DBS Checks, ID and Documents
As part of a DBS application, applicants need to have their identity confirmed. The process for this is known as ID Verification. This is one of the most common things we are asked about.
In this guide, we hope to answer all the questions you’ve ever had about DBS Check and ID. You can find the full DBS ID Checking Guidelines on the DBS’ website.
What documents do you need for a DBS Check?
The documents that you need depend on which level of DBS Check you’ve applied for.
For Basic DBS Checks, you need to provide 2 forms of ID. Together, these need to confirm your full name, date of birth and current address.
The most common types of ID submitted in support of a Basic DBS application are passports, driving licences or bank statements.
There are around 20 different types of ID that are acceptable. You can find a comprehensive list and instructions in our Basic DBS ID Guide.
For Standard and Enhanced DBS applications, you need to submit 3 forms of ID. Together, these need to confirm your full name, date of birth and current address.
The most common types of ID submitted in support of a Standard and Enhanced DBS applications are passports, driving licences, bank statements, utility bills and council tax statements.
There are around 20 different types of ID that are acceptable. You can find a comprehensive list and instructions in our Standard and Enhanced DBS ID Guide.
How do I Check documents?
The DBS outline three options for verifying an applications ID:
Option one
The ID check should be done in person, allowing the ID checker to view the physical documents, or eVisa, or digital PASS card, in the presence of the individual.
If you cannot use option 1, the DBS recommend using digital identity verification before considering option 2.
Option two
The ID checker can conduct the ID check via video link – for example Google Meet or FaceTime. In these circumstances the ID checker must be in possession of the physical documents. These can be posted to the ID checker in advance of the virtual call. Any risks identified when using live video must be assessed and mitigated by you. You must not rely on the inspection of the documents via a live video link, or by checking a faxed or scanned copy of the document.
Option three
The ID check can be completed via video link – for example Google Meet or FaceTime – without the ID checker being in physical possession of the ID documents. The details of the documents, as set out above, must be recorded and stored at the time of the video link ID check. The documents must be presented to the ID checker on the first day of employment. The ID checker must record the date the ID check was completed in person and cross reference the details recorded from the video link ID check. If there are any discrepancies the DBS check may be invalid.
Each option must be tried and exhausted before you can move onto the next option. If you must use Option Two or Option Three to complete the ID verification, then must record a reason why the other options were impossible. Additionally, you must keeo a record of the documents used to validate the identity, for a minimum of 2 years. The rationale must be specific to the individual ID verification, it is not acceptable to default to the use of options two or three as part of your process.
Carrying out ID verification is very similar to carrying out a right-to-work check. Full guidance is beyond the scope of this page, you can find the comprehensive DBS ID Guidance here.
ID verifiers must not attempt to amend the application form without the applicant’s knowledge and agreement. If you encounter errors this must be raised with the applicant.
What are the different ID groups?
DBS ID guidelines classify documents into three different groups. These are Group 1, Group 2a and Group 2b.
Group 1 documents are your primary forms of ID and confirm right to work in the UK. Group 1 includes:
Passport
Driving licence photocard
Original Birth Certificate (issued within 12 months of birth) (UK and Channel Islands)
Adoption Certificate (UK and Channel Islands)
Biometric Residence Permit
For any level of DBS Check, applicants must provide at least one document from Group 1.
Group 2a and 2b include a much wider range of documents that can be used in support of a DBS application. These can be used in any combination, as long as a Group 1 document has been provided. At least one of them should confirm your current address.
If you can’t provide a document from Group 1, then things get a little more complicated. A different ‘route’ needs to be followed.
Different Routes to ID Verification.
There are three different routes to ID verification. Route 1, 2 and 3. Applicants cannot select which route they would like to go down. Rather, the organisation carrying our the ID verification needs to exhaust all the possibilities of each route before moving on to the next one.
So far in this article, the method we have referenced is Route 1 ID Verification. This involves submitting a Group 1 document and then 2 other supporting documents from the list (1 other for Basic DBS applications).
This is the most common method used.
Routes 2 and 3 get progressively more complicated.
Route 2:
Route 2 can only be started if it is impossible for an applicant to provide a Group 1 document.
To complete ID verification via Route 2, three documents need to be provided. One of these documents needs to be from Group 2a and the other two documents can be from Group 2a or Group 2b.
On top of this, applicants need to go through an external identity check with a third-party provider. Personnel Checks use Experian for this service.
If applicants can’t satisfy the requirements for this route, the next step is Route 3.
Route 3:
The requirements for Route 3 are very specific. Applicants need to provide 5 documents in total. One of these must be a reissued birth certificate (Group 2a), along with:
An additional document from Group 2a
Three additional documents from either Group 2a or 2b
At least one of these documents needs to confirm that applicants current address.
Fingerprint tests
If an applicant can’t meet the requirements for either Route 1, 2, or 3, then the DBS can arrange fingerprint tests to confirm identity. This is sometimes known as Route 4.
An appointment is made at your local police station, where a fingerprint test will be taken. An application form, including passport photographs, will also need to be submitted.
If it gets to this point, we strongly recommend against proceeding down this route. Fingerprint tests can take several months to arrange so can cause significant delays to the DBS process. It is usually quicker for a passport or provisional driving licence to be applied for then wait for a fingerprint test.
Speeding Things Up with Online Identity Verification
If you're looking to simplify how you collect and verify DBS documents, Online Identity Verification (OIDV) can help.
Instead of manually handling paper documents or chasing candidates for the right ID, OIDV lets applicants complete the process remotely using a secure app. It checks identity documents, facial biometrics and address data in one go — helping you stay compliant, save time, and reduce errors. You can learn more about how OIDV works here.