Updates
Do you really need ID to register with a GP?
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By Penrose Health
It is one of the most common things people get wrong about the NHS, so let us clear it up. To register with an NHS GP, you do not need ID, proof of address, an NHS number, or any particular immigration status. None of it.
Joining a Penrose practice takes about five minutes, and you can do it online. You can also register with many of our practices even if you live a little outside our usual area.
We meet people who did not know this all the time. Students who have just moved. People new to the UK. Long-term residents who never quite got round to switching after a house move. If that is you, there is nothing to put off.
Being registered matters more than people think. It is how you get appointments, repeat prescriptions, vaccinations, screening invitations, and a named GP who knows your history. Without it, you end up relying on A&E and walk-in services for things a GP could handle more easily.
Common questions
Do I need proof of address to register? No. It can help us find your nearest practice, but you can register without it.
Can I register without an NHS number? Yes. You will be given one if you do not already have it.
Can I register if I am not a British citizen? Yes. Anyone can register with an NHS GP, whatever their immigration status.
Related: Find a practice.