ID Guidance - Basic Applications
Basic DBS Check ID Guidance
On this page you will find three separate lists of ID documents. Each list applies to a different method of ID verification.
There are three different types of ID verification: Online ID Verification (OIDV); Post Office In-branch Verification, which is the back up verification method for OIDV; and finally, Manual ID verification. Click any of the links below to jump to a section:
Post Office In-branch Verification
Where possible, all documents provided MUST present the exact same name which has been provided on the Subject’s DBS application form.
ACCEPTABLE ID FOR ONLINE ID VERIFICATION (OIDV)
YOU MUST CHOOSE 1 DOCUMENTS FROM THE BELOW LIST.
The list below covers all the documents that can be used when completing the OIDV process with Personnel Checks. The OIDV process is completed via our in-app portal by our identity service provider Yoti. If you would like any further information about the documents listed below, you can find more information on Yoti’s website, here.
Passports (accepted from over 200 countries)
Driving licences (accepted from over 100 countries)
National identity cards (accepted from over 60 countries)
UK CitizenCard
UK Young Scot Card
UK Post Office PASS Card
ACCEPTABLE ID FOR POST OFFICE IN-BRANCH VERIFICATION (IBV)
YOU MUST CHOOSE 2 DOCUMENTS FROM THE BELOW LIST. AT LEAST 1 OF THE DOCUMENTS MUST BE A PRIMARY ID DOCUMENT.
The list below covers all the documents that can be used when completing the Post Office In-Branch Verification (IBV). IBV is only initiated if a Subject fails to successfully complete the OIDV process. At the point where OIDV fails within the Personnel Checks web app, the Subject will be asked to confirm what documents they will be taking to the Post Office to complete IBV. A letter will then be generated confirming these and the time period for them to attend your IBV session at the Post Office they have selected.
Please note that the Post Office:
Can only accept valid, current, and original documentation
Cannot not accept photocopies
Cannot accept documentation printed from the internet e.g. internet bank statements
PRIMARY ID
Passport - Any current and valid passport. A UK passport can be expired up to a maximum of 6 months.
Driving license - Any current and valid driving licence (Full or Provisional).
National ID (EEA Countries only)
Biometric Residence Permit - Can only be used if they show indefinite leave to enter/remain. These can be used for 18 months past the expiry date on the card.
SUPPORTING DOCUMENTS
Utility bill e.g. gas, electric or water bill - must be an original received in the post (issued in the last 3 months) (UK)
Bank or Building Society Statement - must be a full bank statement and must be an original received in the post or a copy printed from your bank branch (UK and Channel Islands) (issued in the last 3 months)
Council tax bill (UK and Channel Islands) (issued in the past 12 months)
Broadband or landline bill (issued in the last 3 months)
HM Forces ID Card (UK)
PASS Card - Must still be valid.
Firearms Licence (UK, Channel Islands and Isle of Man)
Birth Certificate (within 12 months of DOB)
Birth Certificate (issued after 12 months from DOB)
Adoption Certificate (UK and Channel Islands).
Paper Driving Licence - cannot be a counterpart style driving licence (UK/Channel Islands)
Marriage/Civil Partnership Certificate (UK and Channel Islands). Must be an original document.
Bank Opening Letter (UK) (issued in the last 3 months)
Benefit Statement e.g. child allowance, pension (UK) (issued in the last 3 months)
Mortgage Statement (UK) (issued in the last 12 months)
Financial Statement e.g. pension, endowment, ISA (UK) (issued in the past 12 months)
P45 or P60 Statement (UK and Channel Islands) (issued in the past 12 months)
Employment Sponsorship Letter - (Non-UK) (valid only for applicants residing outside the UK at the time of the application)
Immigration Document/Visa/Work Permit - (Valid for roles whereby the applicant is living and working outside of the UK. The Visa/permit must relate to the non-UK country in which the role is based)
Education letter - Usually a letter from a headteacher or college principal (Applicable for 16-19 year olds in full-time education. Only used in exceptional circumstances when all other documents have been exhausted)
Veteran Card
Health Insurance Card (UK) Must still be valid.
Acceptable ID for Manual ID Verification
Choose 2 documents from the below list. At least 1 of the documents must be from Group 1. Collectively, the 2 documents you provide must confirm your name and Date of Birth.
Please note that we cannot accept screenshots or online copies of ID documents
GROUP 1
Passport - Any current and valid passport. A UK passport can be expired up to a maximum of 6 months.
Biometric Residence Permit (UK) - Can only be used if they show indefinite leave to enter/remain. These can be used for 18 months past the expiry date on the card.
e-Visa - Accessed via the ‘View and Prove’ service. The share code requested by the applicant should be a ‘general’ share code. If you do not have a UKVI account to access your eVisa you can create you can create one online (Get access to your online immigration status (eVisa) - GOV.UK).
Application Registration Card (ARC) - Issued by the Home Office. Must be checked against the Home Office Employer Checking Service.
Current Driving Licence Photo Card (Full or Provisional) (UK/Isle of Man/Channel Islands).
Original Birth Certificate (UK, Isle of Man, Channel Islands) (must be issued within 12 months of birth). Cannot be used for Post Office ID verification.
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 verification
Non-UK current driving licence photocard - (Full or provisional) (All countries outside the UK 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)
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 verification
HM Forces ID Card (UK)
Firearms Licence (UK, Channel Islands and Isle of Man)
Non-UK Immigration Document/Visa/Work permit
GROUP 2BBank or Building Society Statement - must be a full bank statement and must be an original received in the post or a copy printed from your bank branch (UK) (issued in the last 3 months)
Financial Statement e.g. pension, endowment, ISA (issued in the past 12 months)
Council Tax Statement (UK) (issued in the past 12 months)
Benefit Statement e.g. child allowance, pension (issued in the last 3 months)
EEA National ID Card
Mortgage Statement (UK) (issued in the past 12 months)
Credit card statement (UK) (issued in the last 3 months)
P45 / P60 statement (UK and Channel Islands) (issued in the past 12 months)
Utility Bill (UK) e.g. gas, electric or water bill - must be an original received in the post (issued in the last 3 months)
Cards carrying the PASS accreditation Logo (UK)
European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) or Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC) (UK) Must still be valid.
Central/Local Government/Government Agency/Local Authority document giving entitlement e.g. a letter from HM Revenues, a letter from your local council (issued in the last 3 months) (UK and Channel Islands)
HMRC self-assessment letters or tax demand letter (UK) Issued in last 12 months
Bank/Building Society Account opening confirmation letter (UK)
Letter from a Head Teacher or College Principal (16-19 year olds in full time education only used in exceptional circumstances when all other documents have been exhausted) (UK)
Letter of Sponsorship from future employment provider (Non-UK only) (Valid only for applicants residing outside the UK at the time of the application)
Non UK Bank or Building Society statement (Valid only for roles where the applicant is living or working outside of the UK. Statement must relate to a bank or building society statement from the country in which the applicant lives and works)
Irish Passport Card – must be valid (cannot be used with an Irish passport)
View the full Basic DBS Check ID guidance and policies