Apply for Care ID

Staff can be invited by Registration Authority managers or agents, or sponsors to use this service to submit their ID documents and have them verified by an NHS Digital ID checker.

Once they have proven their identity, a Care ID will be created for them in Care Identity Management (CIM).

They'll then receive an authenticator, such as a smartcard, authenticator app, or security key. The time it takes for this will depend on local processes in the applicant’s organisation.

1. Create an applicant’s invitation  

A staff member with the role of RA manager, agent or sponsor complete an online form with the applicant’s: 

• name
• email address - NHS.net or another email domain on the Care Identity Service allow list, including Gmail, Yahoo, Hotmail, Outlook and iCloud
• mobile phone number

This generates an email to the applicant inviting them to begin the process of proving their identity.

Files can also be uploaded to send multiple applications at once, to save time.

2. Applicant enters their details online

The applicant provides some personal details, including their: 

• National Insurance number
• date of birth 

The service will use these details to check if they already have a Care ID.

If the applicant’s details are found in the Care Identity Service database, they'll be advised to contact the person that invited them as they do not need to continue to prove their identity through Apply for Care ID.

If their details are not found in the database, the applicant will be sent a link to use our identity verification service. They can access the service using either their phone or computer. They'll need to scan a QR code if they want to change from one device to another.

3. Applicant uploads their ID

The applicant will use the service to take photos of their ID documents and face and submit these for verification. 

4. ID is checked

The service performs an automated check that the photo identity documents are accepted documents and easy to read.

If the application passes the automated check, a central NHS team of ID checkers performs a manual check, to decide whether to approve or reject the application.

5. Care ID is created

A Care ID is immediately created in CIM when the application is approved.  

The RA will issue a smartcard or other authenticator.