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 and one confirming the current address. As part of the process, we will ask for three 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.

Please note that if you are applying as a non-UK national you will be required to provide additional documents from Group 1a to activate your primary identity documents. If you are unable to provide the correct combination or number of documents meeting the DBS requirements, you will be unable to apply for a basic level criminal record check.

Routes of application – combination requirements

Route 1

  • You must provide three documents as a minimum
  • One document must be from Group 1
  • Two more documents from any group
  • Documents must confirm your name, date of birth and current address

Route 1a

  • This route is for Non-UK applicants only
  • You must provide three documents in total
  • One document must be from Group 1a, with the corresponding document requirements
  • Two more documents from any group
  • Documents must confirm your name, date of birth and current address

Route 2

  • you must provide three documents as a minimum
  • At least one document must be from Group 2a
  • Two more documents must be from Group 2a or 2b
  • Documents must confirm your name, date of birth and current address

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

DocumentNotes
PassportAny current and valid passport
Current Biometric residence permitUK
Current photocard driving licence
UK/Isle of Man/Channel Islands (full or provisional). All licences must be valid in line with current DVLA requirements
Birth certificate – issued within 12 months of date of birth

UK and Channel Islands – including those issued by UK authorities overseas, eg embassies, High Commissions and HM Forces

Adoption certificate

UK and Channel Islands

 

Group 2a: Trusted government documents

DocumentNotes
Current driving licence – photo card (non-UK)All countries outside the UK (full or provisional). All licences must be valid in line with current DVLA requirements
Current driving licence – paper versionUK/Isle of Man/Channel Islands (full or provisional). All licences must be valid in line with current DVLA requirements
Birth certificate – issued more than 12 months after date of birthUK, Channel Islands and Isle of Man
Marriage/civil partnership certificateUK and Channel Islands
Immigration document, visa or work permitIssued 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 cardUK
Firearms licenceUK, Channel Islands and Isle of Man

Group 2b: Financial and social history documents

DocumentNotesIssue date and validity
Mortgage statementUKIssued in last 12 months
Bank or building society statementUK and Channel IslandsIssued in last 3 months
Bank or building society account opening confirmation letterUKIssued in last 3 months
Credit card statementUKIssued in last 3 months
Financial statement, e.g. pension or endowmentUKIssued in last 12 months
P45 or P60 statementUK and Channel IslandsIssued in last 12 months
Council Tax statementUK and Channel IslandsIssued in last 12 months
Letter of sponsorship from future employment providerNon-UK only. Valid only for applicants residing outside of the UK at time of applicationMust still be valid
Utility billUK – not mobile telephone billIssued in last 3 months
Benefit statement, e.g. Child Benefit, PensionUKIssued in 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, HMRCUK and Channel IslandsIssued in last 3 months
EEA National ID cardMust still be valid
Irish Passport CardCannot be used with an Irish PassportMust still be valid
Cards carrying the PASS accreditation logoUK, Channel Islands and Isle of ManMust still be valid
Letter from head teacher or college principalUK – for 16 to 19 year olds in full time education. Only used in exceptional circumstances if other documents cannot be provided
Non-UK Bank or building society statementThe 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

Group 1a: Primary identity documents for non-UK nationals needing a DBS check for paid work in the UK

A current passport or passport card showing that the holder is a national of the Republic of Ireland.UK
A current document issued by the Home Office to a family member of an EEA or Swiss citizen, and which indicates that the holder is permitted to stay in the United Kingdom indefinitely.UK
A current Biometric Immigration Document (Biometric Residence Permit) issued by the Home Office to the holder indicating that the person named is allowed to stay indefinitely in the UK, or has no time limit on their stay in the UK.IK
Online evidence of immigration status. Either via the View and Prove service or using the BRP or BRC online service. Issued by the Home Office to the employer or prospective employer, which indicates that the named person may stay in the UK and is permitted to do the work in question. Must be valid. Note: this includes the EUSS digital status confirmation

UK

A current Passport endorsed to show that the holder is exempt from immigration control, is allowed to stay indefinitely in the UK, has the right of abode in the UK, or has no time limit on their stay in the UK

Any current and valid Passport

A current Immigration Status Document issued by the Home Office to the holder with an endorsement indicating that the named person is allowed to stay indefinitely in the UK or has no time limit on their stay in the UK, together with an official document giving the person’s permanent National Insurance number and their name issued by a Government agency or a previous employerUK
A current Passport endorsed to show that the holder is allowed to stay in the UK and is currently allowed to do the type of work in question

Any current and valid Passport

A current Biometric Immigration Document (Biometric Residence Permit) issued by the Home Office to the holder which indicates that the named person can currently stay in the UK and is allowed to do the work in question.

UK

A current document issued by the Home Office to a family member of an EEA or Swiss citizen, and which indicates that the holder is permitted to stay in the United Kingdom for a time limited period and to do the type of work in question.

UK

A frontier worker permit issued under regulation 8 of the Citizens’ Rights (Frontier Workers) (EU Exit) Regulations 2020.

UK

A current Immigration Status Document containing a photograph issued by the Home Office to the holder with a valid endorsement indicating that the named person may stay in the UK, and is allowed to do the type of work in question, together with an official document giving the person’s permanent National Insurance number and their name issued by a Government agency or a previous employer

UK

A document issued by the Home Office showing that the holder has made an application for leave to enter or remain under Appendix EU to the immigration rules on or before 30 June 2021 together with a Positive Verification Notice from the Home Office Employer Checking Service.

UK, with additional documents

An Application Registration Card issued by the Home Office stating that the holder is permitted to take the employment in question, together with a Positive Verification Notice from the Home Office Employer Checking Service

UK, with additional documents

A Positive Verification Notice issued by the Home Office Employer Checking Service to the employer or prospective employer, which indicates that the named person may stay in the UK and is permitted to do the work in question.

UK