Life in the UK Test Unique Reference Number (URN): How to Get Yours

Quick answer: where your URN comes from and when you get it

What is it? Your Life in the UK test unique reference number is the official code that proves you passed. The Home Office uses it to verify your result electronically when you apply for indefinite leave to remain (ILR) or British citizenship.

• When you get it: After you pass (score 75%+), your URN is issued and appears in the email with your results and inside your PSI Life in the UK account. If you took the test before 17 December 2019, you’ll have a results letter with a test reference ID instead.
• Where to find it: Look for wording like “Unique Reference Number (URN)”. For tests on/after 17 December 2019, the format commonly looks like HOM/010114/123456/123456789.
• What to do with it: Enter the URN exactly as shown in your ILR or citizenship application. No extra spaces or missing characters.

Official guidance confirms you’ll receive a unique reference number after passing and that the Home Office will use it to check you’ve passed.

What is the URN and why it matters

Think of the URN as your test-pass fingerprint. It uniquely links you to a verified pass and lets Home Office caseworkers confirm your result directly in their systems. You’ll need it for ILR or naturalisation.

What the URN proves

Definition: The URN is the official proof of your Life in the UK pass, tied to your identity, which caseworkers check electronically during your application processing. No certificate upload is required; the URN is the evidence they match against their records.

URN vs booking reference vs candidate ID

Avoid mixing up numbers on forms. Here’s how they differ:

Does the URN expire?

No. There’s no expiry on a Life in the UK pass. Because you may need the number again, keep it safely stored for future applications. For more detail, see our guide on how long the Life in the UK Test is valid.

Step-by-step: how to find your URN after you pass

Follow these steps immediately after passing so you can move on with your application without delays.

Step 1: Check your pass notification letter

If you sat the test before 17 December 2019 (or you were given a printed results slip at the centre), your number may appear on a pass notification letter labelled “Unique Reference Number (URN)” or “test reference ID”. For pre-2019 tests, that reference was a 7-digit number on the top of the letter.

Step 2: Sign in to your official booking account

For tests on/after 17 December 2019, PSI no longer issues pass letters. Instead, sign in to your PSI Life in the UK (LitUK) account to view your result. Your URN will be displayed alongside the result and is the code you must use in your application.

Step 3: Confirm the exact label you’ll see

• Look for “Unique Reference Number (URN)” in your results email or account.
• For post-2019 tests, the email usually shows a format like HOM/010114/123456/123456789.
• For pre-2019 tests, the letter shows a 7-digit “test reference ID”. Use that where applications ask for your Life in the UK reference.
• Do not enter your booking reference or candidate ID by mistake.

Step 4: Match your personal details

Make sure your full legal name, date of birth and the ID type/number in your account or letter match your passport/BRP. If anything differs (e.g., middle name missing or diacritics), ask support to correct it before you submit your URN—this helps prevent verification delays.

Step 5: Save a secure digital copy

Take a clear scan or photo of the email/letter showing the URN and store it in an encrypted drive. Keep any original letter safe. This gives you a quick backup if you change devices or email addresses later.

Haven’t received your URN? What to do in the next 24–72 hours

If you passed but can’t see your URN, work through these checks to get it fast—without booking a new test.

Same-day issues at the test centre

• Misprint or name error spotted on the day: Raise it immediately with staff so they can correct your profile before results sync.
• Results held for checks: Occasionally, results are reviewed for ID mismatches. Ask when to expect the email and whether you need to submit any documents.
• No printout given: That’s normal post-2019. Your URN should arrive by email and appear in your PSI account.

Contacting official support (what info to provide)

Contact PSI via the booking portal if your URN hasn’t appeared within 24–72 hours. Prepare:

• Full name (as booked) and date of birth
• Test date, time and centre
• ID type and last four digits of the ID number used
• Booking email address and phone number
• Screenshot of your account page (if possible)

Need phone/email routes? Use our roundup of official Life in the UK Test contact options.

Common reasons for delays and fixes

• Name mismatch: Ask support to update your record to match your passport/BRP exactly, then re-check your account.
• ID discrepancy: If a different ID was presented on the day, verification may pause. Provide scans if requested.
• System sync lag: Allow 24–72 hours. Check spam/junk folders and whitelist PSI emails.
• Wrong email on file: Update your account email and request the results notification be re-sent.

When to escalate—and what not to do

• Escalate after 72 hours if nothing appears, attaching evidence of your pass screen and test details.
• Do not book a new test just to get a URN; a new booking costs £50 and isn’t needed if you already passed.

How and where to use your URN in ILR or citizenship applications

Once you have your URN, you’ll enter it in the Life in the UK section of the online form (ILR or Form AN for naturalisation). Caseworkers use it to verify your pass, so accuracy matters.

Entering your URN on the form

• Field label is typically “Unique reference number (Life in the UK test)”.
• Enter the full string in the exact format shown (e.g., include “HOM/” and any slashes).
• Avoid typos: copy–paste from the email, then manually check for extra spaces before/after.
• If your test was pre-2019, use the 7-digit test reference ID where the form requests your Life in the UK reference.

Sharing your URN with a solicitor or representative

• Share via encrypted email, secure client portals, or password-protected files.
• Provide your full legal name and DOB alongside the URN to reduce back-and-forth.
• Avoid messaging apps that sync to multiple devices unless protected with strong device security.

Avoid these common errors

• Entering the booking reference instead of the URN.
• Missing characters in the HOM/ format or adding spaces.
• Submitting with a nickname that doesn’t match your passport/BRP.
• Transposing digits—double-check against the email or account page.

Security: how to store and share your URN safely

Your URN links to identity information and application records. Treat it like a sensitive document.

Keep the original letter and a secure backup

• Store any original pass letter in a fire/water-resistant folder at home.
• Create an encrypted digital backup (e.g., password-protected PDF in a secure cloud drive).
• Label files clearly, e.g., “Life-in-the-UK-URN-YYYYMMDD”.

What to redact when emailing copies

• If you must email, consider redacting parts of your address or document numbers not required by your solicitor.
• Use password-protected attachments and share the password via a separate channel.

Who may legitimately ask for your URN

• Home Office application forms and caseworkers
• Your regulated solicitor or accredited representative
• Do not share it publicly or with unverified third parties

Frequently asked URN questions

What is my URN number?

It’s the Life in the UK Test unique reference number shown in your results email and PSI account after you pass. It uniquely links your identity to a verified pass that the Home Office checks during ILR or citizenship processing.

Is a photocopy or scan of my pass letter enough?

For post-2019 tests, the URN in your email/account is what matters. If you have a pre-2019 letter, scans are fine to share with a solicitor, but keep the original safe in case you’re asked to reference it later.

Can I verify my URN with the Home Office?

You don’t need to pre-verify. The Home Office checks your URN electronically during casework. Just enter the number exactly as shown in your application.

Do I need the URN for future applications?

Yes, keep it. Life in the UK passes don’t expire, and you may be asked for the URN again for later applications or correspondence.

Planning ahead: pass on the first try with the Life in the UK Test App

Confidence on test day speeds up everything that follows—no retests, no delays chasing admin, and your URN arrives so you can apply sooner. If you’re still preparing, make it efficient and focused.

Why pass-confidence speeds up your URN journey

• Eliminates the £50 retest cost and lost time if you fall short.
• Reduces admin corrections from guessing—fewer identity mismatches.
• Lets you move directly to your ILR or citizenship forms with your URN in hand.

How the app helps you prepare smarter

• Brit-Bear smart assistant: turn weak topics into strengths with guided practice.
• Readiness score: know when you’re truly exam-ready.
• 650+ question bank with explanations: learn the why behind each answer.
• Realistic mock tests + Hard Mode: simulate pressure and tricky wording.
• Offline access: study anywhere, anytime.

New to the test? Start with our primer: How to Prepare for the Life in the UK Test. Planning your immigration route? See our guides to Indefinite Leave to Remain and British citizenship.

Get started now

Download on the App Store or Get it on Google Play and prepare with confidence—so your URN arrives right after you pass.