What documents are required for a Basic criminal record check?
The documents required for a basic level criminal record check are listed below, with at least one confirming your date of birth. As part of the process, we will ask for two documents to ensure the minimum requirements are met. Please read this page for further information about which documents are accepted. If you have any questions about document requirements please contact one of the team on 0845 644 3298 or 0116 260 3055.
Routes of application – combination requirements
Route 1
- Route 1 requires a minimum of two original documents:
- At least one document must be from Group 1 (Passport or Drivers Licence taking priority)
- All documents must be within the date limits indicated below
- All address documents presented must show your current address (or one of your current addresses)
- All documents must be in a name declared on the form (joint names can be accepted, provided yours is clearly identifiable)
- Online or self-printed documents cannot be accepted under any circumstances
Route 2
Route 2 requires that you submit at least 1 document from Group 2a, plus two additional documents from any group. There
should be 3 documents in total. All documents must be in a name declared on the form. If you are unsure on the suitability of documents then you may include more than three documents.
Insufficient Documentation for Route 1 or 2
If you cannot provide sufficient documentation to meet the above requirements, please call us on 0845 644 3298 (from a
landline) or 0116 260 3055 (from a mobile). If you are unable to provide the required documents then you will not be able to
apply for a check.
What documents are accepted?
Below is a list of the documents that the DBS accept in support of a Basic Criminal Record Check application. The notes provide further guidance on the requirements for each document. Please read these carefully as some documents can change group or require supporting documents to validate them. For example, a Birth Certificate issued within 12 months of the date of birth is a Group 1 document, if it is issued after this it becomes a Group 2a document.
| Group 1: Primary identity documents | |
| Document | Notes |
| Passport | Current Valid Passport (UK or any country) UK expired passport are valid up to a maximum of 6 months |
| eVisa | (UK) Must contain the immigration status sharecode – starting with an ‘S’ |
| Biometric Residence Permit | UK Showing indefinite leave or no time limit. Valid up to 18 months past expiry date |
| Application Registration Card (ARC) | UK |
| Current Photocard Drivers Licence | UK, Isle of Man, and Channel Islands |
| Birth Certificate (Original) | (UK, Isle of Man, and Channel Islands) Only certificates issued within 12 months of date of birth. |
| Adoption Certificate | UK and Channel Islands |
| Group 2a: Trusted government documents | |
| Document | Notes |
| Current Photocard Driving Licence (non-UK) | All countries outside UK, non-EEA licences valid for 12 months of entry to the UK |
| Current UK Paper Driving Licence | Excludes paper counterpart or licence as previously issued |
| Birth Certificate (Non-Original) | (UK and Channel Islands) Issued 12+ months after the date of birth by the General Register Office/relevant authority i.e. registrars |
| Marriage/civil partnership certificate | UK and Channel Islands |
| Immigration document, Work Permit or Visa |
(Issued by a country outside the UK). Valid only for roles whereby the applicant is living and working outside of the UK. Visa/permit must relate to the non-UK country in which the role is based |
| HM Forces ID Card | UK |
| Firearms Licence | UK and Channel Islands |
| Group 2b: Financial and social history documents | ||
| Document | Notes | Issue date and validity |
| Mortgage statement | UK | Issued in last 12 months |
| Bank or building society statement | UK, Non-UK documents must be from a branch in the country where applicant lives/works) Only one statement per Bank/ Building Society. Online statements must be printed, stamped and dated by the Bank/Building Society |
Issued in last 3 months |
| Bank or building society account opening confirmation letter | UK – Only one letter per organisation | Issued in last 3 months |
| Credit card statement | UK – One statement per organisation | Issued in last 3 months |
| Financial statement, e.g. pension or endowment | UK e.g. Pension, endowment, ISA | Issued in last 12 months |
| P45 or P60 statement | UK and Channel Islands | Issued in last 12 months |
| Council Tax statement | UK and Channel Islands | Issued in last 12 months |
| Letter of sponsorship from future employment provider | Non-UK only. Valid only for applicants residing outside of the UK at time of application | Must still be valid |
| Utility bill | UK – not mobile telephone bill or TV licence. Only one bill per organisation | Issued in last 3 months |
| Benefit statement, e.g. Child Benefit, Pension | UK e.g. Child allowance, pension | Issued in last 12 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 | Issued in last 12 months |
| HMRC self-assessment letters or tax demand | Issued in last 12 months | |
| European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) or Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC) | Must be valid | |
| EEA National ID card | Must still be valid | |
| Irish Passport Card | Cannot be used with an Irish Passport | |
| Cards carrying the PASS accreditation logo | UK, Channel Islands and Isle of Man | Must still be valid |
| Letter from head teacher or college principal | UK – for 16 to 19 year olds in full time education. Only used in exceptional circumstances if other documents cannot be provided | Dated within 1 month |
| Non-UK Bank or building society statement | The Statement must relate to a bank or building society from the non-UK country in which the role is based. | Issued in last 3 months |
