What is In-branch ID Verification for DBS Checks?
In-branch verification is a new identity verification (IDV) service that has been introduced by the Post Office and our partner Yoti. This method of IDV is compliant with the DBS’ new IDV guidance that was introduced in April 2025 and offers an alternative IDV solution if a Subject fails online IDV whilst completing their DBS application.
In this article, we’ll break down exactly what in-branch verification involves and how it is embedded within the Personnel Checks web app.
What is In-branch ID Verification?
In-branch verification (IBV) lets an applicant prove their identity face to face at a participating Post Office. It’s powered by our partner Yoti and aligns with the DBS’s 2025 identity guidance for Standard and Enhanced checks. In practice, it’s the fallback when online identity verification (OIDV) doesn’t complete successfully.
IBV is available in selected branches across the UK, and the results are sent back to the organisation that requested the check. This keeps everything together in the Personnel Checksd app, meaning you keep a single, auditable trail.
According to Post Office, 97% of people in the UK live within 10 miles of a participating branch.
When would I choose IBV?
IBV is primarily used as a fall back method for OIDV. If a Subject can’t complete OIDV (for example, they don’t have suitable documents to hand, or run into device issues), you can route them to IBV instead of doing your own in-person check. This solution allows you to continue to outsource the IDV process, as well as recruit remotely.
How IBV works (from the applicant’s point of view)
Book the session in the Case Portal
After an OIDV fail, the applicant confirms their name, date of birth, address, chooses which ID documents they’ll bring, and picks a Post Office branch. They then receive a verification letter, this can either be printed off or downloaded and used on a device, like a smartphone.
Bring documents and the letter to branch
The letter includes a QR code the Post Office scans to start the check, plus practical details (the branch and the documents the applicant said they’d bring).
Post Office verifies identity
Trained staff check the original documents in person and process the verification. Post Office then returns the result to us so the application can continue.
No screenshots or photocopies. It’s an originals-only, face-to-face route that maps to the DBS rules.
Subject’s get clear guidance within their Case Portal, as well as being able to use a branch finder to select the nearest Post Office to them that offers the service. Once they’ve completed the process, they receive automatic prompts to return to the Case Portal and finish their application.
Why IBV is compliant (and helpful)
DBS’s 2025 guidance gives three options for ID verifiers to check identity documents. They either:
Must be seen in person with originals (Option 1) (preferred); or,
by live video while the checker holds the originals; or
by live video with an in-person reconciliation on day one.
In-branch verification delivers the in-person with originals route through outsourcing. Post Office staff check the physical documents face to face and send the result back to the requesting organisation, in this case Personnel Checks.
In short: In-branch verification gives you a simple, DBS-compliant, originals-only option when OIDV can’t be completed.
It keeps remote hiring moving, avoids running in-person checks yourself, and delivers a clean, auditable result back into your case. If you’d like to enable IBV or set preferences (who pays, number of attempts), just get in touch with our team on 01254 355688 or via email at letstalk@personnelchecks.co.uk