What do I Need For a DBS Check? – Handy 5 Minute Read

What do I Need For a DBS Check?

If you’re wondering ‘what do I need for a DBS check?’ then the short answer is: a handful of ID and documents. But which ones can you use? These will be different depending on a few factors, such as what you’re able to provide and where you’re from. This article contains a complete guide of the documents you can use for DBS checks, so keep it handy.

What do I Need For a DBS Check: UK National, or a Non-UK National Doing Voluntary Work Routes

The documents the applicant will need to provide depend on the route the application takes. Route 1 would be the ideal route, but if this is not possible, it will go to Route 2 or 3.

What do I Need For a DBS Check: Route 1 – UK National, or Non-UK National doing voluntary work

The table below shows a list of relevant documentation. The applicant must be able to show:

• One document from Group 1.
• Plus 2 further documents from either Group 1, or Group 2a or Group 2b.

At least one of the documents must show the current address.

If the applicant is unable to show these documents and is a non-UK National applying for voluntary work, they may need to be fingerprinted.

What do I Need For a DBS Check: Route 2 – UK Nationals Only

If the applicant doesn’t have any of the documents in Group 1, then they must be able to produce the documents shown in the diagram below:

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

At least one of the documents must show the current address. The organisation conducting the ID check must then also use an appropriate external ID validation service to check the application.

What do I Need For a DBS Check: Route 3 – UK Nationals Only

Route 3 can only be used if it’s impossible to process the application through Routes 1 or 2.

For Route 3, the applicant must be able to produce the documents shown in the diagram below:

• 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, and if the applicant can’t provide these documents, they may need to be fingerprinted.

What do I Need For a DBS Check: Identity Documents

Group 1: Primary Identity Documents

What do I Need For a DBS Check: Group 2a: Trusted Government Documents

*all driving licences must be valid

What do I Need For a DBS Check: Group 2b: Financial and Social History Documents

What do I Need for a DBS Check: Non-UK National Applicants

An applicant who wants to carry out paid work and isn’t a UK national must be able to show:

• 1 primary document.
• 2 supporting documents.

If an applicant is unable to provide this, then they can’t submit a DBS check because the right to work in the UK can’t be established, but they can’t use any other route.

Non-UK national applicants for voluntary work must use Route 1.

Non-UK nationals who are eligible for a DBS check and receiving payment for work must use the paid work route.

However, Route 1 can be used by adult household members:

• In a fostering household.
• In a child-minding household.
• In a host family.
• Living where ‘work with children’ takes place, e.g. living in a boarding school.

What Do I Need for a DBS Check: Documents for Paid Working Non-UK Nationals

The documents must be originals, not copies. At least one of the documents must show the applicant’s current address.

• A current passport or passport card showing that the holder is a national of Ireland.

• 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.

• 2A 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.

• 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.

• 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.

• 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 employer.

• 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.

• 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.

• 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.

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

• 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.

• 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.

• 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.

• 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.

What Do I Need for a DBS Check: Supporting Documents for Non-UK Applicants

The applicant must be able to show 2 documents from any of these groups.

Group 1

*A passport or biometric residence permit can only be used as a supporting document if it’s not already been used as a primary document.

Group 2a

*All driving licences must be valid.

What do I Need for a DBS Check: The Wrap-Up

If you’ve been wondering “what do I need for a DBS check” then hopefully we’ve given you the answers. However, if you need any more assistance with the DBS process, we have throughout our website detailed guidance on all aspects of the DBS checking process – from the different types of DBS checks, what they show, as well as who is eligible for which DBS check.

To access this information, please use the menu bar at the top of this page to navigate your way around the website.

If you are applying for a DBS check through Aaron’s Department, and are unsure about any of the information mentioned throughout this article (or any other matter), feel free to ring us at 0113 877 0171!

Alternatively, you can always drop us an email at contact@aaronsdepartment.com.