Published: 9 September 2025
On 3 February 2025, HMRC withdrew the National Insurance number (NINO) Verification Request (NVR) service. At present, there is no confirmed date for its return. This is a significant change for payroll teams operating within Real Time Information (RTI) reporting.
For the official notice, see: HMRC PAYE Manual – PAYE55030.
Background: What was the NVR facility?
Introduced in April 2012, the NVR allowed employers within RTI to confirm or obtain a National Insurance number for new hires. By submitting an electronic request, HMRC would match employee details and either verify the NINO provided or issue one if it did not exist.
The information transmitted typically included:
- Family name
- First name and initials
- Date of birth
- Current gender marker
- Home address
This process helped businesses reduce errors in payroll submissions and ensured accurate employee records.
How could requests be sent?
Employers had to submit a Full Payment Submission (FPS) before sending an NVR. Afterwards, they could file using either:
- The EDI channel
- The internet route, through payroll software or HMRC’s Basic PAYE Tools
One file could contain anything from a single worker to 100 employee records, making it flexible for companies of different sizes.
Was it compulsory?
No — using the NVR was never a legal requirement. Many employers used it as a safeguard to avoid incorrect NI data, but others relied on employees to supply documentation such as a P60, payslip, or HMRC letter.
Impact of the withdrawal
With the service no longer available, employers must rely on manual checks when bringing new staff onboard. This means:
- Asking employees to provide official HMRC paperwork
- Guiding workers without a NINO to apply directly through HMRC’s online service
- Keeping internal payroll systems up to date to avoid mismatches during RTI submissions
For SMEs, this could add administrative steps during hiring, especially where workers are new to the UK and do not yet have a National Insurance number.
Practical steps for payroll teams
To stay compliant and reduce errors, finance and HR teams should:
- Update onboarding procedures to include NINO verification
- Train staff on what evidence is acceptable (e.g. NI letters, P60s, HMRC correspondence)
- Monitor RTI submissions closely to spot discrepancies early
- Document internal policies so that employees know what proof they must provide
Why this matters
The NVR service may not have been mandatory, but it was widely used as a convenient way to validate employee details. Without it, payroll teams will need to strengthen internal processes and pay closer attention to onboarding checks.
Further guidance
You can read HMRC’s full manual entry here:
👉 PAYE55030 – Employer returns: RTI submissions: NVR
✅ Key takeaway: The withdrawal of the NVR service marks a shift in how employers verify National Insurance numbers under RTI. Until HMRC reintroduces a digital solution, businesses should ensure their onboarding processes are watertight to avoid payroll reporting issues.