FAQ: DBS Proof Of Address Documents

So, you’ve got some photo ID to prove your identity for our DBS check? You’ll also need to provide proof of address. There’s a range of documents that can be accepted as DBS proof of address, and we’ll cover them here.

List Of Acceptable DBS Proof Of Address Documents

DBS proof of address documents, also known as Group 2 Documents, are more numerous compared to DBS proof of identity documents (Group 1).

Group 2 is subdivided into two groups: Group 2a, trusted government documents, and 2b, which comprises financial and social history documents. These lists can be viewed below:

Group 2a: Trusted Government Documents

*To use a driving licence as DBS proof of address or identity, it must be valid (current address, and current name).

Group 2b: Financial and Social History Documents

What If An Applicant Doesn’t Have Any Group 2 Documents?

If an applicant has no DBS proof of address documents from group 2, they won’t be able to do their DBS online – they’ll have to use a paper application. This is more inconvenient, time-consuming, and expensive than an online application, but it’s the only way if the applicant has no Group 2 Documents.

They will also need to visit a police station for fingerprinting – you can read more about this process here.

Common Unacceptable DBS Proof Of Address Documents

We’re often asked, “can we use this as evidence?”, “can we use that as evidence?”, and that’s fine! We’re the experts, and we’re here to ask if you’ve got any questions. But to save you the trouble, here are the answers to a few of the most common ones:

Old Addresses

We get a lot of calls from customers asking if they can use a Group 2 document with an old address on as evidence. It may seem obvious to readers of this article, but these callers just aren’t aware that the primary function of Group 2 documents is DBS proof of address.

Needless to say, these can’t be accepted as DBS proof of address!

Invalid Driving Licences

Driving Licences can be used as Group 1 documents, or Group 2a documents. Either way, it must be in the applicant’s current name and address.

If you use a driving licence as evidence, the DBS application form requires you to input the licence number. Part of this number is generated using the applicant’s name, so the DBS will know if an outdated licence is being used by somebody who has changed name.

Digital Documents

Documents in a digital format cannot be accepted as evidence, the main reason being that they are incredibly easy to tamper with.

For example, many applicants will try to use a digital bank statement as a Group 2b document, but this isn’t permitted. Unfortunately, it’s not as simple as printing out your digital document either, as these also can’t be accepted.

Bank statements are, of course, an accepted document, but they must be an original physical copy, issued by the bank in-branch or by post.

Digital ID Verification

If you get your staff DBS checks with Aaron’s Department, we offer a digital ID checking service. This means that, by using an app (or web browser), your applicant can have their documents and identity confirmed online. This is considered acceptable evidence by the DBS, and you won’t have to check any documents in-person!

It’s especially handy if your applicant lives a long way away, or isn’t comfortable posting valuable ID documents. To learn more, visit our dedicated page: DBS Digital ID Checks by Aaron’s Department

Summary: DBS Proof Of Address

There are dozens of DBS proof of address documents that you can use as evidence for your DBS check. The most common ones are financial statements, tax statements, and utility bills.

These documents need to be physical (as opposed to digital), up-to-date originals, not copies.

If you need any advice, or DBS checks for your staff, feel free to get in touch!

Further Reading

If you found our blog post, “FAQ: DBS Proof Of Address Documents” useful, you might find these articles useful too:

• DBS Evidence Checking Guidance
• What is a digital ID check?
• Post Office Document Checking Services
• Official DBS Evidence Checking Guidelines (advanced)
• What Documents Do I Need For An Enhanced DBS Check?

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About The Author

John Schofield-Antoncich

John has processed more applications than days he has been alive, and has become the DBS expert. Got a question? He knows the answer!

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