Apply for Care ID

Staff can be invited by Registration Authority managers or agents, or sponsors to use this service to submit their ID documents and have them verified by an NHS Digital ID checker. Once they have proved their identity, a profile will be created for them in Care Identity Management (CIM). They will receive an authenticator, such as a smartcard, authenticator app, or security key. The time it takes for this will depend on local processes in the applicant’s organisation.

1. Create an applicant’s invitation  

Staff with the role of RA manager, agent or sponsor complete an online form with the applicant’s: 

• name
• email address - NHS or other (email domain allow list on CIS for user verification). We also accept Gmail, Yahoo, Hotmail, Outlook and iCloud.
• mobile phone number

This creates an email that is sent to the applicant inviting them to begin the process of proving their identity. Files can also be uploaded to send multiple applications at once, to save time.  

2. Applicant enters their details online

The applicant provides some personal details, including their: 

• national insurance number
• date of birth 

The service will use these details to check if they already have a profile in the CIS database.

If the applicant’s details are found in the CIS database, they will be advised to contact the person that invited them as they do not need to continue to prove their identity through Apply for Care ID.

If their details are not found in the CIS database, the applicant will be sent a link to use our prove your identity service. They can access the service using either phone or desktop and will need to scan a QR code if they wish to change from one device to another.

3. Upload ID

The applicant will use the service to take photos of their ID documents and face and submit these for verification. 

4. ID is checked

Automated checks

The service performs an automated check that the photo identity documents are:  

• accepted documents
• easy to read

Manual checks

If the application passes the automated check, a central NHS digital team of ID checkers, use the evidence provided, to decide whether to approve or reject the application.

5. CIS profile is created

A profile is immediately created in CIM when the application is approved.  

The RA will issue the smartcard or other authenticator.