Apply for a COVID Recovery certificate

If you have received a positive COVID-19 PCR test in Northern Ireland, you may be eligible to apply for a Recovery certificate. Find out when you can apply for a Recovery certificate for international travel.

COVID Recovery certificates

You can only receive a Recovery certificate if you are a resident in Northern Ireland.

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

For international travel, the Recovery certificate is available 10 days after your positive test.

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

If you're eligible, you can apply for a COVID Recovery certificate, in the form of a QR code, through the COVIDCert NI app.

Parents and guardians can apply through their nidirect account, for Recovery certificates for young people up to the age of 17.

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 the certificate on their own phones by downloading the COVIDCertNI app and scanning the certificate sent to their parent or guardian.

The certificate is valid for up to 180 days from the date you took the PCR test.

How to apply

There are two possible ways to get a Recovery certificate.

If you already have an nidirect account

If you already have an nidirect account, log in to your account using the link below and click the green button ‘Apply for a COVID certificate’.

You will be guided through the Recovery application and once your certificate has been generated it will be visible on the COVIDCert NI app.

If your application is not processed automatically, the NI COVID certification service will email you directly when your application has been successfully processed, telling you when you can download your certificate online or view it on the app.

If you haven’t got an nidirect account

If you don’t have an nidirect account, you will have to create one.

You should fully read the guidance at this link before you start your application to make sure that everything is correctly completed:

Identity assurance

If you have any issues creating your nidirect account, you can contact the support teams at the following link:

COVIDCert information and support

Apply for a COVID recovery certificate

Access your certificate

Once you have applied and your ID has been verified, you can apply for your certificate, as above.

If you have received an email confirming your COVID-19 vaccination document is ready you can view your certificate in the app or you can log in and access your certificate at this link:

COVIDCert NI app

The COVIDCert NI app is available for those who received their vaccination in Northern Ireland to download from the following app stores:

Find out how the app works at:

COVIDCert NI mobile app

If you have questions about the app, contact the support teams at:

COVIDCert information and support

How to update the COVIDCert NI app

Follow these steps to make sure you have the most up-to-date version of the app.

iPhone:

go to your iPhone's home screen and tap on the App Store icon
after the App Store opens, tap the profile icon in the top right corner of the screen
scroll to the CovidCert NI app and select ‘update’
enter your password and wait for your app to update
go into the CovidCert NI app and click the ‘+ Activate Domestic Certificate’ button

Android:

open the Google Play Store app
at the top right, tap the profile icon
tap Manage apps and device - scroll to the CovidCert NI app and select ‘update’
go into the CovidCert NI app and tap the ‘+ Activate Domestic Certificate’ button

If you are still unable to see the certificate in your app, contact the support teams at:

COVIDCert information and support

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What to do next

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Call 0800 587 1377

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Contact your local Jobs & Benefits office

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

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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
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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.

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

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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.

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