Important Identification Documents for Care Leavers
Find out about the help to get important documents you might need to get as you leave care.
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Important Documents
Access to ID Documents for Care Leavers
If you do not have any formal type of photo ID, then the Leaving Care Team will pay for you to get a passport and a copy of your birth certificate. If you are unable to apply for a passport, the Leaving Care Team can support you to apply for a provisional licence as an alternative form of photo ID or a citizenship card instead. This is important as you will need a photo ID to claim Universal Credits. If your passport expires, the Leaving Care Team will pay for a renewal up until your 25th birthday.
National Insurance Number, Passport and Driving Licence
Your Social Worker will help you to apply for your National Insurance Number as soon as you are old enough. You should have this before your 16th birthday. Sutton will help you to ensure you have photographic identification, which you will need to access services. We will support you with either your passport or provisional driving license.
Birth Certificate and British Citizenship
The Leaving Care Team Office has facilities to securely store your birth certificate if you'd like us to keep it safe for you. If you don't have one we can support you to get a birth certificate.
If you don't have citizenship in the UK you can speak to your Social Worker or Personal Adviser about what support you can get to apply for Naturalisation. This is a long and complicated process and you will usually need to speak to an immigration solicitor.
Want to discuss these and other documents with the Leaving Care Team
It's important you speak to your Social Worker as soon as you find out you might need a new document or piece of identification. You can also email the Leaving Care Team or call 020 8770 6600 if you have any other questions.
Email the Leaving Care Team