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Important Documents for Adult Life

Teen girl holding passport

As you prepare for adulthood and greater independence, it is important to make sure you have access to the documents you may need in everyday life.

These documents help you to prove who you are and may be needed when you:

  • apply for a job
  • open a bank account
  • claim benefits
  • rent accommodation
  • enrol on a course or training programme
  • travel abroad
  • learn to drive

Important documents can be difficult and sometimes expensive to replace, so it is important to keep them safe.

You may find it helpful to:

  • keep documents together in a secure folder or file
  • store them in a safe place at home
  • make copies of important documents
  • take a photo of your documents and keep it securely on your phone
  • let your Personal Adviser know if anything is lost or stolen

If you agree, copies of some important documents may also be held securely on your records.

Need Help?

If you are unsure whether you have the documents you need, or need help replacing something that has been lost, speak to your Social Worker or Personal Adviser.

They can help you understand what documents you need, where to find them and how to apply for replacements if necessary.

Your National Insurance (NI) number is unique to you and is used for work, tax and benefits.

Most young people automatically receive an NI number before they turn 16. However, this may not happen for every young person in care.

Your Social Worker will help make sure you receive your NI number and understand how to keep it safe. Your NI number is important and you will need it when:

  • starting work
  • claiming benefits
  • opening some savings and pension accounts

If you lose your NI number, your Personal Adviser can help you find out how to recover it.

Your National Insurance (NI) number is unique to you and is used for work, tax and benefits.

Most young people automatically receive an NI number before they turn 16. However, this may not happen for every young person in care.

Your Social Worker will help make sure you receive your NI number and understand how to keep it safe. Your NI number is important and you will need it when:

  • starting work
  • claiming benefits
  • opening some savings and pension accounts

If you lose your NI number, your Personal Adviser can help you find out how to recover it.

A passport is one of the most widely accepted forms of identification.

Your Social Worker or Personal Adviser can support you to apply for your first passport. Having a passport can make it easier to:

  • prove your identity
  • open a bank account
  • apply for employment
  • travel

Your passport is an important document, so make sure you keep it somewhere safe.

For information about applying for or renewing a passport, visit: Apply for or renew a passport

The government has published guidance to help care leavers understand how to apply for a British passport and what documents may be needed.

This guidance states:

  • In exceptional circumstances, HM Passport Office may work with an LA to review your situation if you cannot obtain all the usual documents needed for an application.
  • Where to get replacement documents such as replacement birth certificates and other records if documents have been lost.
  • Who you can ask for help, such as a charity, support organisation or local authority, to communicate with HM Passport Office if you are struggling with the process.

Read the guidance: Passports for care leavers

If you're finding the process difficult, speak to your Personal Adviser (PA), who may be able to help you gather documents or access additional support.

A passport is one of the most widely accepted forms of identification.

Your Social Worker or Personal Adviser can support you to apply for your first passport. Having a passport can make it easier to:

  • prove your identity
  • open a bank account
  • apply for employment
  • travel

Your passport is an important document, so make sure you keep it somewhere safe.

For information about applying for or renewing a passport, visit: Apply for or renew a passport

The government has published guidance to help care leavers understand how to apply for a British passport and what documents may be needed.

This guidance states:

  • In exceptional circumstances, HM Passport Office may work with an LA to review your situation if you cannot obtain all the usual documents needed for an application.
  • Where to get replacement documents such as replacement birth certificates and other records if documents have been lost.
  • Who you can ask for help, such as a charity, support organisation or local authority, to communicate with HM Passport Office if you are struggling with the process.

Read the guidance: Passports for care leavers

If you're finding the process difficult, speak to your Personal Adviser (PA), who may be able to help you gather documents or access additional support.

Your birth certificate is an important document that proves your identity.

You may need it when:

  • applying for a passport
  • opening a bank account
  • getting married
  • accessing certain services

If you do not have a copy of your birth certificate, your Social Worker or Personal Adviser can help you apply for one.

For information on obtaining a replacement certificate, visit: https://www.gov.uk/order-copy-birth-death-marriage-certificate

Your birth certificate is an important document that proves your identity.

You may need it when:

  • applying for a passport
  • opening a bank account
  • getting married
  • accessing certain services

If you do not have a copy of your birth certificate, your Social Worker or Personal Adviser can help you apply for one.

For information on obtaining a replacement certificate, visit: https://www.gov.uk/order-copy-birth-death-marriage-certificate

Having a bank account is an important part of managing your money and becoming independent.

Most banks will ask for proof of:

  • identity (such as a passport or driving licence)
  • address (such as a tenancy agreement, utility bill or official letter)

If you are unsure what documents you need, your Personal Adviser can help you prepare and choose an account that meets your needs.

For more information, visit: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/basic-bank-accounts/basic-bank-accounts

Having a bank account is an important part of managing your money and becoming independent.

Most banks will ask for proof of:

  • identity (such as a passport or driving licence)
  • address (such as a tenancy agreement, utility bill or official letter)

If you are unsure what documents you need, your Personal Adviser can help you prepare and choose an account that meets your needs.

For more information, visit: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/basic-bank-accounts/basic-bank-accounts

Even if you are not planning to learn to drive straight away, a provisional driving licence can be useful as a form of photographic identification.

You can apply for a provisional licence from the age of 15 years and 9 months, although you cannot start driving a car until later.

For more information, visit: https://www.gov.uk/apply-first-provisional-driving-licence

Speak to your Personal Adviser if you would like support with the application process.

Even if you are not planning to learn to drive straight away, a provisional driving licence can be useful as a form of photographic identification.

You can apply for a provisional licence from the age of 15 years and 9 months, although you cannot start driving a car until later.

For more information, visit: https://www.gov.uk/apply-first-provisional-driving-licence

Speak to your Personal Adviser if you would like support with the application process.