What Documents Do You Need For A DBS Check Application?

When you apply for a DBS check, you need to provide certain documents as proof of identity. The documents that are acceptable as proof of identity vary depending on the type of check, whether it is Basic or Standard or Enhanced.

We have listed the documents that are provided for each DBS Check to support you when making your application for a DBS Check.

Documents for a Basic DBS check

Basic DBS checks are the lowest level of DBS check and only search an individual’s criminal record for unspent convictions. They tend to be used for jobs that require some kind of character check, but don’t involve working closely with vulnerable groups or in a position of high responsibility.

Basic DBS checks can be applied for online or on-paper (by post). Either way, for a basic DBS check application, you need to provide proof of identity documents as follows:

• A form of ID – a passport or driving licence
• A proof of address – utility bill, bank statement, credit card statement – dated within the last 3 months (or you can use your driving licence if it displays your current address and you didn’t use it as your form of ID).

Documents for a Standard or Enhanced DBS check

Document requirements for standard and enhanced checks are more complicated than those for a basic check. Also, unlike the basic check, standard and enhanced checks cannot be applied for directly by the individual themselves. Instead, the employer or hiring organisation or body, must apply on the individual’s behalf.

There are three different ways a person can provide documents:

• Option 1 – one document from group 1, and two documents from group 1, 2a or 2b.

If the applicant doesn’t have any documents from group 1, then move onto option 2.

• Option 2 – one document from group 2a, and two documents from 2a or 2b.

If the applicant cannot fulfil the requirements from option 1 or option 2, move onto option 3.

• Option 3 – a UK birth certificate, and one document from group 2a, and three documents from 2a or 2b.

The final option which is rarely used if the applicant cannot meet any of the above requirements is to provide fingerprints in person at a police station.

Here are the document groups referred to above:

Group 1 – Primary ID documents

• Passport (any valid and current passport)
• Biometric residence permit (UK only)
• Current driving licence photocard (from UK, Isle of Man, Channel Islands and EU, either full or provisional)
• Birth certificate (must have been issued within 12 months of birth in the UK, Isle of Man and Channel Islands and other authorised overseas UK territories for example HM Forces and diplomatic embassies)
• Adoption certificate (from UK and Channel Islands)

Group 2a – Government documents from trusted sources

• Current driving licence photocard (from UK, Isle of Man, Channel Islands and EU, either full or provisional)
• Current driving licence (from UK, Isle of Man, Channel Islands and EU, either full or provisional, paper version acceptable if it was issued prior to 1998)
• Birth certificate (must have been issued within 12 months of birth in the UK, Isle of Man and Channel Islands and other authorised overseas UK territories for example HM Forces and diplomatic embassies)
• Marriage or civil partnership certificate (from UK and Channel Islands)
• HM Forces ID card (UK only)
• Firearms licence (UK, Isle of Man, and Channel Islands)

Group 2b – Financial and/or local authority documents

• Mortgage statement (UK or EEA within last 12 months)
• Bank or building society statement (UK and Channel Islands or EEA within last 3 months)
• Bank or building society account opening confirmation letter (UK within last 3 months)
• Credit card statement (UK or EEA within last 3 months)
• Financial statement (e.g. pension or endowment – UK within last 12 months)
• P45 or P60 statement (UK and Channel Islands within last 12 months)
• Council Tax statement (UK and Channel Islands within last 12 months)
• Work permit or visa (UK – must be valid)
• Letter of sponsorship from future employment provider (Non-UK or non-EEA only – valid only for applicants residing outside of the UK at time of application)
• Utility bill (UK, not a mobile telephone bill, within last 3 months)
• Benefit statement (e.g. Child Benefit, Pension, UK, within last 3 months)
• Central or local government, government agency, or local council document giving entitlement (e.g. from the Department for Work and Pensions, the Employment Service, HMRC UK and Channel Islands, within last 3 months)
• EU National ID card (must be valid and in date)
• Cards carrying the PASS accreditation logo (UK, Isle of Man and Channel Islands, must be valid)
• Letter from head teacher or college principal UK (for 16 to 19 year olds in full time education. Only to be used in exceptional circumstances if other documents cannot be provided)

Please note that for all non-UK or nationals outside of the EEA, you must provide the original documentation and not photocopies.

Summary

To apply for a DBS check you must provide certain identification documents. Make sure you have them all ready before applying to a job that requires a DBS check.

You can apply for a basic DBS check online to speed up the process, and we can provide results within 24 hours. You can upload your documents through our processing team online.

Employers can also apply for standard and enhanced DBS checks online on behalf of applicants, but will need to see documents first and photocopy them.

To find out more about online DBS checks, or anything else related to DBS checks, get in touch with one of our helpful team members today.