The person going through a DBS check - ‘the applicant’ - must give their employer original documents proving their identity. The documents needed will depend on the route the application takes. The applicant must try to provide documents from route 1 first.
Route 1
The applicant must be able to show:
- 1 document from Group 1, below
- 2 other documents from either Group 1 or Group 2a or 2b, below
At least 1 of the documents must show the applicant’s current address.
Route 2
If the applicant doesn’t have any of the documents in Group 1, then they must be able to show:
- 1 document from Group 2a
- 2 other documents from either Group 2a or 2b
At least 1 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.
Route 3
Route 3 can only be used if it hasn’t been possible to process the application through Routes 1 or 2.
For Route 3, the applicant must be able to show:
- a birth certificate issued after the time of birth (UK and Channel Islands)
- 1 document from Group 2a
- 3 further documents from Group 2a or 2b
At least 1 of the documents must show the applicant’s current address. If the applicant can’t provide these documents they may need to be fingerprinted.
Group 1: Primary identity documents
| Document | Notes |
|---|---|
| Passport | Any current and valid passport |
| Biometric residence permit | UK |
| Current driving licence – photo card with counterpart | UK/Isle of Man/Channel Islands (full or provisional) |
| Birth certificate - issued at time of birth | UK and Channel Islands – including those issued by UK authorities overseas, eg Embassies, High Commissions and HM Forces |
Group 2a: Trusted government documents
| Document | Notes |
|---|---|
| Current driving licence – old-style paper version | UK |
| Current photo driving licence | Non-UK licences must be valid for up to 12 months from the date the applicant entered the UK |
| Birth certificate – issued after time of birth | UK and Channel Islands |
| Marriage/civil partnership certificate | UK and Channel Islands |
| Adoption certificate | UK and Channel Islands |
| 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 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 account opening confirmation letter | UK | Issued in last 3 months |
| Credit card statement | UK or EEA | Issued in last 3 months |
| Financial statement, eg 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 |
| Work permit or visa | UK | Valid up to expiry date |
| 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, eg Child Benefit, Pension | UK | Issued in last 3 months |
| Central or local government, government agency, or local council document giving entitlement, eg from the Department for Work and Pensions, the Employment Service, HMRC | UK and Channel Islands | Issued in last 3 months |
| EU National ID card | - | Must still be valid |
| Cards carrying the PASS accreditation logo | UK 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 |
