managers.

if you are directly related i.e child or spouse - you can apply for it

Stephanie I didnt know that - thankyou for the information. OC

I'm glad I asked the question!! Thank you for your replies. Stephanie - can you only apply for the number after the person has died - or can any living close relative apply?? ta