covid-pass

NHS COVID Pass

An NHS COVID Pass shows your coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccination details or test results. This is your COVID-19 status.

You may be asked to show your pass to travel abroad, or at events and venues in England asking for proof of your COVID-19 status.

Always check the entry requirements for the country or the venue you’re visiting.

If you’re planning to travel abroad, or want to know more about your COVID-19 status:

• read about travel abroad from England during COVID-19 on GOV.UK
• find out how to demonstrate your COVID-19 status on GOV.UK

Information: Members of the UK Armed Forces need to visit the ‘My health care hub’ on the Defence Gateway to find out how to get their NHS COVID Pass.

Who can get an NHS COVID Pass in England

If you’re aged 16 or over, you can get an NHS COVID Pass for travel abroad. If you’re aged 18 or over, you can get an NHS COVID Pass for domestic events.

COVID Pass – Travel abroad

Details of what you need to get an NHS COVID Pass to travel abroad What you need to get a pass When you can get a pass 1 or 2 doses of a COVID-19 vaccine used in the UK Usually within 24 hours of having your vaccination – however it can take up to 5 days for your records to be updated Positive PCR test within the past 6 months After you’ve finished self-isolating and up to 180 days after taking the test

COVID Pass – Domestic events

Details of what you need to get an NHS COVID Pass for certain events and venues in England What you need to get a pass When you can get a pass To be fully vaccinated with a COVID-19 vaccine used in the UK 2 weeks after your 2nd dose, or 2 weeks after 1 dose of the Janssen vaccine Negative PCR test or rapid lateral flow test within the past 48 hours As soon as you get your result

If you did a rapid lateral flow test at home, report your rapid lateral flow test result on GOV.UK first Positive PCR test within the past 6 months After you’ve finished self-isolating and up to 180 days after taking the test

If you were vaccinated as part of an official clinical trial in England, you should have received a letter confirming this. The letter explains that your COVID-19 status is “fully vaccinated”.

If you have not received a letter, contact your clinical trial site.

You can also get an NHS COVID Pass showing your vaccination status for domestic events using the NHS App or the online NHS COVID Pass service. You’ll be able to get a digital COVID Pass for travel abroad soon.

COVID-19 status for children

The NHS COVID Pass is not available for children under the age of 16.

If you’re travelling abroad, your child may need to show a negative test result. Check the entry requirements for the country you’re visiting.

Children under the age of 18 do not need to show a COVID Pass to get into venues in England.

How to get your NHS COVID Pass

There are different ways to get a COVID Pass.

Get a digital version

You can get a digital version using the NHS App or NHS website. You can download it as a PDF or get it sent to you in an email.

You can get a digital version by:

• downloading the NHS App – you must be registered with a GP surgery in England to use the app
• using the online NHS COVID Pass service

You will need an NHS login to use these services. You’ll be asked to create one if you do not have an NHS login already.

What is NHS login

How long digital versions are valid for

If you’ve had:

• a vaccine used in the UK – your pass lasts for 30 days, but the 30 day period refreshes every time you log in
• a negative PCR test or rapid lateral flow test – your pass is valid for 48 hours after a negative result
• a positive PCR test – your pass lasts 30 days, but the 30 day period refreshes every time you log in (for up to 180 days after you took the test)

If you download your COVID Pass as a PDF, always check the expiry date before using it.

If you’re fully vaccinated or had a positive test result, the barcode on a PDF is valid for 30 days.

Get a paper version (vaccination status only)

You can get an NHS COVID Pass letter sent to you in the post.

This shows you’ve been vaccinated against COVID-19. It does not show COVID-19 test results.

You can ask for a letter after having your 2nd dose of the vaccine, or after a single-dose Janssen vaccine. You may need to wait 5 working days before using the service, so that your record will be up to date.

You should get the letter within 5 working days.

You can use your letter at venues in England where you need to prove your COVID-19 status 2 weeks after you have been fully vaccinated.

You do not need to be registered with a GP surgery or have an NHS login for this.

You can get a letter by:

• requesting a COVID Pass letter online
• calling 119 – do not call 119 if you’re travelling in more than 4 weeks’ time

It is also known as a COVID-19 post vaccination letter. The paper version does not have an expiry date.

Protecting your data

When you access your NHS COVID Pass via the NHS App, or directly via the NHS website, you will use NHS login. NHS login has advanced security features to protect you and minimise any risk of fraud.

Your COVID Pass only shows your vaccination record or test results, and no other personal health records.

COVID Passes and vaccination status in other parts of the UK

• Scotland – NHS Inform: Get a record of your COVID-19 vaccination status
• Wales – Welsh Government: Get the NHS COVID Pass to show your vaccination status for travel
• Northern Ireland – nidirect: Get a COVID-19 vaccination in Northern Ireland

Page last reviewed: 5 August 2021
Next review due: 19 August 2021