serial number on uk national insurance letter

In the Republic of South Africa every citizen must apply for an Identity Document from the age of 16 years.

4.10 European Economic Area/SwitzerlandĮxplanation of identity number in a South African identity document during apartheid.

In countries where there is no established nationwide number, authorities need to create their own number for each person, though there is a risk of mismatching people. Authorities use databases and they need a unique identifier so that data actually refer to the searched person. Although some countries are required to collect Taxpayer Identification Number (TIN) information for overseas payment procedures, some countries, like the US, are not required to collect other nations' TIN if other requirements are met, such as date of birth. However, due to function creep, the number has become used for other purposes to the point where it is almost essential to have one to, among other things, open a bank account, obtain a credit card, or drive a car. For example, the United States developed its Social Security number (SSN) system as a means of organizing disbursing of Social Security benefits. Many countries issued such numbers for a singular purpose, but over time, they become a de facto national identification number. Non-citizens may be issued such numbers when they enter the country, or when granted a temporary or permanent residence permit. The ways in which such a system is implemented vary among countries, but in most cases citizens are issued an identification number upon reaching legal age, or when they are born. Number to represent one's identity as a numerical codeĪ national identification number, national identity number, or national insurance number is used by the governments of many countries as a means of tracking their citizens, permanent residents, and temporary residents for the purposes of work, taxation, government benefits, health care, and other governmentally-related functions.

Serial number on uk national insurance letter