GOV.UK Notify Notifications API

openapi: 3.1.0
info:
  title: GOV.UK Notify API
  description: >-
    GOV.UK Notify is a UK government notification service operated by the Government Digital Service (GDS)
    that enables central government, local authorities, NHS organisations, and other eligible public bodies
    to send emails, text messages, and letters to citizens on behalf of government services. The API uses
    JWT-based authentication and supports template-driven personalisation.
  version: 2.0.0
  contact:
    url: https://www.notifications.service.gov.uk/support
  license:
    name: MIT
    url: https://github.com/alphagov/notifications-api/blob/main/LICENSE
  termsOfService: https://www.notifications.service.gov.uk/terms

servers:
  - url: https://api.notifications.service.gov.uk
    description: GOV.UK Notify production API

security:
  - bearerAuth: []

tags:
  - name: Notifications
    description: Send and retrieve notifications (email, SMS, letters)
  - name: Templates
    description: Retrieve and preview notification templates
  - name: Received Text Messages
    description: Retrieve inbound text messages

paths:

  /v2/notifications/sms:
    post:
      operationId: sendSms
      summary: Send a text message
      description: Send a text message (SMS) notification to a recipient using a pre-defined template.
      tags:
        - Notifications
      requestBody:
        required: true
        content:
          application/json:
            schema:
              $ref: '#/components/schemas/SendSmsRequest'
            example:
              phone_number: "+447900900123"
              template_id: "f33517ff-2a88-4f6e-b855-c550268ce08a"
              personalisation:
                name: "Jane"
              reference: "unique-ref-001"
      responses:
        '201':
          description: SMS notification created successfully
          content:
            application/json:
              schema:
                $ref: '#/components/schemas/NotificationResponse'
        '400':
          $ref: '#/components/responses/BadRequest'
        '403':
          $ref: '#/components/responses/Forbidden'
        '429':
          $ref: '#/components/responses/RateLimited'
        '500':
          $ref: '#/components/responses/ServerError'

  /v2/notifications/email:
    post:
      operationId: sendEmail
      summary: Send an email notification
      description: >-
        Send an email notification to a recipient using a pre-defined template. Can also be used to send
        a file by email by including a link_to_file object in the personalisation field.
      tags:
        - Notifications
      requestBody:
        required: true
        content:
          application/json:
            schema:
              $ref: '#/components/schemas/SendEmailRequest'
            example:
              email_address: "[email protected]"
              template_id: "f33517ff-2a88-4f6e-b855-c550268ce08a"
              personalisation:
                name: "Jane"
              reference: "unique-ref-002"
              one_click_unsubscribe_url: "https://example.com/unsubscribe"
      responses:
        '201':
          description: Email notification created successfully
          content:
            application/json:
              schema:
                $ref: '#/components/schemas/NotificationResponse'
        '400':
          $ref: '#/components/responses/BadRequest'
        '403':
          $ref: '#/components/responses/Forbidden'
        '429':
          $ref: '#/components/responses/RateLimited'
        '500':
          $ref: '#/components/responses/ServerError'

  /v2/notifications/letter:
    post:
      operationId: sendLetter
      summary: Send a letter notification
      description: >-
        Send a letter notification to a recipient using a pre-defined template, or send a precompiled
        letter as a base64-encoded PDF.
      tags:
        - Notifications
      requestBody:
        required: true
        content:
          application/json:
            schema:
              $ref: '#/components/schemas/SendLetterRequest'
            examples:
              template_letter:
                summary: Template-based letter
                value:
                  template_id: "f33517ff-2a88-4f6e-b855-c550268ce08a"
                  personalisation:
                    address_line_1: "The Occupier"
                    address_line_2: "123 High Street"
                    address_line_3: "London"
                    postcode: "SW14 6BF"
                    name: "Jane"
                  reference: "unique-ref-003"
              precompiled_letter:
                summary: Precompiled PDF letter
                value:
                  reference: "unique-ref-004"
                  content: "JVBERi0xLjUgb2JqZWN0..."
                  postage: "second"
      responses:
        '201':
          description: Letter notification created successfully
          content:
            application/json:
              schema:
                $ref: '#/components/schemas/NotificationResponse'
        '400':
          $ref: '#/components/responses/BadRequest'
        '403':
          $ref: '#/components/responses/Forbidden'
        '429':
          $ref: '#/components/responses/RateLimited'
        '500':
          $ref: '#/components/responses/ServerError'

  /v2/notifications/{notification_id}:
    get:
      operationId: getNotification
      summary: Get notification by ID
      description: Retrieve the status and details of a single notification by its UUID.
      tags:
        - Notifications
      parameters:
        - name: notification_id
          in: path
          required: true
          description: UUID of the notification
          schema:
            type: string
            format: uuid
      responses:
        '200':
          description: Notification details
          content:
            application/json:
              schema:
                $ref: '#/components/schemas/Notification'
        '403':
          $ref: '#/components/responses/Forbidden'
        '404':
          $ref: '#/components/responses/NotFound'
        '500':
          $ref: '#/components/responses/ServerError'

  /v2/notifications/{notification_id}/pdf:
    get:
      operationId: getLetterPdf
      summary: Get letter PDF
      description: Download the PDF file for a letter notification.
      tags:
        - Notifications
      parameters:
        - name: notification_id
          in: path
          required: true
          description: UUID of the letter notification
          schema:
            type: string
            format: uuid
      responses:
        '200':
          description: PDF binary content
          content:
            application/pdf:
              schema:
                type: string
                format: binary
        '403':
          $ref: '#/components/responses/Forbidden'
        '404':
          $ref: '#/components/responses/NotFound'
        '500':
          $ref: '#/components/responses/ServerError'

  /v2/notifications:
    get:
      operationId: listNotifications
      summary: List notifications
      description: >-
        Retrieve a list of notifications sent by the service, optionally filtered by type,
        status, or reference. Returns up to 250 notifications per request with pagination.
      tags:
        - Notifications
      parameters:
        - name: template_type
          in: query
          required: false
          description: Filter by notification type
          schema:
            type: string
            enum: [email, sms, letter]
        - name: status
          in: query
          required: false
          description: Filter by notification status
          schema:
            type: string
        - name: reference
          in: query
          required: false
          description: Filter by client reference string
          schema:
            type: string
        - name: older_than
          in: query
          required: false
          description: UUID of a notification; returns notifications older than this ID (pagination)
          schema:
            type: string
            format: uuid
        - name: include_jobs
          in: query
          required: false
          description: Include notifications from CSV batch uploads
          schema:
            type: boolean
      responses:
        '200':
          description: List of notifications
          content:
            application/json:
              schema:
                $ref: '#/components/schemas/NotificationList'
        '403':
          $ref: '#/components/responses/Forbidden'
        '500':
          $ref: '#/components/responses/ServerError'

  /v2/template/{template_id}:
    get:
      operationId: getTemplate
      summary: Get template by ID
      description: Retrieve the current version of a template by its UUID.
      tags:
        - Templates
      parameters:
        - name: template_id
          in: path
          required: true
          description: UUID of the template
          schema:
            type: string
            format: uuid
      responses:
        '200':
          description: Template details
          content:
            application/json:
              schema:
                $ref: '#/components/schemas/Template'
        '403':
          $ref: '#/components/responses/Forbidden'
        '404':
          $ref: '#/components/responses/NotFound'
        '500':
          $ref: '#/components/responses/ServerError'

  /v2/template/{template_id}/version/{version}:
    get:
      operationId: getTemplateVersion
      summary: Get template by ID and version
      description: Retrieve a specific version of a template by its UUID and version number.
      tags:
        - Templates
      parameters:
        - name: template_id
          in: path
          required: true
          description: UUID of the template
          schema:
            type: string
            format: uuid
        - name: version
          in: path
          required: true
          description: Version number of the template
          schema:
            type: integer
            minimum: 1
      responses:
        '200':
          description: Template version details
          content:
            application/json:
              schema:
                $ref: '#/components/schemas/Template'
        '403':
          $ref: '#/components/responses/Forbidden'
        '404':
          $ref: '#/components/responses/NotFound'
        '500':
          $ref: '#/components/responses/ServerError'

  /v2/templates:
    get:
      operationId: listTemplates
      summary: List all templates
      description: Retrieve all templates for the service, optionally filtered by type.
      tags:
        - Templates
      parameters:
        - name: type
          in: query
          required: false
          description: Filter templates by type
          schema:
            type: string
            enum: [email, sms, letter]
      responses:
        '200':
          description: List of templates
          content:
            application/json:
              schema:
                $ref: '#/components/schemas/TemplateList'
        '403':
          $ref: '#/components/responses/Forbidden'
        '500':
          $ref: '#/components/responses/ServerError'

  /v2/template/{template_id}/preview:
    post:
      operationId: previewTemplate
      summary: Generate a template preview
      description: >-
        Generate a preview of a template with personalisation values substituted, without
        sending a real notification.
      tags:
        - Templates
      parameters:
        - name: template_id
          in: path
          required: true
          description: UUID of the template to preview
          schema:
            type: string
            format: uuid
      requestBody:
        required: true
        content:
          application/json:
            schema:
              $ref: '#/components/schemas/TemplatePreviewRequest'
            example:
              personalisation:
                name: "Jane"
                appointment_date: "1 January 2024"
      responses:
        '200':
          description: Rendered template preview
          content:
            application/json:
              schema:
                $ref: '#/components/schemas/TemplatePreview'
        '400':
          $ref: '#/components/responses/BadRequest'
        '403':
          $ref: '#/components/responses/Forbidden'
        '404':
          $ref: '#/components/responses/NotFound'
        '500':
          $ref: '#/components/responses/ServerError'

  /v2/received-text-messages:
    get:
      operationId: listReceivedTextMessages
      summary: List received text messages
      description: >-
        Retrieve inbound SMS messages received by the service. Returns up to 250 messages
        per request with pagination support.
      tags:
        - Received Text Messages
      parameters:
        - name: older_than
          in: query
          required: false
          description: Message ID; returns messages older than this ID (pagination)
          schema:
            type: string
            format: uuid
      responses:
        '200':
          description: List of received text messages
          content:
            application/json:
              schema:
                $ref: '#/components/schemas/ReceivedTextMessageList'
        '403':
          $ref: '#/components/responses/Forbidden'
        '500':
          $ref: '#/components/responses/ServerError'

components:

  securitySchemes:
    bearerAuth:
      type: http
      scheme: bearer
      bearerFormat: JWT
      description: >-
        JWT token signed with HS256 using the service API key secret. Tokens are short-lived
        and must include iss (service ID), iat (issued at), and exp (expiry) claims.

  schemas:

    SendSmsRequest:
      type: object
      required:
        - phone_number
        - template_id
      properties:
        phone_number:
          type: string
          description: UK mobile phone number of the recipient (E.164 format recommended)
          example: "+447900900123"
        template_id:
          type: string
          format: uuid
          description: UUID of the SMS template to use
        personalisation:
          type: object
          additionalProperties:
            type: string
          description: Key-value pairs to fill template placeholders
        reference:
          type: string
          description: Client-supplied unique reference for this notification
        sms_sender_id:
          type: string
          format: uuid
          description: UUID of the SMS sender to use (overrides service default)

    SendEmailRequest:
      type: object
      required:
        - email_address
        - template_id
      properties:
        email_address:
          type: string
          format: email
          description: Email address of the recipient
        template_id:
          type: string
          format: uuid
          description: UUID of the email template to use
        personalisation:
          type: object
          additionalProperties: true
          description: >-
            Key-value pairs to fill template placeholders. Use a link_to_file object value
            to send a file by email.
        reference:
          type: string
          description: Client-supplied unique reference for this notification
        one_click_unsubscribe_url:
          type: string
          format: uri
          description: HTTPS URL for one-click unsubscribe (recommended for bulk sends)
        email_reply_to_id:
          type: string
          format: uuid
          description: UUID of a reply-to email address configured on the service
        sanitise_content_for:
          type: array
          items:
            type: string
          description: Array of personalisation field names whose content should be sanitised

    LinkToFile:
      type: object
      required:
        - file
      properties:
        file:
          type: string
          format: byte
          description: Base64-encoded file content
        filename:
          type: string
          description: Optional filename for the download link
        confirm_email_before_download:
          type: boolean
          description: Whether the recipient must confirm their email before downloading
        retention_period:
          type: integer
          minimum: 1
          maximum: 78
          description: Number of weeks to retain the file (1–78)

    SendLetterRequest:
      type: object
      properties:
        template_id:
          type: string
          format: uuid
          description: UUID of the letter template (required for template-based letters)
        personalisation:
          type: object
          additionalProperties:
            type: string
          description: >-
            Address lines and template placeholder values. address_line_1, address_line_2,
            and address_line_3 are required minimum address fields.
        reference:
          type: string
          description: Client-supplied unique reference for this notification
        content:
          type: string
          format: byte
          description: Base64-encoded PDF content (for precompiled letters; mutually exclusive with template_id)
        postage:
          type: string
          enum: [first, second, economy]
          description: Postage class for precompiled letters

    NotificationResponse:
      type: object
      properties:
        id:
          type: string
          format: uuid
          description: UUID of the created notification
        reference:
          type: string
          description: Client reference (if provided)
        content:
          type: object
          description: Rendered notification content
          properties:
            body:
              type: string
              description: Rendered message body
            subject:
              type: string
              description: Rendered email subject (email notifications only)
            from_number:
              type: string
              description: SMS sender (SMS notifications only)
        uri:
          type: string
          format: uri
          description: API URL to retrieve this notification
        template:
          $ref: '#/components/schemas/TemplateRef'
        scheduled_for:
          type: string
          format: date-time
          nullable: true
          description: Scheduled send time (if applicable)

    Notification:
      type: object
      properties:
        id:
          type: string
          format: uuid
        reference:
          type: string
          nullable: true
        email_address:
          type: string
          format: email
          description: Recipient email (email notifications only)
        phone_number:
          type: string
          description: Recipient phone number (SMS notifications only)
        line_1:
          type: string
          description: First address line (letter notifications only)
        line_2:
          type: string
          nullable: true
        line_3:
          type: string
          nullable: true
        line_4:
          type: string
          nullable: true
        line_5:
          type: string
          nullable: true
        line_6:
          type: string
          nullable: true
        postcode:
          type: string
          nullable: true
        type:
          type: string
          enum: [email, sms, letter]
        status:
          type: string
          description: Current delivery status of the notification
        template:
          $ref: '#/components/schemas/TemplateRef'
        body:
          type: string
          description: Rendered notification body
        subject:
          type: string
          nullable: true
          description: Rendered email subject (email only)
        created_at:
          type: string
          format: date-time
        sent_at:
          type: string
          format: date-time
          nullable: true
        completed_at:
          type: string
          format: date-time
          nullable: true
        estimated_delivery:
          type: string
          format: date-time
          nullable: true
          description: Estimated delivery time (letter notifications)
        cost_in_pounds:
          type: number
          format: float
          nullable: true
          description: Cost of the notification in GBP
        cost_details:
          type: object
          nullable: true
          description: Breakdown of cost components
        postage:
          type: string
          nullable: true
          description: Postage class used (letter notifications only)
        created_by_name:
          type: string
          nullable: true
          description: Name of the user who sent the notification (if sent via UI)

    NotificationList:
      type: object
      properties:
        notifications:
          type: array
          items:
            $ref: '#/components/schemas/Notification'
        links:
          type: object
          properties:
            current:
              type: string
              format: uri
            next:
              type: string
              format: uri
              description: URL to retrieve the next page of results

    Template:
      type: object
      properties:
        id:
          type: string
          format: uuid
        name:
          type: string
        type:
          type: string
          enum: [email, sms, letter]
        created_at:
          type: string
          format: date-time
        updated_at:
          type: string
          format: date-time
          nullable: true
        created_by:
          type: string
          format: email
        version:
          type: integer
        body:
          type: string
          description: Raw template body with placeholder syntax
        subject:
          type: string
          nullable: true
          description: Email subject line (email templates only)
        letter_contact_block:
          type: string
          nullable: true
          description: Contact block for letter templates
        postage:
          type: string
          nullable: true
          description: Default postage class (letter templates only)
        personalisation:
          type: object
          nullable: true
          additionalProperties:
            type: object
            properties:
              required:
                type: boolean

    TemplateRef:
      type: object
      properties:
        id:
          type: string
          format: uuid
        version:
          type: integer
        uri:
          type: string
          format: uri

    TemplateList:
      type: object
      properties:
        templates:
          type: array
          items:
            $ref: '#/components/schemas/Template'

    TemplatePreviewRequest:
      type: object
      required:
        - personalisation
      properties:
        personalisation:
          type: object
          additionalProperties:
            type: string
          description: Key-value pairs to substitute into template placeholders

    TemplatePreview:
      type: object
      properties:
        id:
          type: string
          format: uuid
        type:
          type: string
          enum: [email, sms, letter]
        version:
          type: integer
        body:
          type: string
          description: Rendered template body with personalisation applied
        subject:
          type: string
          nullable: true
          description: Rendered email subject (email templates only)
        html:
          type: string
          nullable: true
          description: HTML-rendered body (email templates only)
        postage:
          type: string
          nullable: true
          description: Postage class (letter templates only)

    ReceivedTextMessage:
      type: object
      properties:
        id:
          type: string
          format: uuid
        user_number:
          type: string
          description: Phone number that sent the inbound message
        notify_number:
          type: string
          description: GOV.UK Notify number that received the message
        content:
          type: string
          description: Text content of the received message
        service_id:
          type: string
          format: uuid
        created_at:
          type: string
          format: date-time

    ReceivedTextMessageList:
      type: object
      properties:
        received_text_messages:
          type: array
          items:
            $ref: '#/components/schemas/ReceivedTextMessage'
        links:
          type: object
          properties:
            current:
              type: string
              format: uri
            next:
              type: string
              format: uri
              description: URL to retrieve the next page of results

    ErrorResponse:
      type: object
      properties:
        status_code:
          type: integer
        errors:
          type: array
          items:
            type: object
            properties:
              error:
                type: string
                description: Machine-readable error type
              message:
                type: string
                description: Human-readable error description

  responses:
    BadRequest:
      description: Validation error in request body or parameters
      content:
        application/json:
          schema:
            $ref: '#/components/schemas/ErrorResponse'
          example:
            status_code: 400
            errors:
              - error: "ValidationError"
                message: "phone_number is not a valid phone number"

    Forbidden:
      description: Authentication failed or API key lacks permission
      content:
        application/json:
          schema:
            $ref: '#/components/schemas/ErrorResponse'
          example:
            status_code: 403
            errors:
              - error: "AuthError"
                message: "Invalid token: API key not found"

    NotFound:
      description: Requested resource not found
      content:
        application/json:
          schema:
            $ref: '#/components/schemas/ErrorResponse'
          example:
            status_code: 404
            errors:
              - error: "NoResultFound"
                message: "No result found"

    RateLimited:
      description: Rate limit exceeded (3,000 messages per minute per API key)
      content:
        application/json:
          schema:
            $ref: '#/components/schemas/ErrorResponse'
          example:
            status_code: 429
            errors:
              - error: "TooManyRequestsError"
                message: "Exceeded send limits (3000) for today"

    ServerError:
      description: Internal server error
      content:
        application/json:
          schema:
            $ref: '#/components/schemas/ErrorResponse'
          example:
            status_code: 500
            errors:
              - error: "Exception"
                message: "Internal server error"