Accepted forms of ID - DBS

There are 3 routes of ID checking that an applicant can use in their DBS application:

Click here for the link.

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

At least one of the documents must show the applicant’s current address.

If the applicant isn’t a national of the UK or the EEA and is applying for voluntary work they may need to be fingerprinted if they can’t show these documents.

Route 2

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

If the applicant isn’t a national of the UK or the EEA and is applying for voluntary work they can’t use Route 2.

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

• one document from Group 2a 
• two further documents from either Group 2a or 2b

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

EEA nationals who’ve been resident in the UK for 5 years or less may need to be fingerprinted if they can’t show these documents.

Route 3

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

EEA nationals who’ve been resident in the UK for 5 years or less can’t use Route 3.

For Route 3, the applicant must be able to show:

• a birth certificate issued after the time of birth (UK, Isle of Man and Channel Islands) and
• one document from Group 2a and
• three further documents from Group 2a or 2b

At least one of the documents must show the applicant’s current address. If the applicant can’t provide these documents they may need to be fingerprinted.

Accepted documents

See a full list of the documents which are accepted and what group they fall into below:

Group 1: Primary identity documents 

• Passport Any current and valid passport
• Biometric residence permit UK
• Current driving licence photocard - (full or provisional) UK, Isle of Man, Channel Islands and EEA. 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

• Current driving licence photocard - (full or provisional) All countries outside the EEA (excluding Isle of Man and Channel Islands)
• Current driving licence (full or provisional) - paper version (if issued before 1998) UK, Isle of Man, Channel Islands and EEA
• 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 EEA. Valid only for roles whereby the applicant is living and working outside of the UK. Visa/permit must relate to the non EEA 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

• Mortgage statement UK or EEA Issued in last 12 months
• Bank or building society statement UK and Channel Islands or EEA Issued in last 3 months
• Bank or building society statement Countries outside the EEA 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 or EEA 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 or non-EEA 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

For more information, on things such as external ID checks (Experian), fingerprinting (Route 4), and the requirements for applicants who aren’t a national of the UK or the European Economic Area (EEA), please visit the following link: https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/656625/LATEST_021117_ID_checking_guidelines_for_DBS_checking_from_October_24th.pdf