Across the UK (England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland), deaf, hard of hearing and speech-impaired people can text 999 using emergencySMS, but only after registering their mobile. To register, text the word “register” to 999, read the reply, answer “yes” and wait for the success message. Do it now, before you ever need it.
Updated 19 October 2026 · Sources: Relay UK, police.uk, West Yorkshire Police, East of England Ambulance Service, North West Ambulance Service, Ofcom, 999 BSL, British Institute for the Deaf · Next review: January 2027
If you can call, call 999: a voice call is faster than a text. If you can’t speak, stay on the line and, on a mobile, press 55 when asked (see how a silent 999 call works). Texting 999 only works if your phone is already registered with emergencySMS.
Text 999 at a glance
How do I register for emergencySMS?
Text the word “register” to 999 from the mobile you want to use. You get an automatic reply explaining the service. Read it, reply “yes”, then wait for a text confirming your phone is registered, or telling you there was a problem. Register again if you change your number. Full details are on Relay UK’s 999 page.
1. Text “register” to 999
2. Read the reply
3. Reply “yes”
4. Wait for the success text
Not sure you are registered? Text “register” to 999 again: the reply tells you. West Yorkshire Police says you don’t need to make a test call, and you should never send test texts to 999.
Who can use text 999?
emergencySMS is part of the standard 999 service and is designed for people who are deaf, hard of hearing or speech-impaired and can’t make voice calls. Through it you can reach the police, ambulance, fire and rescue or the coastguard. If you can hear and speak but are in danger and can’t talk, a silent 999 call is the route to use.
What should I put in an emergency text to 999?
Keep it short and include three things: which service you need (police, ambulance, fire or coastguard), what is happening, and exactly where you are, with the road name, town, house number or postcode and any nearby landmark. Our guide to telling 999 exactly where you are shows quick ways to find your location.
- Who: “Police” or “Ambulance” first.
- What: one line, for example “man breaking into car” or “woman collapsed, not breathing”.
- Where: “12 High Street, near the station” or a postcode.
How long does a text to 999 take?
Longer than a voice call. Relay UK says replies can take a couple of minutes and that a delivery report does not mean 999 has your message: don’t assume it arrived until you get a reply. If no reply comes, call 18000 if you can, text again, or ask someone near you to call 999. Use text only when other options aren’t possible.
What are the other ways to contact 999 without speaking?
There are four main routes. Pick the one that fits you now and set it up before you need it. For non-emergency numbers too, see which number should I call?
Sources: Relay UK, police.uk, Ofcom and 999 BSL, checked on 19 October 2026. More on press 55 in our silent 999 guide.
Myths and facts about texting 999
Does text 999 work in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland?
Yes. emergencySMS is part of the UK’s 999 service, so the same registration works in all four nations and your text is passed to the local police, ambulance, fire or coastguard service. What differs is how you report things that are not emergencies, such as online police reports. For every route by crime type, see where to report a crime.
▲ same as this guide · ▬ similar, different route · ▼ different. Checked on Relay UK, police.uk and North West Ambulance Service on 19 October 2026.
Once you are set up, our guide to when to call 999, 101 or 111 explains which number fits which situation.
Frequently asked questions
Registration is linked to your mobile number. Relay UK and the East of England Ambulance Service say you need to register again if you change your number. If you keep the same number on a new phone, text “register” to 999 to check your status.
Text “register” to 999 again. The reply tells you whether your number is registered. Don’t send anything else and don’t make a test call.
Don’t assume your message arrived. Relay UK advises calling 18000 if you can, or asking someone to call 999 for you. North West Ambulance Service suggests trying again or finding another way to get help if nothing comes back within three minutes.
emergencySMS is designed for people who can’t make voice calls because of hearing loss or difficulty with speech. If you are in danger and can’t talk, call 999 and use the silent 999 call and press 55 instead.
Sources
- Relay UK: contact 999 using Relay UK and emergencySMS
- police.uk: contact the police
- West Yorkshire Police: emergency text (SMS)
- East of England Ambulance Service: contacting 999 with a speech or hearing impairment
- North West Ambulance Service: emergencySMS leaflet
- Ofcom: new 999 video call service for BSL users and 999 BSL
- British Institute for the Deaf: registering with emergencySMS
General information for the UK, not legal advice. Services change: check the official pages above for your situation. If you can make a voice call in an emergency, always call 999.
Keep reading
Help that doesn’t depend on a phone call
Safety App UK lets you share your live location with a trusted circle you choose and get Safe Zone alerts when someone arrives or leaves. An SOS by button or shake, or automatically in higher-crime zones, sends your live location and live video to your circle without you having to speak. The live safety map, built from police data and community reports, shows police stations and Ask for Angela venues and helps you plan safer routes. It does not contact the emergency services, so keep emergencySMS registered as well. Free for 7 days, then £2.99 a month. For ages 16+.