What Documents Do Non-UK Citizens Need For A DBS Check?

When getting a DBS check, applicants must provide their employer with documents to confirm their identity. The specific types of documents, and the combinations required, are different depending on whether the applicant is a UK passport holder, whether they are carrying out voluntary work, and the documents the applicant actually possesses.

What combinations of documents are available for non-UK citizens?

The DBS outlines three “Routes” available for applicants. Each Route represents a different combination of documents, with applicants ideally being able to take Route 1, and moving on to 2 and 3 if they lack the documents required for Route 1.

However, non-UK citizens (those without a British Passport) may only use Route 1.

Documents are categorised into three “Groups”:

  • Group 1 – Primary Identity Documents
  • Group 2a – Trusted Government Documents
  • Group 2b – Financial and Social History Documents
What Documents Does A Non-UK Citizen Need For A DBS Check?

The list of Primary Documents for non-UK nationals is different depending on whether the applicant will be doing paid work or voluntary work. This is in order to confirm the paid applicants’ Right To Work.

Non-UK nationals applying for paid work must provide one ‘Primary Document’ from the “Primary Documents for Paid Working Non-UK Nationals” list below, along with a further two documents selected from Group 1, Group 2a, or Group 2b.

Non-UK nationals applying for voluntary work must provide one Group 1 document, along with a further two documents selected from Group 1, Group 2a, or Group 2b.


Document Groups

Primary Documents for Paid Working Non-UK Nationals

Applicants must provide one ‘Primary Document’ from the list below, along with a further two documents selected from Group 1, Group 2a, or Group 2b.

Documents and details
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.
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. (This can’t be used as a secondary document if it’s already being used as a primary document in this section.)
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.



Group 1: Primary Identity Documents

DocumentsNotes
PassportAny current and valid passport
Biometric residence permitUK
Current driving licence photocard – (full or provisional)UK, Isle of Man, and Channel Islands
Birth certificate – issued within 12 months of birthUK, Isle of Man, and Channel Islands – including those issued by UK authorities overseas, for example embassies, High Commissions and HM Forces
Adoption certificateUK and Channel Islands



Group 2a: Trusted Government Documents

DocumentsNotes
Current driving licence photocard – (full or provisional)All countries outside the UK (excluding Isle of Man and Channel Islands)
Current driving licence (full or provisional)UK, Isle of Man, and Channel Islands
Birth certificate – issued after time of birthUK, Isle of Man, and Channel Islands
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, Isle of Man, and Channel Islands



Group 2b: Financial & Social History Documents

DocumentsNotesIssue Date & Validity
Mortgage statementUKIssued in last 12 months
Bank or building society statementUK and Channel IslandsIssued in last 3 months
Bank or building society statementCountries outside the UKIssued in last 3 months – branch must be in the country where the applicant lives and works
Bank or building society account opening confirmation letterUKIssued in last 3 months
Credit card statementUKIssued in last 3 months
Financial statement, for example 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 onlyValid only for applicants residing outside of the UK at time of application. Must still be valid.
Utility billUK – not mobile telephone billIssued in last 3 months
Benefit statement, for example Child Benefit, pensionUKIssued in last 3 months
Government, government agency, or council document giving entitlement, for example 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, Isle of Man, and Channel IslandsMust 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 providedMust still be valid



What information is needed to fill out a DBS application form?

To apply, you will need the following information for the applicant:

  •  Title
  •  Forename
  •  Middle Names (if any)
  •  Surname
  •  Previous Names (any names they have been known by before)
  •  Date of Birth
  •  Place of Birth
  •  Gender
  •  Current Address
  •  At Least 5 Years Previous Address History (with no gaps)

Alternatively, using our online DBS application system, you can create an account for the applicant, and let them fill out the DBS application form themselves!



Summary: DBS Application Form Documents

If you’re applying for a DBS check, you’ll need to provide around three documents to prove your identity and address. The exact combination will be different depending on your circumstances, so if you’ve jumped straight to this summary, it’s well worth reading the rest of this page for guidance!

Our team of DBS experts are also available to answer questions if you’ve still got any! Our fast, simple, and affordable online DBS system processes hundreds of DBS applications for organisations like yours every day. If you’re interested in checks for your staff, or have any questions, feel free to get in touch at contact@aaronsdepartment.com or call 0113 877 0171.

Subscribe
Notify of
guest
0 Comments
Oldest
Newest Most Voted
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments