Guide

Acceptable ID Documents

Acceptable forms of ID for a standard DBS check can be chosen from the three routes below:

Route 1
The applicant must be able to show:
  • One document from Group 1, below
  • Two further documents from either Group 1, or Group 2a, or 2b, below

The combination of documents presented must confirm your name and date of birth.

Route 2
If you don't have any of the documents in Group 1, then you must be able to show:
  • One document from Group 2a
  • Two further documents from either Group 2a or 2b

The combination of documents presented must confirm your name and date of birth.

Route 3
Route 3 can only be used if it’s impossible to process the application through Routes 1 or 2. For Route 3, you must be able to show:
  • A Birth Certificate issued after the time of birth (UK, Isle of Man and Channel Islands)
  • One document from Group 2a
  • Three further documents from Group 2a or 2b

The combination of documents presented must confirm your name and date of birth.

Group 1: Primary Identity Documents

  • Passport: Any current and valid passport. A UK passport can be expired up to a maximum of 6 months.
  • eVisa: Accessed via the ‘View and Prove’ service. The share code requested by the applicant should be an ‘immigration status’ share code. If you do not have a UKVI account to access your eVisa you can create you can create one online (Get access to your online immigration status (eVisa) - GOV.UK)
  • Application Registration Card (ARC): Issued by the Home Office. Must be checked against the Home Office Employer Checking Service.
  • Current Driving Licence photocard (Full or Provisional): Current and valid photocard driving licence issued by UK, Isle of Man, and Channel Islands. From 8 June 2015, the paper counterpart to the photocard driving licence will not be valid and will no longer be issued by DVLA
  • Birth Certificate (issued within 12 months of birth): UK, Isle of Man, and Channel Islands - including those issued by UK authorities overseas, for example embassies, High Commissions and HM Forces. Must be original birth certificate. Certified copies are a group 2a document
  • Adoption Certificate: UK and Channel Islands

Group 2a: Trusted Government Documents

  • Current Driving Licence photocard (Full or Provisional): Current and valid. All countries outside the UK (excluding Isle of Man and Channel Islands)
  • Current Driving Licence photocard (Full or Provisional) (Paper version if issued before March 2000): Current and valid. UK, Isle of Man, and Channel Islands. For a paper licence to be valid it must be issued before March 2000 and all information, including name and address, must be up to date.
  • Birth Certificate (issued after time of birth): UK, Isle of Man, and Channel Islands
  • Marriage/Civil Partnership Certificate: UK and Channel Islands
  • Immigration document, Visa, or Work Permit: 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 or HM Armed Forces Veteran card: UK
  • Firearms Licence: UK, Isle of Man, and Channel Islands

Group 2b: Financial & Social History Documents

  • Mortgage Statement: UK (issued in last 12 months)
  • Bank or Building Society Statement: UK and Channel Islands. A printed copy of a bank statement that is endorsed with a stamp and signed by the bank is acceptable if you cannot have hard copy bank statements posted to you (issued in last 3 months).
  • Bank or Building Society Statement: Countries outside the UK (issued in last 3 months). Branch must be in the country where you live and work).
  • Bank or Building Society account opening confirmation letter: UK (issued in last 3 months)
  • Credit Card Statement: UK (issued in last 3 months)
  • Financial Statement, for example Pension or Endowment: UK (issued in last 3 months)
  • P45 or P60 Statement: UK and Channel Islands (issued in last 12 months). This cannot be an online document.
  • Council Tax Statement: UK and Channel Islands (issued in last 12 months)
  • Letter of Sponsorship from future UK employment provider: Valid only for applicants residing outside of the UK at time of application. Must still be valid.
  • Utility Bill: UK (issued in last 3 months). This cannot be a mobile telephone bill, and cannot be printed from an online account. 
  • Benefit Statement, for example Child Benefit, Pension: UK (issued in last 3 months)
  • Central or Local government, government agency, or local council document giving entitlement, for example from the Department for Work and Pensions, the Employment Service, Local Authority: UK and Channel Islands (issued in last 12 months). This must be a letter confirming entitlement to benefits. For example: Personal Independence Payment (PIP), free school meals, Universal Credit, asylum support etc.
  • HMRC Self-Assessment letters or Tax Demand letters: UK (issued in last 12 months)
  • European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) or Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC): UK. Must still be valid.