Subject to the provisions of F4paragraphs (2) and (2A) below, every person, who is over the age of 16 and satisfies the conditions specified in regulation 87 or 119 of the Contributions Regulations M1 (conditions of domicile or residence and conditions as to residence or presence in Great Britain respectively), shall, unless he has already been allocated a national insurance number under the Act, the Social Security Act 1975 M2 or the National Insurance Act 1965 M3, apply either to the Secretary of State 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 Secretary of State shall direct.

An application under paragraph (1) shall be accompanied by a document of a description specified F3in Schedule 1.

As respects any person who is neither an employed earner nor a self-employed earner the provisions of paragraph (1) above shall not apply unless and until that person wishes to pay a Class 3 contribution.

The provisions of paragraph (1) shall not apply to a person in respect of whom the Secretary of State or the Commissioners for Her Majesty’s Revenue and Customs are notified that a biometric immigration document is to be issued pursuant to regulation 13 F6or 13A of the Immigration (Biometric Registration) Regulations 2008.

The Secretary of State 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.