Standard or enhanced dbs check - ID GUIDANCE FOR THE ID VERIFIER


Here is a list of valid ID documents which can be used when applying for a Basic DBS Check 

All documents you provide MUST present the exact same name which you have provided on your DBS application form. If you wish to check the exact way your name has been presented on your application form, please log into your DBS application using the login details previously sent to you and click ‘my account’.

In order to find the correct ID documents, please select whether you are an EEA National. If you are unsure what an EEA National is, please click here

Is the applicant an EEA National?
Yes – click here for a list of acceptable ID documents
No – click here for a list of acceptable ID documents

Important information: there are currently no plans to change the DBS ID guidance or list of acceptable ID documents as a result of the UK leaving the EU from 31st January 2020.


UK Nationals: Acceptable ID Documents


Choose 3 documents from the below list. At least 1 of the documents must be from Group 1.
Collectively, the 3 documents you provide must confirm your name, date of birth and current address.

Group 1
• Passport
• Biometric Residence Permit (UK)
• Current Driving Licence Photo Card (UK/Isle of Man/Channel Islands and EU)
• Original Birth Certificate (UK, Isle of Man, Channel Islands) (must be issued within 12 months of
   birth). Cannot be used for Post Office ID verifcation.
• Adoption Certificate (UK and Channel Islands)


Group 2a
• Certified copy of Birth Certificate (UK, Isle of Man & Channel Islands) (issued after time of birth).
   Cannot be used for Post Office ID verifcation.
• Current Driving Licence Photo Card (All countries outside the EEA excluding the Isle of Man and
   Channel Islands)
• Old Style Paper Driving Licence - cannot be a counterpart style driving licence (UK/Isle Of Man/Channel Islands and EEA)
• Marriage/Civil Partnership Certificate (UK and Channel Islands). Must be an original document,
   we cannot accept a photocopy. Cannot be used for Post Office ID verifcation.
• HM Forces ID Card (UK)
• Firearms Licence (UK, Channel Islands and Isle of Man)
• Immigration Document/Visa/Work permit (Valid only for roles whereby the applicant is living and
   working outside of the UK. The Visa/permit must relate to the non EEA country in which the role
   is based)


Group 2b
• Mortgage Statement (UK or EEA) (issued in the last 12 months)
• Bank or Building Society Statement - must be a full bank statement and must be an original recieved in the post or a copy printed
   from your bank branch (UK and Channel Islands or EEA) (issued in the last 3 months)
• Non EEA Bank or Building Society Statement (issued in the last 3 months) - branch must be in
   the country where the applicant lives and works
• Financial Statement e.g. pension, endowment, ISA (UK) (issued in the past 12 months)
• Council Tax Statement (UK) (issued in the past 12 months)
• Benefit Statement e.g. child allowance, pension (UK) (issued in the last 3 months)
• EEA National ID Card
• Credit card statement (UK or EEA) (issued in the last 3 months)
• P45 / P60 statement (UK) (issued in the past 12 months)
• Utility Bill e.g. gas, electric or water bill - must be an original recieved in the post (issued in the last 3 months)
• Central/Local Government/Government Agency/Local Authority document e.g. a letter from HM
   Revenues, a letter from your local council (issued in the last 3 months)
• Cards carrying the PASS accreditation Logo (UK)
• Bank/Building Society Account opening confirmation letter (UK) (issued in the last 3 months)
• Letter from a Head Teacher - must still be valid (UK) (16-19 year olds in full time education only
   used in exceptional circumstances when all other documents have been exhausted)
• Letter of Sponsorship from future employment provider (non-UK/non-EEA) (valid only for
   applicants residing outside the UK at the time of the application)
• Irish Passport Card – must be valid (cannot be used with an Irish passport)


View the full Standard & Enhanced DBS Check ID guidance


Non UK Nationals: Acceptable ID Documents


Choose 3 documents from the below list. At least 1 of the documents must be from Group 1a.
Collectively, the 3 documents you provide must confirm your name, date of birth and current address.

Group 1a
• 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
• 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 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 Permanent Residence Card issued by the Home Office to the family member of a national of a
   European Economic Area country or Switzerland
• 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 Certificate of Application issued by the Home Office under regulation 17(3) or 18A (2) of the
   Immigration (European Economic Area) Regulations 2006, to a family member of a national of
   a European Economic Area country or Switzerland stating that the holder is permitted to take
   employment, which is less than 6 months old 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 current Residence Card (including an Accession Residence Card or a Derivative Residence
   Card) issued by the Home Office to a non-European Economic Area national who is a family
   member of a national of a European Economic Area country or Switzerland or who has a
   derivative right of residence
• 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 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 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
• Passport
• Biometric Residence Permit (UK)
• Current Driving Licence Photo Card (UK/Isle of Man/Channel Islands and EU)
• Original Birth Certificate (UK, Isle of Man, Channel Islands) (must be issued within 12 months of
   birth). Cannot be used for Post Office ID verifcation.
• Adoption Certificate (UK and Channel Islands)


Group 2a
• Copy of Birth Certificate (UK, Isle of Man & Channel Islands) (issued after time of birth). Cannot
   be used for Post Office ID verifcation.
• Current Driving Licence Photo Card (All countries outside the EEA excluding the Isle of Man and
   Channel Islands)
• Old Style Paper Driving Licence - cannot be a counterpart style driving licence (UK/Isle Of Man/Channel Islands and EEA)
• Marriage/Civil Partnership Certificate (UK and Channel Islands). Must be an original document,
   we cannot accept a photocopy. Cannot be used for Post Office ID verifcation.
• HM Forces ID Card (UK)
• Firearms Licence (UK, Channel Islands and Isle of Man)
• Immigration Document/Visa/Work permit (Valid only for roles whereby the applicant is living and
   working outside of the UK. The Visa/permit must relate to the non EEA country in which the role
   is based)


Group 2b
• Mortgage Statement (UK or EEA) (issued in the last 12 months)
• Bank or Building Society Statement - must be a full bank statement and must be an original recieved in the post or a copy printed
   from your bank branch (UK and Channel Islands or EEA) (issued in the last 3 months)
• Non EEA Bank or Building Society Statement (issued in the last 3 months) - branch must be in
   the country where the applicant lives and works
• Financial Statement e.g. pension, endowment, ISA (UK) (issued in the past 12 months)
• Council Tax Statement (UK) (issued in the past 12 months)
• Benefit Statement e.g. child allowance, pension (UK) (issued in the last 3 months)
• EEA National ID Card
• Credit card statement (UK or EEA) (issued in the last 3 months)
• P45 / P60 statement (UK) (issued in the past 12 months)
• Utility Bill e.g. gas, electric or water bill - must be an original recieved in the post (issued in the last 3 months)
• Central/Local Government/Government Agency/Local Authority document e.g. a letter from HM
   Revenues, a letter from your local council (issued in the last 3 months)
• Cards carrying the PASS accreditation Logo (UK)
• Bank/Building Society Account opening confirmation letter (UK) (issued in the last 3 months)
• Letter from a Head Teacher - must still be valid (UK) (16-19 year olds in full time education only
   used in exceptional circumstances when all other documents have been exhausted)
• Letter of Sponsorship from future employment provider (non-UK/non-EEA) (valid only for
   applicants residing outside the UK at the time of the application)
• Irish Passport Card – must be valid (cannot be used with an Irish passport)


View the full Standard & Enhanced DBS Check ID guidance