Register with a GP surgery

This page is about registering with a GP surgery or changing your current GP surgery.

Find out about:

Register or change GP surgery online or using the NHS App

You can register with a GP surgery or change your current GP surgery online using the NHS website.

To register online:

Enter a post code or use your location to look for GP surgeries in the area you want to register. Most people will need to register near where they live but some surgeries accept patients from further away.
Choose a surgery you want to register with that offers online registration.
Fill in a registration form. This takes about 15 minutes for each person you want to register.

You should be told when you have been registered. It will usually be within 5 days of the surgery getting your details, but it may take longer.

Find a GP to register with

If you have the NHS App, you can use it to change GP surgery.

You'll be asked to agree for some of your details to be shared with the new GP surgery.

You must already be registered with a GP surgery to use the NHS App.

Create an account

You do not need to tell your current GP surgery if you're changing. They'll be told automatically once you're registered with your new surgery.

Other ways to register with a GP surgery

You can also register or change GP surgery by:

going to the surgery you want to register with and filling in a paper form
downloading the register with a GP surgery paper form, filling it in and taking it to the surgery you want to register with
filling in a form on the surgery's own website (only offered at some surgeries)

Changing your address

Changing your address with your current GP surgery

Tell your GP surgery directly if your address has changed, or you need to update any other personal details, but do not want to change surgery.

Registering someone else

Registering someone else with a GP surgery

Registering a baby or child

Children under 16 usually need to be registered by their parent or guardian. This means filling in a separate form.

You may also:

need to be registered with the same GP surgery as the child
need to provide proof of ID and address for the child you're registering, such as their birth certificate
be asked to provide ID by the surgery to prove you're the parent or guardian of the child

It can help to provide their personal child health record (red book), if you have it.

Registering someone you care for

You can register someone you care for, including if you're a paid, unpaid, foster or young carer.

We'll ask for your details as well as the details of the person you're registering.

Registering someone you care for under the Mental Capacity Act

If someone over 16 is unable to register with a GP because they cannot make decisions about their care, registration can be done by:

a relative
the main carer
a lasting power of attorney
a person appointed by a court under the Mental Capacity Act

Registering outside your local area

Registering with a GP surgery outside your local area

You can register permanently with a GP surgery outside your local area, such as near where you work.

Not all GP surgeries accept patients from outside their area. You can check whether a GP surgery does:

Finding a GP and filtering for "Accepts out of area registrations" on the results page
on the GP surgery's own website
by contacting the GP surgery

Important

Registering with a GP surgery outside of your local area may affect the NHS services you can access, including:

home visits and urgent care from your GP, including out-of-hours care
community services like physiotherapy and midwife appointments

Speak to the GP surgery and ask them to explain what happens for these services when you register.

Registering as a temporary patient

Registering with a GP surgery as a temporary patient

You can register with a GP surgery as a temporary patient for up to 3 months.

You'll need to fill out a temporary services form, which you can get from GP surgeries.

You may want to do this if you're living away from home but do not want to change your GP surgery permanently, or if you're visiting from abroad.

After 3 months, you can re-apply as a temporary patient, or apply to register as a permanent patient.

If your application for temporary registration is refused, you can still receive any treatment you need immediately for up to 14 days.

Find out more about how to access NHS services in England if you're visiting from abroad

What you need to register with a GP surgery

You'll only be asked to give basic information to register with a GP surgery. This includes your name, date of birth and address.

You do not need ID, proof of address or proof of immigration status.

Having an NHS number can make it easier to find your medical records, but you do not need one to register.

As part of registering you'll also be asked for:

the name and address of an emergency contact
the name and address of the GP you're registered with now, if you have one
the name and address of your carer, if you have one

Sometimes, a GP surgery may ask for extra documents or details for other reasons, like helping to find or transfer your medical records, or to prove you're the parent or guardian of a child you're registering.

If you do not have a permanent address, you can register with a GP surgery using a temporary address or the address of the GP surgery.

Who can register with a GP surgery

Everyone in England can register with a GP surgery, including as a temporary patient if you're visiting from abroad.

A GP surgery may refuse your registration if:

they're not accepting new patients
you live outside the surgery's area
you have been removed from the their patient list before

Important: If a surgery does not accept your registration

If a GP surgery refuses to register you, they must write to you within 14 days to explain why.

If you have problems registering with a GP surgery, you can contact: