Does Your Address History Affect Your DBS Check?
The Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) need applicants to provide a lot of personal information on DBS application forms. An essential part of completing a DBS application is providing 5-years' worth of addresses. This information is a fundamental part of a DBS Check.
For some people, completing their address history is as simple as entering the details for one property. For others, it can be a bit more complicated.
This is why we’re often asked, ‘Does my address history affect my DBS Check?’. First, we need to look at how your address history is used to help complete your DBS Check.
How is address history used by the DBS?
The current address provided on a DBS application is one of the methods DBS Umbrella Bodies (like Personnel Checks) use to confirm your identity.
When you provide your proof of identity, during ID Verification, the address on these documents is cross-checked against the current address on your DBS application form. A DBS application can’t be submitted if your ID doesn’t match the current address you’ve provided on the form.
The DBS then use this history to make sure they are carrying out the necessary checks on the correct person.
The current address on the form is also the address where the DBS will post the DBS Certificate once a check has been completed.
Enhanced DBS Checks
Your address history can potentially impact the speed of your DBS Check, if you’re having an Enhanced DBS Check carried out.
This is because in the final stage of an Enhanced DBS Check (Stage 4), the application could be sent to the police. Enhanced DBS Checks include any notes from police forces that they consider relevant to the employer who is carrying out the DBS Check.
An Enhanced Check will end up at a police force if there’s a potential match against the details the DBS have on their systems.
If you have moved around extensively, then several police forces could be involved in the completion of your DBS Check. How fast they are at checking their systems directly affects the turnaround time of your DBS Check.
The importance of providing an accurate address history
Providing an accurate address history helps ensure a speedy turnaround for your DBS Check. Providing inaccurate information is a sure-fire way to make the process more difficult.
There are two main ways that this could cause problems.
First, if incorrect address information is given, but your DBS Check is completed, the certificate provided will be invalid. This is because the DBS cannot guarantee that the information on the certificate relates to the correct person.
This means that you would need to start the entire DBS process again.
Second, if the DBS discover the address information provided is incorrect, they will withdraw the DBS Check from the process. You would then need to start the entire process again.
This is why it is so important to ensure your information is correct before your DBS application is submitted.
The DBS used to allow applicants to amend errors with their address history. However, the number of people entering their address details incorrectly meant the DBS had to stop offering this as a solution.
Unusual Addresses
The DBS are aware that not everyone has a traditional address history. They have guidance and solutions on how to enter your address history, if you have an unusual address history. You can find our guide here.