What Documents Do I Need For A Standard DBS Check?

What Documents Do I Need For A Standard DBS Check?

A common question we are asked is, “What documents do I need for a Standard DBS Check?”

For a Standard DBS Check, ideally, you need to be able to provide the following documents:

  • One documents of identification, such as a passport, driving licence, or Birth Certificate (issued within 12 months of birth)
  • Two documents that verify your address, such as a utility bill, bank statement, or council tax letter.

Identity documents are known as Primary Identity Documents (Group 1 documents), and address documents are known as Trusted Government Documents (Group 2a documents) and Financial and Social History Documents (Group 2b documents). Providing one Group 1 document, and 2 further documents from Group 1, Group 2a, or Group 2b is the easiest, and fastest way.

The full list of documents that fall under each group can be seen below:

Group 1: Primary Identity Documents

Document

Notes

Passport

Any current and valid passport

Biometric residence permit

UK

Current photocard driving licence (full or provisional)

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

Adoption certificate

UK and Channel Islands

Group 2a: Trusted Government Documents

Document

Notes

Current photocard driving licence, full or provisional.

All countries outside the UK (excluding the Isle of Man and Channel Islands)

Current driving licence (full or provisional) – paper version (if issued before 1998)

UK, Isle of Man, and Channel Islands

Birth certificate, issued after time of birth

UK, Isle of Man and Channel Islands

Marriage or 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

UK

Firearms licence

UK, Channel Islands and Isle of Man

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 and Channel Islands

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 the applicant lives and works

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 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)

Issued in last 3 months

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, HMRC

UK and Channel Islands

Issued in last 3 months

EEA National ID card

Must still be valid

Cards carrying the PASS accreditation logo

UK, Isle of Man and Channel Islands

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

Must still be valid

What If I Can’t Provide a Group 1 Document for a Standard DBS?

If you cannot provide a document from Group 1, you will need to provide:

  • One document from Group 2a
  • Two further documents from Group 2a or 2b.

At least one of the documents must show the current address. Then you will have to undergo an external ID validation check.

What I Fail The External ID Check?

If all of the above fails, 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.
  • 3 further documents from Group 2a or 2b.

At least one of the documents must show the current address. If any of these can’t be provided, then fingerprinting is the only option left. You can read more about this via our What is the DBS Fingerprinting Process guide.

Summary – What Documents Do I Need For A Standard DBS Check?

To process a Standard DBS check, it is best if you can provide the following documents:

  • One documents of identification, such as a passport, driving licence, or Birth Certificate (issued within 12 months of birth)
  • Two documents that verify your address, such as a utility bill, bank statement, or council tax letter. 
What documents do i need for a standard dbs check

Further Reading

If you found our article, What Documents Do I Need For A Standard DBS Check useful, you may also want to read:

Can I Amend My DBS Once It Has Been Submitted?

What Is A Standard DBS Check For?

Top 5 DBS Check Misconceptions 


About The Author

me

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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