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  2. Health and wellbeing
  3. Coronavirus (COVID-19)
  4. COVID certificates
Live life COVID-aware

Types of COVID certificates

COVID certificates are available from the Department of Health for international use. These include proof of Vaccination certificates and COVID Recovery certificates, where eligible, if you have tested positive for COVID-19.

Vaccination certificates

If you have received at least one of your COVID-19 vaccinations in Northern Ireland, you can apply for a proof of Vaccination certificate for international travel use.

The Travel certificate will show all doses you have received including boosters.

Travel certificate

The NI COVID Travel certificate is valid for twelve months from the date of application. Digital certificates will automatically renew a week before they are due to expire.  

The QR code and downloadable certificate will permit international travel (where certification is required).

First, you will need to prove identity by creating an nidirect account. 

Then, you can apply for your certificate on the COVIDCert NI app.

  • Apply for a travel COVID vaccination certificate

To view or see the progress of your COVID cert application log in at this link:

  • Log in to the COVID certificate service

Booster doses

You can update your current Vaccination certificate to include your booster dose after five working days of receiving it.

You can log in to your nidirect account and refresh your certificate.

If your booster dose is not showing on your certificate after five working days of receiving it, you will need to contact your point of vaccination to have your records updated.

Your booster details will then appear on your Travel certificate.

Young people aged 16 and under

Parents and guardians can apply through their nidirect account, for travel certificates for young people up to the age of 16.

You will need to upload a photo of the young person’s passport as part of the validation process.

11 to 15 year olds can display their COVID Travel certificates on their own phones by downloading the COVIDCertNI app and scanning the certificate sent to their parent or guardian.

Paper certificates

If you cannot apply for your Vaccination certificates online, you can request a paper version using the telephone service 0300 200 7814, available:

  • Monday to Friday, from 9.00 am to 5.00 pm
  • reduced hours on public holidays

This is an application support line. Call handlers will not be able to provide advice on entry requirements to specific destinations or check the detail of your vaccination records.

This process will take longer than the digital process and you will have to verify your identity in person by presenting documents at an appointed time and location.

Once identity checks have been completed it may take up to 10 working days for the printed certificate to arrive.

Recovery certificate

If you have received a positive COVID PCR test, you may be eligible for a COVID Recovery certificate.

You cannot use an LFD test result to get a Recovery certificate for international travel.

You must take a PCR test from one of the private suppliers who provide results to the national testing database. A list of these suppliers is available at:

  • Finding and choosing a private coronavirus (COVID-19) test provider

It is the responsibility of the test provider and not the Department of Health to report your results to NHS Digital. 

For international travel, the Recovery certificate is available 10 days after your positive test and will only be valid for up to 180 days after the date of the positive PCR test.

You can hold both a Recovery certificate and a Vaccination certificate.

You should also check the entry requirements for your destination, before travelling, as the number of days from which a Recovery certificate is accepted, after you have tested positive, may vary.

  • Apply for a recovery certificate

Young people aged 16 and under

Parents and guardians can apply through their nidirect account, for Recovery certificates for young people up to the age of 16.

You will need to upload a photo of the young person’s passport as part of the validation process.

11 to 16 year olds can display the certificate on their own phones by downloading the COVIDCertNI app and scanning the certificate sent to their parent or guardian.

Single dose letter

Single dose letters are available if you have received a single COVID vaccination in Northern Ireland (to provide as part of a certificate application in a different country).

You need to follow the steps for requesting a Travel certificate at the link below and select the vaccination you have received in Northern Ireland as part of the application.

  • Apply for a travel COVID vaccination certificate

 

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COVID certificates

  • Apply for a COVID Recovery certificate
  • Apply for a Travel COVID vaccination certificate
  • Types of COVID certificates

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Comments or queries about angling can be emailed to anglingcorrespondence@daera-ni.gov.uk 

If you have a comment or query about benefits, you will need to contact the government department or agency which handles that benefit.  Contacts for common benefits are listed below.

Carer's Allowance

Call 0800 587 0912
Email 
dcs.incomingpostteamdhc2@nissa.gsi.gov.uk

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Call 0800 587 2750 
Email 
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Call 0800 587 1377

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If your query is about another benefit, select ‘Other’ from the drop-down menu above.

Comments or queries about the Blue Badge scheme can be emailed to bluebadges@infrastructure-ni.gov.uk or you can also call 0300 200 7818.

For queries or advice about careers, contact the Careers Service.

For queries or advice about Child Maintenance, contact the Child Maintenance Service.

For queries or advice about claiming compensation due to a road problem, contact DFI Roads claim unit.

If you can’t find the information you’re looking for in the Coronavirus (COVID-19) section, then for queries about:

  • Restrictions or regulations — contact the Department of Health
  • Travel advice (including self-isolation) — contact the Department of Health
  • Coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccinations — contact the Department of Health or Public Health Agency

If your query is about another topic, select ‘Other’ from the drop-down menu above.

For queries about your identity check, email nida@nidirect.gov.uk and for queries about your certificate, email covidcertni@hscni.net.

For queries or advice about criminal record checks, email ani@accessni.gov.uk

Application and payment queries can be emailed to ema_ni@slc.co.uk

For queries or advice about employment rights, contact the Labour Relations Agency.

For queries or advice about birth, death, marriage and civil partnership certificates and research, contact the General Register Office Northern Ireland (GRONI) by email gro_nisra@finance-ni.gov.uk

For queries about the High Street Spend Local Scheme,  email HSSS.mail@economy-ni.gov.uk.

For queries about:

  • Car tax, vehicle registration and SORN
    contact the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA), Swansea
     
  • Driver licensing and tests, MOT and vehicle testing
    contact the Driver & Vehicle Agency (DVA), Northern Ireland

If your query is about another topic, select ‘Other’ from the drop-down menu above.

For queries about your identity check, email nida@nidirect.gov.uk.

 

For queries or advice about passports, contact HM Passport Office.

For queries or advice about Penalty Charge Notices (PCNs), including parking tickets and bus lane PCNs, email dcu@infrastructure-ni.gov.uk

For queries or advice about pensions, contact the Northern Ireland Pension Centre.

If you wish to report a problem with a road or street you can do so online in this section.

If you wish to check on a problem or fault you have already reported, contact DfI Roads.

For queries or advice about historical, social or cultural records relating to Northern Ireland, use the Public Record Office of Northern Ireland (PRONI) enquiry service.

For queries or advice about rates, email LPSCustomerTeam@lpsni.gov.uk

For queries or advice about  60+ and Senior Citizen SmartPasses (which can be used to get concessionary travel on public transport), contact Smartpass - Translink.

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