Java client documentation

This documentation is for developers interested in using the GOV.UK Notify Java client to send emails, text messages or letters.

Set up the client

Install the client

The notifications-java-client deploys to Maven Central.

Go to the GOV.UK Notify Java client page on Maven Central [external link]:

Select the most recent version.
Copy the dependency configuration snippet for your build tool.

Refer to the client changelog for the version number and the latest updates.

Create a new instance of the client

Add this code to your application:

import uk.gov.service.notify.NotificationClient;
NotificationClient client = new NotificationClient(apiKey);

To get an API key, sign in to GOV.UK Notify and go to the API integration page. You can find more information in the API keys section of this documentation.

If you use a proxy you can pass it into the NotificationClient constructor.

import uk.gov.service.notify.NotificationClient;
NotificationClient client = new NotificationClient(apiKey, proxy);

Send a message

You can use GOV.UK Notify to send text messages, emails and letters.

Send a text message

Method

SendSmsResponse response = client.sendSms(
    templateId,
    phoneNumber,
    personalisation,
    reference,
    smsSenderId
);

Arguments

templateId (required)

To find the template ID:

Sign in to GOV.UK Notify.
Go to the Templates page and select the relevant template.
Select Copy template ID to clipboard.

For example:

String templateId="f33517ff-2a88-4f6e-b855-c550268ce08a";

phoneNumber (required)

The phone number of the recipient of the text message. This number can be a UK or international number.

String phoneNumber="+447900900123";

personalisation (required)

If a template has placeholder fields for personalised information such as name or reference number, you must provide their values in a map. For example:

Map<String, Object> personalisation = new HashMap<>();
personalisation.put("first_name", "Amala");
personalisation.put("application_date", "2018-01-01");
personalisation.put("list", listOfItems); // Will appear as a comma separated list in the message

If a template does not have any placeholder fields for personalised information, you must pass in an empty map or null.

reference (required)

A unique identifier you create. This reference identifies a single unique notification or a batch of notifications. It must not contain any personal information such as name or postal address. If you do not have a reference, you must pass in an empty string or null.

String reference='STRING';

smsSenderId (optional)

A unique identifier of the sender of the text message notification.

To find the text message sender:

Sign in to GOV.UK Notify.
Go to the Settings page.
In the Text Messages section, select Manage on the Text Message sender row.

You can then either:

copy the sender ID that you want to use and paste it into the method
select Change to change the default sender that the service will use, and select Save

String smsSenderId='8e222534-7f05-4972-86e3-17c5d9f894e2'

You can leave out this argument if your service only has one text message sender, or if you want to use the default sender.

Response

If the request to the client is successful, the client returns a SendSmsResponse:

UUID notificationId;
Optional<String> reference;
UUID templateId;
int templateVersion;
String templateUri;
String body;
Optional<String> fromNumber;

If you are using the test API key, all your messages come back with a delivered status.

All messages sent using the team and guest list or live keys appear on your dashboard.

Error codes

If the request is not successful, the client returns a NotificationClientException containing the relevant error code:

httpResult	Message	How to fix
`400`	`[{` `"error": "BadRequestError",` `"message": "Can't send to this recipient using a team-only API key"` `}]`	Use the correct type of API key
`400`	`[{` `"error": "BadRequestError",` `"message": "Can't send to this recipient when service is in trial mode - see https://www.notifications.service.gov.uk/trial-mode"` `}]`	Your service cannot send this notification in trial mode
`403`	`[{` `"error": "AuthError",` `"message": "Error: Your system clock must be accurate to within 30 seconds"` `}]`	Check your system clock
`403`	`[{` `"error": "AuthError",` `"message": "Invalid token: API key not found"` `}]`	Use the correct API key. Refer to API keys for more information
`429`	`[{` `"error": "RateLimitError",` `"message": "Exceeded rate limit for key type TEAM/TEST/LIVE of 3000 requests per 60 seconds"` `}]`	Refer to API rate limits for more information
`429`	`[{` `"error": "TooManyRequestsError",` `"message": "Exceeded send limits (LIMIT NUMBER) for today"` `}]`	Refer to service limits for the limit number
`500`	`[{` `"error": "Exception",` `"message": "Internal server error"` `}]`	Notify was unable to process the request, resend your notification

Send an email

Method

SendEmailResponse response = client.sendEmail(
    templateId,
    emailAddress,
    personalisation,
    reference,
    emailReplyToId
);

Arguments

templateId (required)

To find the template ID:

Sign in to GOV.UK Notify.
Go to the Templates page and select the relevant template.
Select Copy template ID to clipboard.

For example:

String templateId="f33517ff-2a88-4f6e-b855-c550268ce08a";

emailAddress (required)

The email address of the recipient.

String emailAddress='sender@something.com';

personalisation (required)

If a template has placeholder fields for personalised information such as name or application date, you must provide their values in a map. For example:

Map<String, Object> personalisation = new HashMap<>();
personalisation.put("first_name", "Amala");
personalisation.put("application_date", "2018-01-01");
personalisation.put("list", listOfItems); // Will appear as a bulleted list in the message

If a template does not have any placeholder fields for personalised information, you must pass in an empty map or null.

reference (required)

String reference='STRING';

emailReplyToId (optional)

This is an email address specified by you to receive replies from your users. You must add at least one reply-to email address before your service can go live.

To add a reply-to email address:

Sign in to GOV.UK Notify.
Go to the Settings page.
In the Email section, select Manage on the Reply-to email addresses row.
Select Add reply-to address.
Enter the email address you want to use, and select Add.

String emailReplyToId='8e222534-7f05-4972-86e3-17c5d9f894e2'

You can leave out this argument if your service only has one reply-to email address, or you want to use the default email address.

Response

If the request to the client is successful, the client returns a SendEmailResponse:

UUID notificationId;
Optional<String> reference;
UUID templateId;
int templateVersion;
String templateUri;
String body;
String subject;
Optional<String> fromEmail;

Error codes

If the request is not successful, the client returns a NotificationClientException containing the relevant error code:

httpResult	Message	How to fix
`400`	`[{` `"error": "BadRequestError",` `"message": "Can't send to this recipient using a team-only API key"` `}]`	Use the correct type of API key
`400`	`[{` `"error": "BadRequestError",` `"message": "Can't send to this recipient when service is in trial mode - see https://www.notifications.service.gov.uk/trial-mode"` `}]`	Your service cannot send this notification in trial mode
`403`	`[{` `"error": "AuthError",` `"message": "Error: Your system clock must be accurate to within 30 seconds"` `}]`	Check your system clock
`403`	`[{` `"error": "AuthError",` `"message": "Invalid token: API key not found"` `}]`	Use the correct API key. Refer to API keys for more information
`429`	`[{` `"error": "RateLimitError",` `"message": "Exceeded rate limit for key type TEAM/TEST/LIVE of 3000 requests per 60 seconds"` `}]`	Refer to API rate limits for more information
`429`	`[{` `"error": "TooManyRequestsError",` `"message": "Exceeded send limits (LIMIT NUMBER) for today"` `}]`	Refer to service limits for the limit number
`500`	`[{` `"error": "Exception",` `"message": "Internal server error"` `}]`	Notify was unable to process the request, resend your notification

Send a file by email

To send a file by email, add a placeholder to the template then upload a file. The placeholder will contain a secure link to download the file.

The file will be available for the recipient to download for 18 months.

The links are unique and unguessable. GOV.UK Notify cannot access or decrypt your file.

Add contact details to the file download page

Sign in to GOV.UK Notify.
Go to the Settings page.
In the Email section, select Manage on the Send files by email row.
Enter the contact details you want to use, and select Save.

Add a placeholder to the template

Sign in to GOV.UK Notify.
Go to the Templates page and select the relevant email template.
Select Edit.
Add a placeholder to the email template using double brackets. For example:

“Download your file at: ((link_to_file))”

Upload your file

You can upload PDF, CSV, .odt, .txt, .rtf, .xlsx and MS Word Document files. Your file must be smaller than 2MB. Contact the GOV.UK Notify team if you need to send other file types.

Convert the PDF to a byte[].
Pass the byte[] to the personalisation argument.
Call the sendEmail method.

For example:

ClassLoader classLoader = getClass().getClassLoader();
File file = new File(classLoader.getResource("document_to_upload.pdf").getFile());
byte [] fileContents = FileUtils.readFileToByteArray(file);

HashMap<String, Object> personalisation = new HashMap();
personalisation.put("link_to_file", client.prepareUpload(fileContents));
client.sendEmail(templateId,
                 emailAddress,
                 personalisation,
                 reference,
                 emailReplyToId);

CSV Files

Uploads for CSV files should use the isCsv parameter on the prepareUpload() function. For example:

ClassLoader classLoader = getClass().getClassLoader();
File file = new File(classLoader.getResource("document_to_upload.pdf").getFile());
byte [] fileContents = FileUtils.readFileToByteArray(file);

HashMap<String, Object> personalisation = new HashMap();
personalisation.put("link_to_file", client.prepareUpload(fileContents, true));
client.sendEmail(templateId,
                 emailAddress,
                 personalisation,
                 reference,
                 emailReplyToId);

Error codes

If the request is not successful, the client returns an HTTPError containing the relevant error code.

error.status_code	error.message	How to fix
`400`	`[{` `"error": "BadRequestError",` `"message": "Can't send to this recipient using a team-only API key"` `}]`	Use the correct type of API key
`400`	`[{` `"error": "BadRequestError",` `"message": "Can't send to this recipient when service is in trial mode - see https://www.notifications.service.gov.uk/trial-mode"` `}]`	Your service cannot send this notification in trial mode
`400`	`[{` `"error": "BadRequestError",` `"message": "Unsupported file type '(FILE TYPE)'. Supported types are: '(ALLOWED TYPES)'"` `}]`	Wrong file type. You can only upload .pdf, .csv, .txt, .doc, .docx, .xlsx, .rtf or .odt files
`400`	`[{` `"error": "BadRequestError",` `"message": "File did not pass the virus scan"` `}]`	The file contains a virus
`400`	`[{` `"error": "BadRequestError",` `"message": "Send files by email has not been set up - add contact details for your service at https://www.notifications.service.gov.uk/services/(SERVICE ID)/service-settings/send-files-by-email"` `}]`	See how to add contact details to the file download page
`403`	`[{` `"error": "AuthError",` `"message": "Error: Your system clock must be accurate to within 30 seconds"` `}]`	Check your system clock
`403`	`[{` `"error": "AuthError",` `"message": "Invalid token: API key not found"` `}]`	Use the correct type of API key
`413`	`File is larger than 2MB`	The file is too big. Files must be smaller than 2MB
`429`	`[{` `"error": "RateLimitError",` `"message": "Exceeded rate limit for key type TEAM/TEST/LIVE of 3000 requests per 60 seconds"` `}]`	Refer to API rate limits for more information
`429`	`[{` `"error": "TooManyRequestsError",` `"message": "Exceeded send limits (LIMIT NUMBER) for today"` `}]`	Refer to service limits for the limit number
`500`	`[{` `"error": "Exception",` `"message": "Internal server error"` `}]`	Notify was unable to process the request, resend your notification.

Send a letter

When you add a new service it will start in trial mode. You can only send letters when your service is live.

To send Notify a request to go live:

Sign in to GOV.UK Notify.
Go to the Settings page.
In the Your service is in trial mode section, select request to go live.

Method

SendLetterResponse response = client.sendLetter(
    templateId,
    personalisation,
    reference
);

Arguments

templateId (required)

To find the template ID:

Sign in to GOV.UK Notify.
Go to the Templates page and select the relevant template.
Select Copy template ID to clipboard.

For example:

String templateId = "f33517ff-2a88-4f6e-b855-c550268ce08a";

personalisation (required)

The personalisation argument always contains the following parameters for the letter recipient’s address:

address_line_1
address_line_2
address_line_3
address_line_4
address_line_5
address_line_6
address_line_7

The address must have at least 3 lines.

The last line needs to be a real UK postcode or the name of a country outside the UK.

Notify checks for international addresses and will automatically charge you the correct postage.

The postcode personalisation argument has been replaced. If your template still uses postcode, Notify will treat it as the last line of the address.

Any other placeholder fields included in the letter template also count as required parameters. You must provide their values in a map. For example:

Map<String, Object> personalisation = new HashMap<>();
personalisation.put("address_line_1", "The Occupier"); // mandatory address field
personalisation.put("address_line_2", "Flat 2"); // mandatory address field
personalisation.put("address_line_3", "SW14 6BH"); // mandatory address field, must be a real UK postcode
personalisation.put("first_name", "Amala"); // field from template
personalisation.put("application_date", "2018-01-01"); // field from template
personalisation.put("list", listOfItems); // Will appear as a bulleted list in the message

If a template does not have any placeholder fields for personalised information, you must pass in an empty map or null.

reference (required)

String reference='STRING';

Response

If the request to the client is successful, the client returns a SendLetterResponse:

UUID notificationId;
Optional<String> reference;
UUID templateId;
int templateVersion;
String templateUri;
String body;
String subject;

Error codes

If the request is not successful, the client returns a NotificationClientException containing the relevant error code:

httpResult	Message	How to fix
`400`	`[{` `"error": "BadRequestError",` `"message": "Cannot send letters with a team api key"` `}]`	Use the correct type of API key.
`400`	`[{` `"error": "BadRequestError",` `"message": "Cannot send letters when service is in trial mode - see https://www.notifications.service.gov.uk/trial-mode"` `}]`	Your service cannot send this notification in trial mode.
`400`	`[{` `"error": "ValidationError",` `"message": "personalisation address_line_1 is a required property"` `}]`	Ensure that your template has a field for the first line of the address, refer to personalisation for more information.
`400`	`[{` `"error": "ValidationError",` `"message": "Must be a real UK postcode"` `}]`	Ensure that the value for the last line of the address is a real UK postcode.
`400`	`[{` `"error": "ValidationError",` `"message": "Last line of address must be a real UK postcode or another country"` `}]`	Ensure that the value for the last line of the address is a real UK postcode or the name of a country outside the UK.
`403`	`[{` `"error": "AuthError",` `"message": "Error: Your system clock must be accurate to within 30 seconds"` `}]`	Check your system clock.
`403`	`[{` `"error": "AuthError",` `"message": "Invalid token: API key not found"` `}]`	Use the correct API key. Refer to API keys for more information.
`429`	`[{` `"error": "RateLimitError",` `"message": "Exceeded rate limit for key type TEAM/TEST/LIVE of 3000 requests per 60 seconds"` `}]`	Refer to API rate limits for more information.
`429`	`[{` `"error": "TooManyRequestsError",` `"message": "Exceeded send limits (LIMIT NUMBER) for today"` `}]`	Refer to service limits for the limit number.
`500`	`[{` `"error": "Exception",` `"message": "Internal server error"` `}]`	Notify was unable to process the request, resend your notification.

Send a precompiled letter

Method

LetterResponse response = client.sendPrecompiledLetter(
    reference,
    precompiledPDFAsFile
    );

LetterResponse response = client.sendPrecompiledLetterWithInputStream(
    reference,
    precompiledPDFAsInputStream
    );

LetterResponse response = client.sendPrecompiledLetter(
    reference,
    precompiledPDFAsFile,
    postage
    );

LetterResponse response = client.sendPrecompiledLetterWithInputStream(
    reference,
    precompiledPDFAsInputStream,
    postage
    );

Arguments

reference (required)

A unique identifier you create. This reference identifies a single unique notification or a batch of notifications. It must not contain any personal information such as name or postal address.

String reference="STRING";

precompiledPDFAsFile (required for the sendPrecompiledLetter method)

The precompiled letter must be a PDF file which meets the GOV.UK Notify letter specification.

This argument adds the precompiled letter PDF file to a Java file object. The method sends this Java file object to GOV.UK Notify.

File precompiledPDF = new File("<PDF file path>");

precompiledPDFAsInputStream (required for the sendPrecompiledLetterWithInputStream method)

The precompiled letter must be an InputStream. This argument adds the precompiled letter PDF content to a Java InputStream object. The method sends this InputStream to GOV.UK Notify.

InputStream precompiledPDFAsInputStream = new FileInputStream(pdfContent);

postage (optional)

You can choose first or second class postage for your precompiled letter. Set the value to first for first class, or second for second class. If you do not pass in this argument, the postage will default to second class.

Response

If the request to the client is successful, the client returns a LetterResponse:

UUID notificationId;
String reference;
String postage

Error codes

If the request is not successful, the client returns a NotificationClientException containing the relevant error code:

httpResult	Message	How to fix
`400`	`[{` `"error": "BadRequestError",` `"message": "Cannot send letters with a team api key"` `}]`	Use the correct type of API key
`400`	`[{` `"error": "BadRequestError",` `"message": "Cannot send letters when service is in trial mode - see https://www.notifications.service.gov.uk/trial-mode"` `}]`	Your service cannot send this notification in trial mode
`400`	`[{` `"error": "ValidationError",` `"message": "personalisation address_line_1 is a required property"` `}]`	Send a valid PDF file
`400`	`[{` `"error": "ValidationError",` `"message": "reference is a required property"` `}]`	Add a reference argument to the method call
`400`	`[{` `"error": "ValidationError",` `"message": "postage invalid. It must be either first or second. "` `}]`	Change the value of postage argument in the method call to either ‘first’ or 'second’
`403`	`[{` `"error": "AuthError",` `"message": "Error: Your system clock must be accurate to within 30 seconds"` `}]`	Check your system clock
`403`	`[{` `"error": "AuthError",` `"message": "Invalid token: API key not found"` `}]`	Use the correct API key. Refer to API keys for more information
`429`	`[{` `"error": "RateLimitError",` `"message": "Exceeded rate limit for key type TEAM/TEST/LIVE of 3000 requests per 60 seconds"` `}]`	Refer to API rate limits for more information
`429`	`[{` `"error": "TooManyRequestsError",` `"message": "Exceeded send limits (LIMIT NUMBER) for today"` `}]`	Refer to service limits for the limit number
`400`	`"message":"precompiledPDF must be a valid PDF file"`	Send a valid PDF file
`400`	`"message":"reference cannot be null or empty"`	Populate the reference parameter
`400`	`"message":"precompiledPDF cannot be null or empty"`	Send a PDF file with data in it

Get message status

Get the status of one message

You can only get the status of messages sent within the retention period. The default retention period is 7 days.

Method

Notification notification = client.getNotificationById(notificationId);

Arguments

notificationId (required)

The ID of the notification. To find the notification ID, you can either:

check the response to the original notification method call
sign in to GOV.UK Notify and go to the API integration page

Response

If the request to the client is successful, the client returns a Notification:

UUID id;
Optional<String> reference;
Optional<String> emailAddress;
Optional<String> phoneNumber;
Optional<String> line1;
Optional<String> line2;
Optional<String> line3;
Optional<String> line4;
Optional<String> line5;
Optional<String> line6;
Optional<String> line7;
Optional<String> postage;
String notificationType;
String status;
UUID templateId;
int templateVersion;
String templateUri;
String body;
Optional<String subject;
DateTime createdAt;
Optional<DateTime> sentAt;
Optional<DateTime> completedAt;
Optional<DateTime> estimatedDelivery;
Optional<String> createdByName;

Error codes

If the request is not successful, the client returns a NotificationClientException containing the relevant error code:

httpResult	Message	How to fix
`400`	`[{` `"error": "ValidationError",` `"message": "id is not a valid UUID"` `}]`	Check the notification ID
`403`	`[{` `"error": "AuthError",` `"message": "Error: Your system clock must be accurate to within 30 seconds"` `}]`	Check your system clock
`403`	`[{` `"error": "AuthError",` `"message": "Invalid token: API key not found"` `}]`	Use the correct API key. Refer to API keys for more information
`404`	`[{` `"error": "NoResultFound",` `"message": "No result found"` `}]`	Check the notification ID

Get the status of multiple messages

This API call returns one page of up to 250 messages and statuses. You can get either the most recent messages, or get older messages by specifying a particular notification ID in the olderThanId argument.

You can only get the status of messages that are 7 days old or newer.

Method

NotificationList notification = client.getNotifications(
    status,
    notificationType,
    reference,
    olderThanId
);

To get the most recent messages, you must pass in an empty olderThanId argument or null.

To get older messages, pass the ID of an older notification into the olderThanId argument. This returns the next oldest messages from the specified notification ID.

Arguments

You can pass in empty arguments or null to ignore these filters.

status (optional)

You can filter by each:

email status
text message status
letter status
precompiled letter status

You can leave out this argument to ignore this filter.

notificationType (optional)

You can filter by:

email
sms
letter

reference (optional)

A unique identifier you create if necessary. This reference identifies a single unique notification or a batch of notifications. It must not contain any personal information such as name or postal address.

String reference='STRING';

olderThanId (optional)

Input the ID of a notification into this argument. If you use this argument, the client returns the next 250 received notifications older than the given ID.

String olderThanId='8e222534-7f05-4972-86e3-17c5d9f894e2'

If you pass in an empty argument or null, the client returns the most recent 250 notifications.

Response

If the request to the client is successful, the client returns a NotificationList:

List<Notification> notifications;
String currentPageLink;
Optional<String> nextPageLink;

Error codes

If the request is not successful, the client returns a NotificationClientException containing the relevant error code:

httpResult	Message	How to fix
`400`	`[{` `"error": "ValidationError",` `"message": "bad status is not one of [created, sending, sent, delivered, pending, failed, technical-failure, temporary-failure, permanent-failure, accepted, received]"` `}]`	Contact the GOV.UK Notify team
`400`	`[{` `"error": "ValidationError",` `"message": "Applet is not one of [sms, email, letter]"` `}]`	Contact the GOV.UK Notify team
`403`	`[{` `"error": "AuthError",` `"message": "Error: Your system clock must be accurate to within 30 seconds"` `}]`	Check your system clock
`403`	`[{` `"error": "AuthError",` `"message": "Invalid token: API key not found"` `}]`	Use the correct API key. Refer to API keys for more information

Email status descriptions

Status	Description
#`created`	GOV.UK Notify has placed the message in a queue, ready to be sent to the provider. It should only remain in this state for a few seconds.
#`sending`	GOV.UK Notify has sent the message to the provider. The provider will try to deliver the message to the recipient for up to 72 hours. GOV.UK Notify is waiting for delivery information.
#`delivered`	The message was successfully delivered.
#`permanent-failure`	The provider could not deliver the message because the email address was wrong. You should remove these email addresses from your database.
#`temporary-failure`	The provider could not deliver the message. This can happen when the recipient’s inbox is full or their anti-spam filter rejects your email. Check your content does not look like spam before you try to send the message again.
#`technical-failure`	Your message was not sent because there was a problem between Notify and the provider. You’ll have to try sending your messages again.

Text message status descriptions

Status	Description
#`created`	GOV.UK Notify has placed the message in a queue, ready to be sent to the provider. It should only remain in this state for a few seconds.
#`sending`	GOV.UK Notify has sent the message to the provider. The provider will try to deliver the message to the recipient for up to 72 hours. GOV.UK Notify is waiting for delivery information.
#`pending`	GOV.UK Notify is waiting for more delivery information. GOV.UK Notify received a callback from the provider but the recipient’s device has not yet responded. Another callback from the provider determines the final status of the text message.
#`sent`	The message was sent to an international number. The mobile networks in some countries do not provide any more delivery information. The GOV.UK Notify website displays this status as 'Sent to an international number’.
#`delivered`	The message was successfully delivered.
#`permanent-failure`	The provider could not deliver the message. This can happen if the phone number was wrong or if the network operator rejects the message. If you’re sure that these phone numbers are correct, you should contact GOV.UK Notify support. If not, you should remove them from your database. You’ll still be charged for text messages that cannot be delivered.
#`temporary-failure`	The provider could not deliver the message. This can happen when the recipient’s phone is off, has no signal, or their text message inbox is full. You can try to send the message again. You’ll still be charged for text messages to phones that are not accepting messages.
#`technical-failure`	Your message was not sent because there was a problem between Notify and the provider. You’ll have to try sending your messages again. You will not be charged for text messages that are affected by a technical failure.

Letter status descriptions

Status	Description
#`accepted`	GOV.UK Notify has sent the letter to the provider to be printed.
#`received`	The provider has printed and dispatched the letter.
#`cancelled`	Sending cancelled. The letter will not be printed or dispatched.
#`technical-failure`	GOV.UK Notify had an unexpected error while sending the letter to our printing provider.
#`permanent-failure`	The provider cannot print the letter. Your letter will not be dispatched.

Precompiled letter status descriptions

Status	Description
#`accepted`	GOV.UK Notify has sent the letter to the provider to be printed.
#`received`	The provider has printed and dispatched the letter.
#`cancelled`	Sending cancelled. The letter will not be printed or dispatched.
#`pending-virus-check`	GOV.UK Notify has not completed a virus scan of the precompiled letter file.
#`virus-scan-failed`	GOV.UK Notify found a potential virus in the precompiled letter file.
#`validation-failed`	Content in the precompiled letter file is outside the printable area. See the GOV.UK Notify letter specification for more information.
#`technical-failure`	GOV.UK Notify had an unexpected error while sending the letter to our printing provider.
#`permanent-failure`	The provider cannot print the letter. Your letter will not be dispatched.

Get a PDF for a letter notification

Method

This returns the PDF contents of a letter notification.

byte[] pdfFile = client.getPdfForLetter(notificationId)

Arguments

notificationId (required)

The ID of the notification. To find the notification ID, you can either:

check the response to the original notification method call
sign in to GOV.UK Notify and go to the API integration page

Response

If the request to the client is successful, the client will return a byte[] object containing the raw PDF data.

Error codes

If the request is not successful, the client returns a NotificationClientException containing the relevant error code:

error.status_code	error.message	How to fix
`400`	`[{` `"error": "ValidationError",` `"message": "id is not a valid UUID"` `}]`	Check the notification ID
`400`	`[{` `"error": "PDFNotReadyError",` `"message": "PDF not available yet, try again later"` `}]`	Wait for the notification to finish processing. This usually takes a few seconds
`400`	`[{` `"error": "BadRequestError",` `"message": "File did not pass the virus scan"` `}]`	You cannot retrieve the contents of a letter notification that contains a virus
`400`	`[{` `"error": "BadRequestError",` `"message": "PDF not available for letters in technical-failure"` `}]`	You cannot retrieve the contents of a letter notification in technical-failure
`400`	`[{` `"error": "ValidationError",` `"message": "Notification is not a letter"` `}]`	Check that you are looking up the correct notification
`403`	`[{` `"error": "AuthError",` `"message": "Error: Your system clock must be accurate to within 30 seconds"` `}]`	Check your system clock
`403`	`[{` `"error": "AuthError",` `"message": "Invalid token: API key not found"` `}]`	Use the correct API key. Refer to API keys for more information
`404`	`[{` `"error": "NoResultFound",` `"message": "No result found"` `}]`	Check the notification ID

Get a template

Get a template by ID

Method

This returns the latest version of the template.

Template template = client.getTemplateById(templateId);

Arguments

templateId (required)

The ID of the template. Sign in to GOV.UK Notify and go to the Templates page to find it.

String templateId='f33517ff-2a88-4f6e-b855-c550268ce08a';

Response

If the request to the client is successful, the client returns a Template:

UUID id;
String name;
String templateType;
DateTime createdAt;
Optional<DateTime> updatedAt;
String createdBy;
int version;
String body;
Optional<String> subject;
Optional<Map<String, Object>> personalisation;
Optional<String> letterContactBlock;

Error codes

If the request is not successful, the client returns a NotificationClientException containing the relevant error code:

httpResult	Message	How to fix
`403`	`[{` `"error": "AuthError",` `"message": "Error: Your system clock must be accurate to within 30 seconds"` `}]`	Check your system clock
`403`	`[{` `"error": "AuthError",` `"message": "Invalid token: API key not found"` `}]`	Use the correct API key. Refer to API keys for more information
`404`	`[{` `"error": "NoResultFound",` `"message": "No Result Found"` `}]`	Check your template ID

Get a template by ID and version

Method

Template template = client.getTemplateVersion(templateId, version);

Arguments

templateId (required)

The ID of the template. Sign in to GOV.UK Notify and go to the Templates page to find it.

String templateId='f33517ff-2a88-4f6e-b855-c550268ce08a';

version (required)

The version number of the template.

Response

If the request to the client is successful, the client returns a Template:

UUID id;
String name;
String templateType;
DateTime createdAt;
Optional<DateTime> updatedAt;
String createdBy;
int version;
String body;
Optional<String> subject;
Optional<Map<String, Object>> personalisation;
Optional<String> letterContactBlock;

Error codes

If the request is not successful, the client returns a NotificationClientException containing the relevant error code:

httpResult	message	How to fix
`400`	`[{` `"error": "ValidationError",` `"message": "id is not a valid UUID"` `}]`	Check the notification ID
`403`	`[{` `"error": "AuthError",` `"message": "Error: Your system clock must be accurate to within 30 seconds"` `}]`	Check your system clock
`403`	`[{` `"error": "AuthError",` `"message": "Invalid token: API key not found"` `}]`	Use the correct API key. Refer to API keys for more information
`404`	`[{` `"error": "NoResultFound",` `"message": "No Result Found"` `}]`	Check your template ID and version

Get all templates

Method

This returns the latest version of all templates.

TemplateList templates = client.getAllTemplates(templateType);

Arguments

templateType (optional)

If you do not use templateType, the client returns all templates. Otherwise you can filter by:

email
sms
letter

Response

If the request to the client is successful, the client returns a TemplateList:

List<Template> templates;

If no templates exist for a template type or there no templates for a service, the templates list is empty.

Generate a preview template

Method

This generates a preview version of a template.

TemplatePreview templatePreview = client.getTemplatePreview(
    templateId,
    personalisation
);

The parameters in the personalisation argument must match the placeholder fields in the actual template. The API notification client ignores any extra fields in the method.

Arguments

templateId (required)

The ID of the template. Sign in to GOV.UK Notify and go to the Templates page to find it.

String templateId='f33517ff-2a88-4f6e-b855-c550268ce08a';

personalisation (required)

If a template has placeholder fields for personalised information such as name or application date, you must provide their values in a map. For example:

Map<String, Object> personalisation = new HashMap<>();
personalisation.put("first_name", "Amala");
personalisation.put("application_date", "2018-01-01");

If a template does not have any placeholder fields for personalised information, you must pass in an empty map or null.

Response

If the request to the client is successful, the client returns a TemplatePreview:

UUID id;
String templateType;
int version;
String body;
Optional<String> subject;
Optional<String> html;

Error codes

If the request is not successful, the client returns a NotificationClientException containing the relevant error code:

httpResult	message	How to fix
`400`	`[{` `"error": "BadRequestError",` `"message": "Missing personalisation: [PERSONALISATION FIELD]"` `}]`	Check that the personalisation arguments in the method match the placeholder fields in the template
`400`	`[{` `"error": "NoResultFound",` `"message": "No result found"` `}]`	Check the template ID
`403`	`[{` `"error": "AuthError",` `"message": "Error: Your system clock must be accurate to within 30 seconds"` `}]`	Check your system clock
`403`	`[{` `"error": "AuthError",` `"message": "Invalid token: API key not found"` `}]`	Use the correct API key. Refer to API keys for more information

Get received text messages

This API call returns one page of up to 250 received text messages. You can get either the most recent messages, or get older messages by specifying a particular notification ID in the olderThanId argument.

You can only get messages that are 7 days old or newer.

You can also set up callbacks for received text messages.

Enable received text messages

Contact the GOV.UK Notify team using the support page or chat to us on Slack to request a unique number for text message replies.

Get a page of received text messages

Method

ReceivedTextMessageList response = client.getReceivedTextMessages(olderThanId);

To get the most recent messages, you must pass in an empty argument or null.

To get older messages, pass the ID of an older notification into the olderThanId argument. This returns the next oldest messages from the specified notification ID.

Arguments

olderThanId (optional)

Input the ID of a received text message into this argument. If you use this argument, the client returns the next 250 received text messages older than the given ID.

String olderThanId='8e222534-7f05-4972-86e3-17c5d9f894e2'

If you pass in an empty argument or null, the client returns the most recent 250 text messages.

Response

If the request to the client is successful, the client returns a ReceivedTextMessageList that returns all received texts.

private List<ReceivedTextMessage> receivedTextMessages;
private String currentPageLink;
private String nextPageLink;

The ReceivedTextMessageList has the following properties:

private UUID id;
private String notifyNumber;
private String userNumber;
private UUID serviceId;
private String content;
private DateTime createdAt;

If the notification specified in the olderThanId argument is older than 7 days, the client returns an empty response.

Error codes

If the request is not successful, the client returns a NotificationClientException containing the relevant error code:

httpResult	Message	How to fix
`403`	`[{` `"error": "AuthError",` `"message": "Error: Your system clock must be accurate to within 30 seconds"` `}]`	Check your system clock
`403`	`[{` `"error": "AuthError",` `"message": "Invalid token: API key not found"` `}]`	Use the correct API key. Refer to API keys for more information

Testando

Todos os testes ocorrem no ambiente de produção. Não há ambiente de teste para Gov.br Notifica.

Teste de fumaça

Se você precisar de teste de fumaça no Notifica regularmente, você deve usar os seguintes números de telefone e endereços de e-mail para teste de fumaça.

Número de telefone
07700900000
07700900111
07700900222

Endereço de e-mail
simulate-delivered@notifications.service.gov.uk
simulate-delivered-2@notifications.service.gov.uk
simulate-delivered-3@notifications.service.gov.uk

Os números de telefone e endereços de e-mail do teste de fumaça validarão a solicitação e simularão uma resposta bem-sucedida, mas não enviarão uma mensagem real, produzirão um recibo de entrega ou manterão a notificação no banco de dados.

Você pode usar esses números e endereços de teste de fumaça com qualquer tipo de chave de API.

Você pode testar todas as funções do cliente Notificação API, exceto:

Obtenha o status de uma mensagem
Obtenha o status de todas as mensagens

Você não pode usar os números de telefone ou endereço de e-mail do teste de fumaça com essas funções porque eles retornam um falso notification_ID. Se você precisar testar essas funções, use uma chave API de teste e qualquer outro número de telefone ou e-mail.

Outros testes

Você deve usar uma chave de API de teste para fazer um teste sem fumaça, como teste de desempenho ou integração. Você pode usar qualquer número de telefone ou endereço de e-mail de teste que não seja de fumaça. Você não precisa de uma conta de teste específica do Gov.br Notifica.

Chaves da API

Existem três tipos diferentes de chaves de API:

teste
lista de equipe e de convidados
ao vivo

Quando você configura um novo serviço, ele começa em modo de teste. Um serviço em modo de teste pode criar chaves de lista de teste e equipe e de convidados. Você deve ter um serviço ativo para criar uma chave ativa.

Para criar uma chave de API:

Faça login no Gov.br Notifica.
Vá para a página de Integração da API.
Selecione chaves de API.
Selecione Criar uma chave da API.

Teste

Use uma chave de teste para testar o desempenho de seu serviço e sua integração com Gov.br Notifica.

Mensagens enviadas usando uma chave de teste:

gerar respostas realistas
resulta em um status entregue
não são realmente entregues a um destinatário
não aparecem no seu painel
não conte para as suas mensagens de texto e e-mail

Para testar as respostas de falha com uma chave de teste, use os seguintes números e endereços:

Número de telefone / endereço de e-mail	Resposta
07700900003	`temporary-failure`
07700900002	`permanent-failure`
temp-fail@simulator.notify	`temporary-failure`
perm-fail@simulator.notify	`permanent-failure`
qualquer outro número ou endereço válido	`delivered`

Você não precisa revogar as chaves de teste.

Equipe e lista de convidados

Uma chave de equipe e lista de convidados permite que você envie mensagens reais aos membros de sua equipe e endereços / números em sua lista de convidados enquanto seu serviço ainda está em modo de teste.

Você receberá um erro se usar essas teclas para enviar mensagens a alguém que não esteja em sua equipe ou na sua lista de convidados.

As mensagens enviadas com uma chave de equipe e lista de convidados aparecem em seu painel e contam em sua mensagem de texto e e-mail.

Você não precisa revogar as chaves da equipe e da lista de convidados.

Ao Vivo (Produção)

Você só pode criar chaves ativas (produção) quando o serviço estiver ativo (produção). Você pode usar as chaves ativas para enviar mensagens para qualquer pessoa.

As mensagens enviadas com uma chave ativa aparecem no seu painel e contam contra as suas mensagens de texto e e-mail.

Você deve revogar e recriar essas chaves regularmente. Para revogar uma chave:

Faça login no Gov.br Notifica.
Vá para a página de Integração da API.
Selecione chaves de API.
Selecione Revogar para a chave de API que você deseja revogar.

Você pode ter mais de uma chave ativa por vez.

Você nunca deve enviar mensagens de teste para números ou endereços inválidos usando uma chave ativa.

Limites

Limites de taxa

Você está limitado a enviar 1.000 mensagens por minuto.

Esse limite é calculado em uma base contínua, por tipo de chave de API. Se você exceder o limite, obterá o erro 429 RateLimitError.

Limites diários

Há um limite para o número de mensagens que você pode enviar por dia:

Status do serviço	Tipo de chave API	Limite diário
Ao vivo	Equipe ou ao vivo	150,000
Trial	Equipe	50
Ao vivo ou trial	Teste	Ilimitada

Esses limites são redefinidos à meia-noite.

Limites da rede telefônica

Se você enviar mensagens de texto repetidamente para o mesmo número, as redes telefônicas as bloquearão.

Existe um limite por hora de:

20 mensagens com o mesmo conteúdo
100 mensagens com qualquer conteúdo

Suas mensagens não podem ser entregues se você exceder esses limites.

Chamadas de retorno

Chamadas de retorno são quando o Gov.br Notifica envia solicitações POST para o seu serviço. Você pode obter retornos de chamada quando:

uma mensagem de texto ou e-mail que você enviou foi entregue ou falhou <!– seu serviço recebe uma mensagem de texto –>

Configurar chamadas de retorno

Você deve fornecer:

um URL onde o Gov.br Notifica postará o retorno para a chamada
um token de portador que o Gov.br Notifica colocará no cabeçalho de autorização das solicitações

Para fazer isso:

Faça login no Gov.br Notifica.
Vá para a página de Integração da API.
Selecione Callbacks.

Recibos de entrega

Quando você envia um e-mail ou mensagem de texto, o Gov.br Notifica envia um recibo para o seu URL de retorno com o status da mensagem. Este é um método automatizado para obter o status das mensagens.

Esta funcionalidade funciona com chaves de API de teste, mas não funciona com números de telefone ou endereços de e-mail de teste de fumaça.

A mensagem de retorno de chamada é formatada em JSON. A chave, a descrição e o formato dos argumentos da mensagem de retorno de chamada serão:

Chave	Descrição	Formato
`id`	ID de notificação para os recibos de status	UUID
`reference`	A referência enviada pelo serviço	12345678
`to`	O endereço de e-mail ou número de telefone do destinatário	hello@gov.uk ou 07700912345
`status`	O status da notificação	`delivered`, `permanent-failure`, `temporary-failure` ou `technical-failure`
`created_at`	A hora em que o serviço enviou a solicitação	`2017-05-14T12:15:30.000000Z`
`completed_at`	A última vez que o status foi atualizado	`2017-05-14T12:15:30.000000Z` ou nulo
`sent_at`	A hora em que a notificação foi enviada	`2017-05-14T12:15:30.000000Z` ou nulo
`notification_type`	O tipo de notificação	`email` ou `sms`

Arquitetura da API

Envie uma mensagem

Importante ressaltar que a parte da resposta entre o recipient e o provider ainda não estão disponíveis no Notifica Gov.Br

Obter status da mensagem

Suporte

Relate quaisquer problemas através da página de suporte de notificação do Gov.br Notifica.