NHS login lets you access a variety of NHS digital health and care websites and the NHS app. The first time you set up your NHS login, you will need to prove who you are. There are three levels at which you can verify your identity (low, medium and high), the level you choose will determine what you can see online..
How to set up your NHS login
NHS login lets you access a variety of NHS digital health and care websites and the NHS app. For the first step in setting up your NHS login to a low level you will need to go to:
- enter your email address
- create a password
- agree to share your NHS login information.
You will receive an email containing a link to confirm your email address. Next, you will be asked to enter your mobile phone number. A six-digit security code will be sent by text message to your mobile phone. You will be asked to enter this code and press continue.
You now have an NHS login with a verified email address and phone number. This is low level proof of who you are. With this, you can do simple tasks like book a COVID-19 test.
Using personalised NHS medium or higher level services
To use more personalised services through your NHS login you might be asked to prove who you are to a medium level or a high level. This will depend on the website or app you want to use and the type of information you want to access.
Medium level services
This will allow you to contact your GP surgery or receive notifications through the app.
For medium level services you will be asked to enter your:
- NHS number (or name if you don't know your NHS number)
- date of birth
- and the postcode of your home address as registered with your GP surgery.
This information is then checked to see if there is a match in the NHS records. If a match is found, your NHS login will then be verified to a medium level.
High level services
You must have high level proof of who you are to gain access to health records or personal information. To do this, you have 4 options:
1. Use a fast-track ID check
If you have already had your ID checked to access GP online services, the setup of your NHS login can be fast-tracked. This will only work if you still use the mobile number you gave your GP surgery. This means you do not need to have your ID re-checked and the process is much quicker.
2. Submit photo ID and a face scan
You will be asked to submit a photo of your ID and then take an automated scan of your face. Instructions will be given on how to do this using the camera on your device. The scan will then be used to match your face with your photo ID.
The accepted types of photo ID are:
- passport
- UK driving licence (full or provisional)
- UK residence card or biometric residence permit
- European driving licence (full)
- European national identity card
During the scan the screen will flash and change colour. If flashing lights or colours make you feel unwell, you can record a video instead.
3. Submit photo ID and a video
Instead of using the face scan you can record a short video of your face instead. Before you record your video, you will be shown 4 randomly generated numbers. You will be asked to tell us what the 4 numbers are.
To do this you can:
- say the numbers
- sign the numbers using British Sign Language
- write the numbers down and show them
Your identity will then be carefully checked and can take up to 24 hours to be verified. This can be longer at busy times. You will be emailed to let you know if the ID check has been successful.
4. Use registration details from your GP surgery’s online services
When you sign up to use your GP surgery’s online services, you will be given three registration details.
The registration details are:
- a Linkage Key (which could be called a Passphrase)
- an ODS Code (which could be called an Organisation Code or Surgery ID)
- an Account ID
If you use this information to prove who you are, it is automatically checked with the GP surgery’s system, along with your name and date of birth. During this process, your NHS number and health information is matched to your NHS login.
To use this option, you should select ‘How to prove who you are without sending a photo of your ID’ at the bottom of the page that tells you how to prove who you are.
If you have not already been verified to medium level, you will also be asked to enter your date of birth and NHS number. If you do not know your NHS number, you can enter your name and the postcode of your home address as registered with your GP surgery.
If you have trouble setting up your NHS login visit the NHS login Help Centre.
Support with using a smartphone
If you need help with using a smartphone and downloading an app, Digital Unite has a number of informative guides which will take you through the process step-by-step.
If you have an iPhone, you’ll find the iPhone guide here.
If you use an android phone, you'll find the right guide here.
Last updated February 2023