What you need to apply

Before you apply online, check what you’ll need below. You can apply using a phone, tablet or computer with a camera or webcam. And, if you don’t have scanned copies of your documents, you can take photos of your proofs during the application process.

Aged 16-21 and applying for yourself? You’ll also need:

• to sign in using your mygovscot myaccount (click register if you don’t have one)
• a recent digital photo showing your head and shoulders
• proof of identity – passport, driving licence, Young Scot card, Biometric Residence Permit or use your Yoti account
• proof of address – such as Council Tax bill or bank statement

Parent, guardian or carer applying on behalf of your child aged under 16? You’ll also need:

• to sign in using your mygovscot myaccount (click register if you don’t have one)
• parent proof of identity – passport, driving licence, Young Scot card, Biometric Residence Permit or use your Yoti account
• parent proof of address – such as Council Tax bill or bank statement
• proof of your child’s identity – full birth certificate (if under 11 only), passport, Biometric Residence Permit or Young Scot card
• proof of your child’s address if they don’t live with you
• proof of relationship (read more below)
• a recent digital image of the child (if aged 11+) showing head and shoulders

Proof of relationship

There are a number of documents you can use to show your relationship with your child:

• Full Birth Certificate (abbreviated certificates cannot be used)
• Adoption Order
• Kinship Care Order
• Compulsory Supervision Order
• Residence Order
• Permanence Order
• Guardianship Order
• Parental Order
• Something that shows you’re the main person looking after your child. This can be a copy of either a letter from your local authority or a legal order.

View a full list of accepted proof of address and photograph guidelines.

If you cannot apply online, there are other ways to apply provided by your local council such as over phone or email, in-person applications or, in some cases, through schools. Please contact your local council for more information.

For applications made through local councils, there are other documents you can use as proof of person if you don’t have a passport, driving licence, Yoti account or birth/adoption certificate. Find out what documents you can use to provide proof on the NEC website.

Parent or carer applying on behalf of your child aged under 16?

For children aged 5 -15 years old, a parent, guardian or carer must apply for a new NEC on their behalf. You will need to provide proof of your and your child’s identity, address and relationship. You will also need to provide a passport style photo if your child is 11 years old or over.

Aged 16-21 and applying for yourself?

You will need to provide proof of your identity and address as part of your application process, as well as a passport style photo – no filters please!