Need Somewhere to Keep Your National Insurance Number Safe? Our NI Card Solves the Problem

Every UK citizen gets a National Insurance number. It’s used to track your tax and benefit records and makes sure your contributions are recorded properly. You’ll need it when you start a job, apply for benefits, or deal with HMRC. It’s printed on your payslips, shown on your P60, and often asked for during paperwork that involves your identity.

The problem? The government no longer sends out physical NI cards. If you’ve lost yours—or never received one—you’re stuck with a piece of paper or a login to your personal tax account. That’s not always convenient. That’s where our card steps in.

If you’ve ever misplaced your original National Insurance number card or letter, you’re not alone. It happens more often than you’d think. What doesn’t happen often is finding a simple way to keep that number handy again—until now. Our card brings your NI number back into your wallet, where it should’ve been all along.

The HMRC Stopped Sending out Plastic NI Cards—Here’s Why

For years, the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP), and later HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC), used to send out plastic National Insurance numbercards to everyone who reached the age of 16. These cards were printed with your name and NI number and arrived automatically by post. Most people kept them for life—until the system changed.

In 2011, HMRC stopped issuing physical NI cards. The reason was cost. The government decided it was cheaper to send letters instead. So from that point on, anyone receiving their NI number got it printed on paper, usually as part of a letter confirming their number or a notification about their tax records.

It made sense on paper—but not so much in practice. Paper letters get lost. Envelopes go missing during moves. And trying to dig through old files or log into online accounts isn’t always quick, especially if you're in a rush or don’t have internet access.

Why We Think a Plastic Card Is Still the Best Option for Your National Insurance Number

People liked the original NI numbercard for a reason. It was small, durable, and easy to carry. It didn’t get creased or smudged, and it stayed in your wallet for years without needing to be replaced. If you needed to find your National Insurance number, you knew exactly where it was.

Our card brings that simplicity back. You can personalise it with your NI number and name, and we print it on biodegradable plastic that matches the feel and size of the original. It’s not an official replacement—but it fills the gap in a very practical way.

It also looks the part. We’ve followed the layout of the old DWP cards, right down to the colour scheme and typeface. It’s easy to read and instantly recognisable for what it is.

Our NI Plastic Card is Ideal for Workplaces, Life Admin, and General Peace of Mind

Employers often ask for your NI number when you start a new job. If you don’t have it to hand, you’re stuck filling in extra forms or chasing it down online. Our card gives you a quick way to share that number when you need it—with no delays.

It’s also handy during everyday admin. Whether you're applying for a mortgage, opening a bank account, or filling in paperwork for pensions or benefits, having your NI number right in front of you can save time and stress.

Some people even keep our card in a safe place at home as a back-up copy in case they misplace their details again. Others take it with them when travelling in case they need to contact HMRC from abroad. You never know when it might come in handy.

Perfect for Film, TV, and Theatre Props

It's not just for personal use either. Our card is often used in the creative world too. If you’re producing a film or theatre piece set in the UK, especially something that needs to show life in the 80s, 90s, or early 2000s, our card is a great prop. It’s authentic in appearance, realistic in design, and made to reflect the official look of older government cards.

It’s also a neat touch for roleplay, education, and historical re-enactment. Props don’t just fill a gap—they help set a scene. Our card does the job properly.

A Spare NI Card for Everyday Use or Emergencies

Some customers order our card as a spare. Maybe they’ve already got their number written down, but want a version that’s waterproof, durable, and always on hand. Others keep it with their personal ID documents, just in case they need to confirm their number quickly in an official setting.

We’ve even had people tell us they keep our card in their glove box or travel wallet, so it’s there when they need it. You might not need your NI number often—but when you do, it helps to have it with you.

Our card mirrors the classic NI numbercard look. The bold block layout, colour scheme, and font are all based on the design people remember. It includes space for your National Insurance number and your name, just like the original.

The reverse side includes key reminders about when and where to give your NI number—mirroring the text used on the genuine card. There’s also a signature strip for you to sign.

Our card is an unofficial replica. It’s not issued by HMRC or any other government body. It’s simply designed to be a practical way to carry your NI number with you, based on the original cards that were once sent out by post.

Ready to Never Forger Your NI Number Again? Order Your National Insurance Number Card from The Card Project UK

You don’t need to search through old paperwork or dig out forgotten files every time someone asks for your National Insurance number. There’s a simpler way to keep it with you. Our National Insurance Number Card brings back the ease of carrying your number in your wallet—just like it used to be. If you want a card that’s clear, familiar, and built to last, you can order yours today from The Card Project UK.

The Full Story Behind National Insurance Numbers and the Cards That Carried Them

National Insurance numbers have been part of UK working life since the 1940s — but how people received them, and what they were given to keep hold of them, has changed a lot. Before the number existed, workers had stamped contribution cards. When NI numbers were introduced, cardboard cards followed. And in 1984, those were replaced with the plastic version that so many people still remember — simple, sturdy, and made to last.

Our article From Cardboard to Plastic the Story of the National Insurance Card looks at the full history — how the system started, when the cards were introduced, why they were so useful for workers and employers, and what changed when the government stopped issuing them.

So if you’ve ever wondered what happened to the card — or why so many people still want one — go and read the article today and get the full story behind the number you were issued when you were sixteen.