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Get your COVID Pass on the NHS App, Web or by phone

NHS COVID Pass - 5 ways to get one

Here are the five ways that you can get an NHS COVID pass:

  • [1] By being vaccinated: two weeks after completing a full course of vaccination, whether that requires two doses or one dose - after two doses of the Moderna, AstraZeneca or Pfizer vaccines, or after one dose of the Janssen vaccine. You can get vaccinated by:

  • [2] By reporting a negative COVID test: with evidence of a negative PCR or rapid lateral flow test taken within 48 hours of entry to a venue, with both at-home and on-site (where available) being accepted - a lateral flow test taken at home will need to be reported into the public reporting system - click here to visit the website

  • [3] By catching COVID: with proof of natural immunity shown by a positive PCR test result for COVID-19, lasting for 180 days from the date of the positive test, and following completion of the self-isolation period, remember to register your test result online, you'll need:

    • your 10-digit order ID (see your home test order confirmation email)

    • your 11-character test kit barcode. Check this barcode is the same on your plastic tube, biohazard bag, and return box

    • the 13-character Royal Mail barcode on the prepaid return label. Enter numbers and letters only and not the # hashtag symbol

  • [4] By taking part in a trial of COVID vaccine: There is also an exemption for people who have received a trial vaccine as part of a formally-approved COVID-19 vaccine trial in the UK. These people will be able to prove their status through the NHS COVID Pass or with a letter confirming their participation in the trial. All trial participants have received confirmatory letters.

  • [5] By being medically exempt: Individuals who have a medical reason which means they cannot be vaccinated or tested may be asked to self-declare this medical exemption.

  • People receiving end of life care where vaccination is not in the person’s best interests,

  • people with learning disabilities or autistic individuals, or people with a combination of impairments where vaccination cannot be provided through reasonable adjustments,

  • a person with severe allergies to all currently available vaccines,

  • those who have had an adverse reaction to the first dose (for example, myocarditis),

  • Other medical conditions could also allow you to get a medical exemption,

  • Short-term exemptions will also be available for those with short-term medical conditions and as an option that some pregnant women may choose to take. This link shows you how to apply for an exemption

NHS COVID PAss - 5 waysto get one

How to print out your COVID Pass

For important events, or if you don't use a smartphone, you can keep a paper or electronic copy of your COVID Pass in the following ways:

  1. Call 119 and ask for a paper copy to be posted to you

  2. Register on the NHS App on your smartphone and;

    • Download a .PDF copy of your COVID Pass onto your phone​

    • Use the App to email yourself a .PDF of your COVID Pass

    • Print the .PDF copy of your COVID Pass

  3. Register on the NHS App on your PC, and print out your COVID Pass

  4. On your PC from https://covid-status.service.nhsx.nhs.uk/ without downloading an App 

A video guide on printing out your COVID Pass from the NHS App is below.

COVID Pass - NHS Login.jpg

Get your COVID Pass on the NHS App

  • ​Your NHS COVID Pass is now viewable in the NHS App, 18 million people in England now use the NHS App.

  • Please do not contact your GP surgery if some vaccine information is missing, instead call the national helpline on 119

  • Time for NHS Digital to process your registration may be longer in times of high demand

  • We recommend you download and print .PDF versions of your pass from the NHS App, in case of technical problems when you need to use it

  • We suggest you download and register on the NHS App to get your COVID Passport well before you need it

  • You can register on the NHS App to get a COVID Pass for use in England without needing a photo-ID

What you need to get your NHS App on SmartPhone or Computer

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To use the NHS App you will need:

  1. To have received your first and second COVID vaccinations

  2. To be over 16 years old.

  3. A mobile phone, this is because every time you log into the NHS App you will be sent an SMS text message to the mobile number you have registered with the NHS. This happens even if you use a computer to access the NHS App. So you will need your own mobile phone, or one you can always borrow, to use the NHS App.

  4. To use the COVID Vaccine Pass you may need a SmartPhone. We have a list of value smart phones compatible with the NHS App here [or print  a paper copy from the App before travelling]

  5. You will need about 30 minutes time to register, and you will need to gather some  information first

  6. To register on the NHS App and get an NHS Login, it helps if you have your NHS Number, passport or driving licence handy to prove your identity [see below on how to find your NHS Number]

  7. It also helps if you are currently registered with a GP in England

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On this page we will walk you through these steps, one at time.

  1. Step 1 - Download the NHS App

  2. Step 2 - Register on the NHS App [including how to find your NHS number]

  3. Step 3 - Log into and practice using the NHS App

  4. Step 4 - Troubleshooting guide for the NHS App

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You might want to print out this page to have next to you while you go through the steps. 

STEP 1 - Download the NHS App

You can download the NHS App in the following ways:

  1. Work out what kind of smartphone you have, if you are not sure, look at the back of the phone. If there is an Apple symbol, it's a iPhone, if there isn't, it's most probably an Android phone. 

  2. You can also use the NHS App on a Personal Computer, however, you will probably need to show your Vaccine Pass on a SmartPhone, or  on  paper

  3. Click one of the buttons below to download the NHS App. 

  4. Not available on the GOV.UK website

iPhone.jpg
What you need to get your NHS App on SmartPhone or Web​
Step 1 - download the NHS App

Time Saver - How to find out what your NHS number is if you don't know it

Your NHS number is a 10 digit number, like 485 777 3456.

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The NHS use your NHS number to uniquely identify you, and link up your Medical Record across different parts of the NHS, linking your record from your GP surgery through to your hospital, 111 and ambulance services. 

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Knowing your NHS Number can speed up your registration on the NHS App. Your NHS Number is not the same as your National Insurance Number.  You do not need to know your NHS number to use NHS services, but it can be useful to have it.

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You can find your NHS Number o any letter you receive from the NHS, near the top. It is also printed on your prescription green slip. 

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What if I can't find my NHS Number? You can use this NHS online service to be sent it. 
This service is for anyone living in England who has forgotten or does not know their NHS number.  You can use this service for someone else.

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Before you start
We will ask for your name, date of birth and postcode. You will be sent a text, email or letter with your NHS number to you. If you are using this service for someone else, enter their information, then they will be sent their NHS number.

STEP 2 - How to register on the NHS App to get your NHS COVID Pass

Below are video guides on:

  • The NHS Covid Pass - using one for venues in England

  • Using NHS Covid Pass to travel abroad

  • How to register on the NHS App

  • How to print a Covid Pass from the NHS App

Below is a recap on how to register: 

  • When you open the app you will be asked to login, or create an account.

  • If it’s your first time using the app click on ‘create account’.

  • The next screen will ask if you have an NHS Login (if you do you can click ‘yes’ and enter your email and password here).

  • If it is your first time using the app click on ‘no – I need to set one up’

  • To set up a login enter your email address and choose a password.

  • Next check your email as you will receive a message with a link to click on (if you can’t find the email check your junk or spam folder in case it’s in there).

  • On the app you will be asked to enter your mobile number in the box (this will be the mobile number that you registered your device with).

  • You will then be sent a code via text message to this mobile number. The app will have taken you to the next page where you can enter this code.

  • The app may ask you to prove who you are. Click ‘continue’.

  • You will be asked to provide photo ID.

  • The app will take you through how to do this, including opening the camera on your phone/tablet for you. You will need your driving licence or passport to do the first part of this.

  • You will then be asked for personal details such as name, date of birth and postcode.

  • When you have put in each of these click on ‘submit information’.

  • You may have to wait for a couple of hours while all your information is submitted and checked.

  • You will then be able to use the app.

Step 2 - how to register on the NHS App

STEP 3 - Log on to the NHS App to view your  NHS COVID Pass

You will probably want to get all your travel partners confidently using the NHS App COVID Passport before travelling. So make sure they all download and practice using the NHS App Vaccine Passport , well before you travel.


1. To login for the first time, open the app from your phone or tablet and click on ‘login or create account’
2. It will ask you if you have an NHS login – choose ‘yes’ and then click on ‘continue’ (you may need to scroll down the page to do this)
3. Enter you email address and password, then click ‘continue’
4. You will receive a text to your mobile phone number’ – add this into the box
5. You will then be taken through some screens asking you to confirm you agree to the terms and conditions etc.
6. Finally you will arrive at a screen which asks what you’d like to do e.g. book an appointment, order a repeat prescription. Follow the instructions through as they appear on the screen (remember to scroll down if you can’t see a ‘continue’ button).

Step 3 - log onto the NHS App to view your COVID Pass

Answers to common questions about the NHS COVID Pass

Some commonly asked questions about the NHS COVID Vaccine Passport.

  • Q - I don't recognise the names of my vaccinations

  • A - The certificate gives the commercial names for the vaccines;

    • ​Oxford–AstraZeneca - this is also known  as Vaxzevria, or Covishield

    • Pfizer–BioNTech is also known as Comirnaty

  • Q - Why is there an expiry date on my vaccine passport?​

  • A - This date is the expiry date for the QR code. It is there in case your print the QR code out. 

  • Q - I tried scanning my QR code at home, and I can't scan it

  • A - Quite a few people have said this, we are not aware of any updates as to why this is happening

  • Q - I got my vaccines at a GP run centre, and one or both are missing​

  • A -  You will need to contact your GP to ask for  your missing vaccine to be added, please allow a few days before the vaccinations show up on your GP record. The best way to raise this with your GP is by using GP Online Consultation

  • Q - I got my vaccines at a Mass Vaccination centre, and one is missing

  • A - All we can suggest is that you will need to speak to the vaccination centre management to get added, by calling 119

  • Q - I got one or more of my vaccines abroad, and they are not shown in the COVID Pass

  • A - You can call 119 to arrange an appointment for them to try and fix this, or book online https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/coronavirus-vaccination/tell-nhs-about-coronavirus-vaccinations-abroad/

Answers to common questions

STEP 4 - Troubleshooting problems using the NHS App

If you have problems with the NHS App, or NHS Login account creation, please check the links below:

  • The NHS App does not work with my phone - we have checked out some cheap phone deals for you here

  • I can't see the same details in my GP Record as I can with Patient Access, AirMid, or another App - NHS Digital are going to fix this in the next few weeks

  • I can't see my immunisations record, NHS Digital are going to fix this

  • Problems with NHS Login - please click this link to view a troubleshooting guide from NHS Digital

    • Types of problems covered include:​

      • Uploading photo I.D. or video ​

      • Unsupported video format

      • User is not registered with a GP at the time of verification

      • Browser error when recording short videos on Android devices

      • Unable to complete I.D. checks on Internet Explorer 11

  • Problems installing or using the NHS App? - please click this link to view a troubleshooting guide

    • Types of problems covered include:​

      • Device compatibility

    • There is a lot more support on the NHS Digital webiste about the NHS App on this link

      • Getting started with the NHS App

      • Setting up your NHS login

      • Logging in to the NHS App

      • Prove who you are to get full access

      • Managing your account

      • Booking appointments

      • Repeat prescriptions

      • Nominating a pharmacy

      • Organ donation

      • Linked profiles

      • Third party services

      • Online consultations

      • Personal health records

      • Messaging

      • Security and privacy

      • Technical issues with the NHS App

      • Hospital and other appointments

      • Health records

      • Choose your data sharing preferences

      • Abbreviations commonly found in medical records

      • NHS App release note

Troubleshooting problems using  the NHS App
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