How to register with a GP in England: no passport, no address, no fee

Registering with a GP surgery in England is free and needs no documents: no ID, no proof of address and no proof of immigration status can be demanded. Here is how registration works, what to do without a permanent address, and what happens if a surgery turns you down.

Who can register with a GP surgery?

Everyone in England. Registering, and changing surgery, is free. People visiting from abroad can also be seen, as temporary patients.

A surgery may refuse your registration only on a short list of grounds: it is not accepting new patients, you live outside its area, or you have been removed from its patient list before. There are no other reasons.

What documents do you need?

Only basic information: your name, date of birth and address. You do not need ID, proof of address or proof of immigration status. An NHS number makes it easier to find your medical records, but you do not need one either.

You will also be asked for the name and address of an emergency contact, the name and address of your current GP if you have one, and your carer's details if you have a carer. A surgery may sometimes ask for extra documents, but only for specific reasons: to find or transfer your medical records, or to prove you are the parent or guardian of a child you are registering.

If you have no permanent address, you can register using a temporary address or the address of the surgery itself.

How do you apply?

The simplest route is online through the NHS website: enter a postcode or use your location, pick a surgery that offers online registration, and fill in the form — about 15 minutes for each person. You should be told you are registered, usually within five days of the surgery getting your details, though it can take longer.

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The other routes are going into the surgery and filling in a paper form; downloading the paper registration form, filling it in and taking it to the surgery; or using a form on the surgery's own website, which only some offer. If you are already registered somewhere and want to switch, you can use the NHS App; you will be asked to agree to some of your details being shared with the new surgery.

You do not need to tell your old surgery you are leaving — it is informed automatically once the new one registers you. If your address has changed but you do not want to move surgery, just tell your current one directly.

Can you register outside your local area?

Yes. You can register permanently with a surgery outside your local area, for example near where you work. Not all surgeries take such patients: look for "Accepts out of area registrations" in the filters when searching for a GP on the NHS website, check the surgery's own site, or ring them.

There is a trade-off worth knowing in advance. Registering out of area may affect which NHS services you can get: home visits and urgent care from your GP, including out-of-hours care, and community services such as physiotherapy and midwife appointments. Ask the surgery directly how those services will work for you.

How does temporary registration work?

You can register as a temporary patient for up to three months by filling in a temporary services form, available from surgeries. It suits people living away from home who do not want to change surgery permanently, and people visiting from abroad.

After three months you can re-apply as a temporary patient or register permanently. If temporary registration is refused, you can still receive any treatment you need immediately for up to 14 days.

How do you register a child or someone you care for?

Children under 16 are usually registered by a parent or guardian, on a separate form. You may need to be registered with the same surgery, to provide proof of ID and address for the child such as a birth certificate, and to show you are the parent or guardian. The child's personal child health record — the red book — helps if you have it.

You can also register someone you care for, whether you are a paid, unpaid, foster or young carer. You will be asked for your details as well as theirs. If someone over 16 cannot make decisions about their care, registration can be done by a relative, the main carer, a lasting power of attorney, or a person appointed by a court under the Mental Capacity Act.

What if a surgery refuses to register you?

It must write to you within 14 days explaining why. If you have problems registering, contact your local integrated care board (ICB), Citizens Advice, or your local Healthwatch.