Application for allocation of national insurance number9.
(1)
Subject to the provisions of paragraph (2), every person, who is over the age of 16 and satisfies the conditions specified in regulation 85 or 11117 of the Contributions Regulations (conditions of domicile or residence and conditions as to residence or presence in Northern Ireland), shall, unless he has already been allocated a national insurance number under the Act, the Social Security (Northern Ireland) Act 197518 or the National Insurance Act (Northern Ireland) 196619, apply either to the Department or to the Inland Revenue for the allocation of a national insurance number and shall make such application at such time and in such manner as the Department shall direct.
(2)
As respects any person who is neither an employed earner nor a self-employed earner the provisions of paragraph (1) shall not apply unless and until that person wishes to pay a Class 3 contribution.
(3)
The Department may authorise arrangements for the allocation of a national insurance number to any person during the 12 months before that person reaches the age of 16, and in particular may direct that a person who will attain the age of 16 within 12 months after such direction shall apply for the allocation of a national insurance number before attaining the age of 16, and any such person shall accordingly comply with such direction.