NHS COVID Pass
How to get the NHS COVID Pass and demonstrate your coronavirus (COVID-19) status when travelling abroad and domestically at events and venues in England.
Applies to England
This page applies to England. See information about COVID certificates in Guernsey, Jersey and the Isle of Man.
From 19 November, you can see details of your COVID-19 booster vaccination in your NHS COVID Pass.
See ‘If you’ve had a COVID-19 booster vaccination’ below.
NHS COVID Pass: what it is
The NHS COVID Pass lets you share your coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccination records or test COVID-19 status in a secure way.
It allows you to show others the details of your COVID-19 vaccine (or vaccines) when travelling abroad to some countries or territories.
From Monday 19 July, you may be asked to demonstrate your COVID-19 status at places that use the service in England as a condition of entry to a venue or event.
What you can use it for
International travel
You can show the vaccination records contained within your NHS COVID Pass as proof of your COVID-19 status when travelling abroad.
In addition to your NHS COVID Pass, you will need to follow additional rules when travelling abroad.
Read an overview of all the things you need to do to travel abroad from England
You should check that the name on your passport matches how it is displayed by NHS COVID Pass at least 2 weeks before you travel. If the names are different, contact your GP practice to have your details updated.
The government is working with the devolved administrations to ensure everyone in the UK is able to show their COVID-19 status.
If you have not been fully vaccinated, you should continue to follow the entry requirements of the country you are travelling to, such as proof of a negative COVID-19 test on arrival. You should carefully research the requirements of your destination country before travelling.
Further details on entry requirements can be found on the GOV.UK foreign travel advice pages and on the websites of your destination country.
See advice about travelling abroad from England during the pandemic
Domestic use in England
The government has recently announced that businesses in England can use the NHS COVID Pass.
Some events and venues may choose to ask for the NHS COVID Pass. The government will work with organisations where people are likely to be in close proximity to others outside their household to encourage the use of this.
Use of the NHS COVID Pass is voluntary for individual organisations. However, we encourage the use of the NHS COVID Pass in facilities or events where people are likely to be in close proximity to a large number of people from other households for a sustained period of time.
This is likely to include settings that have the following characteristics:
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crowded indoor settings such as nightclubs and music venues
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large unstructured outdoor events such as business events and festivals
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very large structured events such as business events, music and spectator sport events
This means that you may need to show your NHS COVID Pass at places that use this service.
Further guidance on how organisations can use the NHS COVID Pass.
Who can get an NHS COVID Pass in England
If you’re aged 18 or over, you can get an NHS COVID Pass for domestic venues and events.
If you’re aged 16 or over, you can get an NHS COVID Pass for travel abroad but you should follow the entry requirements of the country you are travelling to.
If you’re in the UK armed forces, visit ‘My health care hub’ on the Defence Gateway (login required) to find out how to get your NHS COVID Pass.
For travel abroad
You can obtain your NHS COVID Pass after receiving either:
- 2 doses of the Moderna, AstraZeneca or Pfizer vaccine
- one dose of the Janssen vaccine
- proof of natural immunity shown by a positive PCR test result for COVID-19, lasting for 180 days after the date of the positive test and following completion of the self-isolation period
You must have been vaccinated in England, Wales or Scotland. If you’ve been vaccinated in Scotland, you must be both:
- resident in England
- registered with a GP in England
You can usually obtain your NHS COVID Pass within 24 hours of having your vaccination. However, it can take up to 5 days for your records to be updated.
For domestic use
For domestic purposes, those 18 and over can obtain an NHS COVID Pass if one of the following applies:
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2 weeks after completing a full course of vaccination, whether that requires 2 doses or one dose (that is, 2 doses of the Moderna, AstraZeneca or Pfizer vaccine, or 1 dose of the Janssen vaccine) (according to the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency authorised schedule).
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with evidence of a negative polymerase chain reaction (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
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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
You must have been vaccinated in England, Wales or Scotland. If you’ve been vaccinated in Scotland, you must be both:
- resident in England
- registered with a GP in England
Exemptions for domestic use
If you have received a trial vaccine as part of a formally approved COVID-19 vaccine trial in the UK, you will be able to prove your status through the NHS COVID Pass or with a letter confirming your participation in the trial from your trial site.
See Residents‘Residents in England who have taken part in COVID-19 vaccine clinical trialstrials’ below.
If you’ve had a COVID-19 booster vaccination
The NHS COVID Pass for travel does not currently include COVID-19 booster vaccinations. The government is reviewing the implications and requirements of boosters for international travel certification. It is looking at whether and how booster vaccinations could be included in the NHS COVID Pass for travel.
You do not need a COVID-19 booster vaccination to get an NHS COVID Pass for domestic use in England.
If you’re unable to get vaccinated for medical reasons
There are a small number of exemptions for individuals who have a medical reason which means they should not be vaccinated, and in some cases should not test either. Medical exemption status cannot be based on testing alone.
You can apply for proof of evidence that you have a medical reason why you should not be vaccinated and/or tested. If you are eligible for proof of medical exemption, or a carer obtains this on your behalf, you will be able to use the domestic NHS COVID Pass wherever you need to prove your COVID-19 status.
Currently, businesses and event organisers in England that choose to use the NHS COVID Pass as a condition of entry can decide whether or not to allow in people who self-declare that they are unable to be vaccinated or tested.
Businesses can continue to accept people who self-declare that they are medically exempt until mid December 2021, from which point, have to use the NHS COVID Pass to gain entry in the same way that people who are fully vaccinated do. Your NHS COVID Pass will not show that you have a medical exemption.
You can find out more information including how to apply for the NHS COVID Pass to prove that you’re unable to be vaccinated and/or get tested.
How to access the NHS COVID Pass
Access the NHS COVID Pass through the NHS App
You can access your NHS COVID Pass through the free NHS App on a mobile device such as a smartphone or tablet. Proof of your COVID-19 status will be shown within the NHS App.
You need to be registered with a GP in England to use the NHS App. If you’re not registered with a GP, you can still access the NHS COVID Pass via the NHS website (NHS.UK) or via 119 (select the ‘NHS COVID Pass service’) to request a letter.
We recommend that you register with the app before booking international travel. For access via the NHS App you do not need to contact your GP.
The NHS App is not the same as the NHS COVID-19 app.
In the NHS App, your COVID-19 status includes a 2D barcode. The expiry date does not apply to your vaccination status. Any expiry date refers only to the barcode and will update automatically each time you go into the NHS App.
If you obtain your NHS COVID Pass through the NHS App or Safari web browser using an Apple iPhone, then you will be able to store your COVID Pass into Apple Wallet. You can already show your COVID-19 status at events and venues in England directly from your Apple Wallet even if your device is offline.
From 23 September, you will also be able to store your COVID Pass for international travel into Apple Wallet, even if your device is offline. You will see the ‘Add to Apple Wallet’ button on your screen within the NHS App. If you store both your international and domestic NHS COVID Passes, you will see 2 separate cards stored in your Apple Wallet.
If you store an offline version of your NHS COVID Pass into your Apple Wallet it will only be valid until the expiry date shown on your COVID Pass. The expiry date will not refresh automatically. This means you will need to store an updated NHS COVID Pass to your Apple Wallet before you next plan to use it if your original COVID Pass is due to expire.
Access the NHS COVID Pass through the NHS website
You can view your COVID-19 status online and download or print it as a PDF document. To access the service, you’ll need to register for an NHS login if you do not have one already. NHS login registrations may take longer than usual when there are high numbers of requests.
Access the NHS COVID Pass via the NHS website
Your COVID-19 status includes a 2D barcode. The expiry date does not apply to your vaccination status. Any expiry date refers only to the barcode and will update automatically. If you download and print a copy, the expiry date will eventually show as expired and will not automatically refresh.
Using the NHS COVID Pass for international travel
If you’ve received a full course of a vaccine requiring 2 doses, you will see 2 barcodes within the NHS App: one barcode per vaccine.
If you print a PDF of your COVID Pass status, your printed copy will show 2 barcodes. The printed copy is valid until its expiry date.
A full course of vaccine requiring one dose will be displayed as a single barcode.
Your NHS COVID Pass can now be scanned to check and validate your COVID-19 vaccination status in venues in over 40 countries, including those in the EU.
If you downloaded your NHS COVID Pass as a PDF or added it to your Apple Wallet before 1 November 2021, you’ll need to download, reprint or add an updated version before you travel so that your NHS COVID Pass is valid.
Request an NHS COVID Pass letter to be posted to you
Request a letter only if you:
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have been fully vaccinated by the NHS in England
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are planning to travel in the next 4 weeks to a country that requires evidence of COVID-19 vaccination
You can obtain an NHS COVID Pass at age 16 plus but do not need one to access venues or events in England if you are under 18 years of age.
You can request an NHS COVID Pass letter:
- via the NHS website
- by calling 119 (select the ‘NHS COVID Pass service’) if you do not have access to a smartphone, computer or tablet
If you’re overseas, call +44 151 905 0119 to access the NHS COVID Pass service. You’ll be charged according to your carrier’s rates.
We expect the letter to take up to 5 working days to reach you.
The letter will be sent to the address registered with your GP. If you have recently moved house, make sure you’ve given your new address to your GP practice before requesting a letter.
The COVID-19 post-vaccination letter was rebranded from 5 July. It now displays the title ‘NHS COVID Pass’ and the logos of all 4 nations instead of just the NHS logo.
If you got a COVID-19 post-vaccination letter before 5 July, this is still valid. You do not need to apply for a new version.
If you intend to use the letter when travelling abroad, other countries will treat the old version of the letter in the same way as they treat the new one.
You should confirm the entry requirements of your intended destination country using the GOV.UK foreign travel advice pages, as requirements for testing and vaccination can vary from country to country.
GPs cannot provide letters showing your COVID-19 status.
If you’ve had a COVID-19 booster vaccination
You’ll start to see your booster vaccination in the NHS COVID Pass from 19 November. You’ll be able to demonstrate that you’ve received a booster vaccination using the NHS COVID Pass via the NHS App and the NHS.UK website.
For international travel
If you’ve received a booster vaccination it will show in your NHS COVID Pass within 5 days. Your COVID Pass for travel will show a 2D barcode for your full course of vaccinations plus your booster vaccination.
Your vaccinations will show in reverse order, with the most recent first. This is also the case if you download a PDF of your NHS COVID Pass for travel, or store it within the Apple Wallet.
If you’re about to travel, you should download an updated PDF version of your NHS COVID Pass, or store an updated version in your Apple Wallet.
You’ll also see your detailed booster vaccination information in the ‘View COVID-19 records’ section of the NHS COVID Pass within the NHS App and online service.
Some countries now require travellers to demonstrate that they have received 2 doses of a COVID-19 approved vaccination within 180 days, or a booster dose no less than 14 days before entering the country. You should check the COVID-19 status requirements of the country you intend to visit before planning your travel.
For domestic use in England
You can see your booster vaccination information under ‘View COVID-19 records’ in the domestic COVID Pass.
However, you do not need a COVID-19 booster vaccination to get an NHS COVID Pass for domestic use in England.
Find out more about the coronavirus (COVID-19) booster vaccine
What the NHS COVID Pass letter tells you: translated versions and alternative formats
The NHS COVID Pass letter you receive will be in English.
You can get information about what the letter tells you in other languages and alternative formats.
However, you’ll still need to show the original English letter to demonstrate your COVID status, for example when travelling abroad. You do not need your letter in a language to match the country you’re intending to travel to.
Translated versions
Read translated versions about what the NHS COVID Pass letter tells you.
Easy read
Read an easy-read guide about what the NHS COVID Pass letter tells you.
Braille and large print
You can get a Braille or large print version of the NHS COVID Pass letter via the NHS website or by calling 119 (select the ‘NHS COVID Pass service’).
Audio format
You can get an audio version of the NHS COVID Pass letter via the NHS website or by calling 119. Your letter and the audio file on a CD will be sent directly to you. It should arrive within 7 working days.
British Sign Language (BSL)
Watch a video about the NHS COVID Pass letter in BSL, not including personal details.
Watch a video about the NHS COVID Pass letter in BSL
If you cannot get an NHS COVID Pass letter
If the 119 service cannot provide you with a letter, there may be some information that is either missing or incorrect. The service will write to inform you if this is the case.
If you cannot get an NHS COVID Pass letter: translated versions and alternative formats
The letter you receive in the post will be in English. You can check your vaccination record and follow instructions in various translations of the letter, not including your personal information, in different languages. These are to help people who read those languages.
You can also access the information in a range of alternative formats.
Easy read
Read an easy-read guide about what to do if you cannot get an NHS COVID Pass letter.
Braille and large print
To get this letter in Braille or large print, please call 119 (select the ‘NHS COVID Pass service’) or order the letter online via the NHS website.
British Sign Language (BSL)
Watch a video about this letter in BSL.
Watch a video about what to do if you cannot get an NHS COVID Pass letter in BSL
Protecting your data
Your COVID-19 status is held securely within the NHS App. It can only be accessed via the NHS login service.
The NHS COVID Pass only shows your COVID-19 vaccination status in the form of a 2D barcode, which allows you to view your vaccination record.
The digital version of the NHS COVID Pass service can be accessed via the NHS App or NHS.UK.
When you access your NHS COVID Pass via the NHS App, or directly via the NHS website, you will need to use your NHS login. NHS login has advanced security features to protect you and minimise any risk of fraud. Your vaccination status displays your vaccination record only and no other personal health records or data.
All the information displayed is derived from the National Immunisation Management System (NIMS) database operated by NHS England. The NHS COVID Pass service does not capture any new information. All it does is enable secure access to your immunisation records within NIMS and use a small subset of that information (NHS number, name and COVID-19 vaccination history) to enable the creation of a 2D barcode that can later be shown when travelling abroad. The service has been developed in strict compliance with GDPR and privacy regulations.
Your NHS COVID Pass letter that you request via 119 has been produced and printed with a range of embedded security features to help prevent fraud. It includes a barcode which provides a unique reference that can be used to verify your individual COVID vaccination record.
Residents in England who have taken part in COVID-19 vaccine clinical trials
Residents in England that have taken part, or are taking part, in COVID-19 vaccine clinical trials will have received a letter from their clinical trial site.
The letter ensures that anyone vaccinated as part of a COVID-19 vaccine clinical trial can prove they were in a clinical trial and therefore should be recognised as fully vaccinated.
If you did not receive this letter, contact your clinical trial site.
This commitment was made by the Deputy Chief Medical Officer in an open letter on 11 June 2021.
We are working with the devolved administrations to ensure a consistent UK approach. We are also working to ensure that all those who participated in COVID-19 vaccine trials can access their vaccine records via the NHS App or NHS.UK
Domestic use in England
If you took part in a clinical trial within England you should also be able to use the NHS App or NHS.UK to obtain an NHS COVID Pass for domestic use in England.
The letter and NHS COVID Pass can be used when demonstrating your COVID-19 status in England.
International travel
If you took part in a clinical trial within England which was ‘unblinded’ (that is, you were informed of the vaccine used), then you should be able to use the NHS App or NHS.UK to obtain an NHS COVID Pass for international travel from England. Before you travel abroad, check the entry rules for the country you want to go to.
If you took part in a clinical trial within England which was ‘blinded’ (that is, you were not informed of the vaccine used), it is recommended that you consider other options for demonstrating your COVID-19 status when travelling abroad, such as additional testing.
All UK residents who have taken part or are taking part in clinical trials will not need to quarantine when returning to the UK from abroad, unless they’ve been in a country on the red list in the 10 days before they arrive.
Check the rules on entering England from abroad.
Novavax vaccine
If you took part in clinical trials and received a full dose of the Novavax vaccine, you can now use the NHS COVID Pass to demonstrate your COVID-19 status. If you experience issues with obtaining your NHS COVID Pass, contact your clinical trial site.
Before travelling abroad, we recommend that you check the entry requirements of your intended destination country, including which vaccines are recognised by them.
Children
Children under 18 do not have to demonstrate their COVID-19 status for entry to domestic events or venues in England.
Children aged 16 or over can get an NHS COVID Pass for travel but should follow the entry requirements of the country they are travelling to. Further details on entry requirements can be found on the GOV.UK foreign travel advice pages and on the websites of your destination country.
Last updated
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Added information about COVID-19 booster vaccinations: The NHS COVID Pass for travel does not currently include COVID-19 booster vaccinations. You do not need a COVID-19 booster vaccination to get an NHS COVID Pass for domestic use in England. Also updated to reflect the UK linking with the EU Gateway. Your NHS COVID Pass can be scanned to check and validate your COVID-19 vaccination status in venues in over 40 countries, including those in the EU.
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Added: 'If you're in the UK armed forces, visit 'My health care hub' on the Defence Gateway (login required) to find out how to get your NHS COVID Pass.'
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Updated to reflect that from Monday 19 July, you may be asked to demonstrate your COVID-19 status as a condition of entry to a venue or event in England. Added the conditions of obtaining an NHS COVID Pass for use at domestic events in England.
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Updated to reflect that the NHS COVID Pass letter has new branding, and that a full course of approved vaccinations now includes the single-dose Janssen vaccine.
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Updated to reflect that from 21 June 2021, the NHS service to demonstrate your COVID-19 vaccination status is now called the NHS COVID Pass. Also added that people taking part in event trials as part of the Events Research Programme will also be requested to use the NHS COVID Pass.
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Added video in British Sign Language about what to do if you cannot get a post-vaccination letter.
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Added information about what to do if you cannot get a post-vaccination status letter.
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Added link to easy-read version of the COVID-19 post-vaccination confirmation letter.
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Updated to add a link to a video about the post-vaccination confimation letter in BSL.
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Updated to reflect that you must wait at least 5 working days after you’ve completed your course of the vaccine before asking for a letter confirming your vaccination status to be posted to you. The letter can take up to 5 working days to reach you. It will be sent automatically to the address registered with your GP.
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Updated to reflect that if you're aged 13 to 15, you'll need to contact your GP surgery to request access to GP online services before you can use the NHS App.
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Updated to reflect that you should register with the NHS App before booking your international travel.
Update history
2023-12-04 09:30
Updated guidance as the service has now closed.
2023-10-25 11:06
Updated information on the XBB vaccine under COVID-19 booster vaccinations.
2023-03-08 09:30
Updated information on previous medical exemptions – users can no longer view a record of these within the NHS COVID Pass.
2022-09-01 09:30
Updated guidance.
2022-08-25 13:20
Updated guidance.
2022-07-22 13:00
From 21 July 2022, children aged 5 to 11 in England and the Isle of Man can get a digital NHS COVID Pass for international travel.
2022-06-23 19:04
Updated to reflect that children aged 5 to 11 in England and Wales can also get a NHS COVID Pass letter for travel if they have evidence of a positive COVID-19 NHS PCR test within the last 180 days.
2022-05-12 12:55
Updated to reflect that the domestic NHS COVID Pass is no longer available and the medical exemptions service is no longer accepting new applications.
2022-05-04 17:38
Updated to tell users that from 12 May 2022 the domestic NHS COVID Pass will no longer be available and new medical exemption applications will not be accepted from this point.
2022-04-28 15:47
NHS COVID Pass letters for international travel are now available for children aged 5 to 11 living in England, Wales and Isle of Man.
2022-04-01 08:00
Updated to reflect that the domestic NHS COVID Pass letter is no longer available. Updated to no longer encourage high-risk events and venues to check COVID status as a condition of entry. Merged with guidance on medical exemptions and guidance for organisations wanting to use the NHS COVID Pass.
2022-03-18 04:00
Removed information about the passenger locator form, as people entering the UK no longer need to complete it.
2022-03-17 16:00
Children aged 5 and above can now have details of eligible COVID-19 vaccinations they have received overseas added to their NHS Record.
2022-03-02 14:46
Updated to provide information on how to contact the Vaccination Data Resolution Service.
2022-02-24 07:00
Updated to reflect new government guidance on self isolation policy if you test positive for COVID-19.
2022-02-18 07:00
From 18 February, residents in England who have received one or more of the following vaccines can have them added to their NHS Record to generate an NHS COVID Pass: Sinopharm Beijing/BIBP, SinoVac-CoronaVac, Covishield (Institute of India) or Covaxin (Bharat Biotech).
2022-02-01 16:39
Added details about the information that will be needed to prove the identity of children aged 12 and over to get a digital NHS COVID Pass for international travel (available from 3 February 2022).
2022-01-27 00:15
Updated to reflect it is no longer a legal requirement for venues or events to check the COVID-19 status of attendees as a condition of entry.
2022-01-25 14:43
From 3 February, children aged 12 and over will be able to get a digital NHS COVID Pass for international travel.
2022-01-24 10:26
Updated video about the NHS COVID Pass letter for travel abroad in British Sign Language (BSL).
2022-01-19 16:50
Updated ‘What to do if you get a positive test result’ section to reflect change in self-isolation rules – people who test positive can stop self-isolating on day 6 if they have negative rapid lateral flow test results on days 5 and 6. Added a reference to the change in rules on 27 January, when it will no longer be mandatory for venues to check the COVID-19 status of attendees as a condition of entry.
2022-01-18 19:09
2022-01-11 16:29
Updated the section ‘What to do if you receive a positive test result’ to reflect that from 11 January, asymptomatic people in England with a positive lateral flow test are no longer advised to take a confirmatory PCR test to confirm they have COVID-19.
2022-01-07 17:30
Updated the section ‘What the NHS COVID Pass letter tells you: translated versions and alternative formats’ to reflect that there are 2 NHS COVID Pass letters (one for travel, one for domestic use). Updated the section ‘How to use the NHS COVID Pass when travelling abroad’ to add information about the passenger locator form.
2022-01-04 16:59
Updated the section on how to use the NHS COVID Pass when travelling abroad to reflect that proof of prior infection cannot be used as evidence of your COVID-19 status when entering England.
2021-12-24 12:16
Guidance updated to reflect changes to the self-isolation advice for people who have received a positive COVID-19 test result.
2021-12-14 12:27
Added call-out to reflect the NHS COVID Pass digital service will be offline from 10pm on Tuesday 14 December due to planned maintenance.
2021-12-14 09:17
Updated to correct guidance in the ‘Residents in England who have taken part in COVID-19 vaccine clinical trials’ section.
2021-12-10 10:00
Updated to reflect that you can order an NHS COVID Pass letter to show proof of your booster vaccination for international travel.
2021-12-09 09:00
Added the section ‘Residents in England who have received COVID-19 vaccinations overseas’.
2021-12-06 20:00
Updated information for residents in England who have taken part in COVID-19 vaccine clinical trials.
2021-12-06 17:00
Added information about how to store your NHS COVID Pass in Google Pay Wallet.
2021-11-26 16:51
Updated to reflect the latest information on how to obtain your NHS COVID Pass in digital or letter format via the NHS.UK website.
2021-11-19 09:00
From 19 November, you can see details of your COVID-19 booster vaccination in your NHS COVID Pass.
2021-11-02 17:11
Added information about COVID-19 booster vaccinations: The NHS COVID Pass for travel does not currently include COVID-19 booster vaccinations. You do not need a COVID-19 booster vaccination to get an NHS COVID Pass for domestic use in England. Also updated to reflect the UK linking with the EU Gateway. Your NHS COVID Pass can be scanned to check and validate your COVID-19 vaccination status in venues in over 40 countries, including those in the EU.
2021-10-01 11:28
Added information on using the NHS COVID Pass if you're unable to get vaccinated and/or tested for medical reasons.
2021-09-23 18:00
From 23 September, you will be able to store your NHS COVID Pass for international travel in Apple Wallet, even if your device is offline.