Registering on Government Gateway

cake4tea

I don't know if I have posted this under the correct category so if you can bear with me.  I have been trying to get registered on the Government Gateway to check for gaps in my NI Record.  My problem is that I do not have a driving licence nor a passport so have no way of getting registered online.  I have been trying to get them on the phone but as of yet no luck.  I can't be the only person in this situation any advice would be appreciated.  

[Deleted User]

Hi,

you are on Techie forum, have asked for you to be moved to more appropriate forum.

molerat

No you are not the only one.  You used to be able to register with other forms of ID but unfortunately you now need the paid for (to the government) ID to register for an account.

Maybe I am wrong

You’ll need your National Insurance number or postcode and 2 of the following:

• a valid UK passport
• a UK photocard driving licence issued by the DVLA (or DVA in Northern Ireland)
• a payslip from the last 3 months or a P60 from your employer for the last tax year
• details of a tax credit claim if you made one
• details from a Self Assessment tax return if you made one
• information held on your credit record if you have one (such as loans, credit cards or mortgages)

squirrelpie

I'm surprised if you have to have a passport or a driving licence to register. That seems a rather draconian rule. It isn't what is said at https://www.gov.uk/personal-tax-account for example. Is the government's page wrong?

molerat

Maybe I am wrong but I thought there were reports of people not being able to get in without the ID's.  Only one way for OP to find out ..........

I suspect the alternatives could cause a problem

• a payslip from the last 3 months or a P60 from your employer for the last tax year
• details of a tax credit claim if you made one
• details from a Self Assessment tax return if you made one

Marcon

molerat said:

Maybe I am wrong but I thought there were reports of people not being able to get in without the ID's.  Only one way for OP to find out ..........

I suspect the alternatives could cause a problem

• a payslip from the last 3 months or a P60 from your employer for the last tax year
• details of a tax credit claim if you made one
• details from a Self Assessment tax return if you made one

You're not wrong. See https://www.accountingweb.co.uk/tech/tech-pulse/verify-identity-fairy-tale-falls-flat-as-hmrc-shuts-out-users

NightStar

The same for me. Expired passport and old non-photo driving licence. Cannot fully register. Was on the phone for 70 minutes today with no answer.

Consumer3

I found exactly the same thing this week for my MIL, her passport has expired and she has never driven. She certainly can’t remember dates of when she took out her credit card.
 Trying to help her see her tax record and understand her pensions but was unable to complete the registration. 

40 min wait to speak to a very helpful lady at HMRC for the question we had, but I know we will have more waiting in phone queues later on when it could have been done online. 

I’ve advised a new passport….

Bimbly

Consumer3 said:

I’ve advised a new passport….

A cunning plan.

I don't really go anywhere these days, but I keep my passport up to date because thirty years ago I was offered an attractive freelance job if I could "fly to America tomorrow".

However, it costs £82.50/£93 (oneline/post) to get a passport - more if you want the fast track service - and some people simply don't have that sort of money lying around. 

p00hsticks

Consumer3 said:

I’ve advised a new passport….

I've done the same for my elderly parents.
Although, as Bimbly says, the upfront cost may be prohibitive for some, over ten years it works out at less than £10 a year, and IMHO will avoid a lot of hassle when needing to prove your ID, now even to vote in elections.   

squirrelpie

p00hsticks said:

prove your ID, now even to vote in elections.   

I think an old person's free bus pass is enough for that though. Or various other ways.