GOV.UK Verify overview

GOV.UK Verify is a secure way to prove who you are online.

It makes it safe, quick and easy to access government services like filing your tax or checking the information on your driving licence.

When you use GOV.UK Verify, you do not need to prove your identity in person or wait for something to arrive in the post.

How GOV.UK Verify works.

Who can use GOV.UK Verify

You need to have a UK address to use GOV.UK Verify. You do not have to be a UK citizen.

How long it takes to verify your identity

It normally takes between 5 and 15 minutes to verify your identity the first time you use GOV.UK Verify. For some people, it may take longer. Any time after that, it should only take a couple of minutes to sign in.

Companies that can verify your identity

When you use GOV.UK Verify to access a government service, you choose from a list of identity providers (also called ‘certified companies’) that the government has approved to verify your identity.

These identity providers are:

From 23 March 2020, you can create a new identity account with Digidentity or Post Office. If you’ve already created an identity account with Barclays, Experian or SecureIdentity, you can still use it to sign in to government services until 24 March 2021.

Information you need to provide

The company you choose to verify your identity will ask you for some personal details. They’ll check those details against records held by mobile phone providers, credit agencies, HM Passport Office or the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency ( DVLA ).

The company can then confirm your identity to the government service you’re using, for example the service you use to sign in and file your Self Assessment tax return if you’re submitting your tax return to HM Revenue and Customs ( HMRC ).

These checks will not affect your credit score.

How it’s safe

Using GOV.UK Verify is safe because:

information is not stored in one place

there’s no unnecessary sharing of information

the government department does not know which identity provider you’ve chosen

all the identity providers have to meet government and international standards for security and data protection

Government services you can use with GOV.UK Verify

You can use GOV.UK Verify for:

Benefits

Apply for Universal Credit with the Department for Work and Pensions ( DWP )

Business

Check or update your company car tax with HM Revenue and Customs ( HMRC )

) Update your rural payments details with the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs ( Defra )

Driving and transport

Employing people

Money and tax

Working, jobs and pensions

Other services using GOV.UK Verify

Some departments and agencies use GOV.UK Verify to check the identities of the people they work with, or people in certain professions. These services are not available to the public:

Claim additional payments for teaching (Department for Education)

Sign in to view your Total Reward Statement (NHS Business Services Authority)

Supplier Cyber Protection (Ministry of Defence)

Verify your identity to apply to become a registered social worker in England (Social Work England)

How to sign up to GOV.UK Verify

To use GOV.UK Verify, you need to:

Start using one of the government services that uses GOV.UK Verify. Verify your identity with one of the identity providers available.

After you’ve set up an identity account with an identity provider, you can use it with any government service that uses GOV.UK Verify.

You cannot create a GOV.UK Verify account outside this process.

How to get help signing in

All identity providers offer user support 7 days a week (except bank holidays). They’re open:

Monday to Friday, 8am to 6pm (UK time)

Saturday, 9am to 4pm (UK time)

Sunday, 9am to 1pm (UK time)

Barclays

Telephone: 0333 202 7479 (English) or 0333 202 7450 (Welsh)

Digidentity

Email: helpdesk@digidentity.co.uk

Experian

Email: identityservicehelp@experian.com

Telephone: 0344 481 8192

Post Office

Email: myprofilehelpdesk@postoffice.co.uk

SecureIdentity

Email: help@secureidentity.co.uk

Telephone: 0330 100 0103

GOV.UK Verify user support

Use the GOV.UK Verify user support form to get help and give feedback on GOV.UK Verify. The support team aims to respond to questions in 5 working days.

How to connect a service to GOV.UK Verify

If you’re a government service, find out how to connect your service to GOV.UK Verify.

Who works on GOV.UK Verify

GOV.UK Verify engages with public and private sector organisations through the Open Identity Exchange (OIX).

GOV.UK Verify is being built by the Government Digital Service (GDS), working with government departments and the Privacy and Consumer Advisory Group.

Your feedback helps improve the service.