If you’re applying for a DBS check, or organising one for a member of your team, you’ll need to provide the right combination of documents to prove identity and address. Depending on the level of check, the person’s nationality, and which documents they actually have, it’s not always a simple process.
We’ll walk you through everything you need to know about DBS check documents. That includes the full list of accepted documents, how to work out which route your applicant needs to follow, and what changes if they’re not a UK national.
The quickest way to verify someone’s identity is with a Digital ID check. It takes minutes, reduces mistakes, and can skips the need to physically see someone’s documents. You can read more about them by clicking below.
Understanding the Three DBS Routes
When applying for a DBS check, the documents your applicant needs will depend on which route their application follows. There are three possible routes, and which one they use depends on their nationality and the documents they’re able to provide.
- Route 1 is the most straightforward and preferred option for everyone.
- Route 2 is only for UK nationals who can’t meet Route 1 requirements.
- Route 3 is the last resort and also only available to UK nationals.
Let’s take a look at each one in more detail:
Route 1
(UK Nationals and Non-UK Nationals)
Applicants must be able to provide:
- One document from Group 1.
- Plus 2 further documents from either Group 1, or Group 2a or Group 2b.
At least one of the documents must show the current address.
Non-UK Nationals applying for a DBS for paid work must use a version of Route 1, with a slightly different list of Primary Documents, which we’ll cover further down the page.
Route 2
(UK National Only)
If the applicant doesn’t have any of the documents in Group 1, then they must be able to show:
- One document from Group 2a.
- Plus 2 further documents from either Group 2a or 2b.
At least one of the documents must show the current address. The organisation requesting the DBS check must then also use an appropriate ID validation service to check the application. This is available through Employment Tools
Route 3
(UK Nationals Only)
Route 3 can only be used if it’s impossible to process the application through Routes 1 or 2.
For Route 3, applicants must be able to show:
- A birth certificate issued after the time of birth (UK, Isle of Man and Channel Islands).
- One document from Group 2a.
- 3 further documents from Group 2a or 2b.
At least one of the documents must show the current address, and if the applicant can’t provide these documents, they need to fill out a paper DBS form, and go for fingerprinting.
Group 1: Primary Identity Documents
These documents are used to prove the applicant’s identity
| Documents | Notes |
|---|---|
| Passport | Any current and valid passport |
| Biometric residence permit | UK |
| Current driving licence photocard – (full or provisional) | UK, Isle of Man, and Channel Islands |
| Birth certificate – issued within 12 months of birth | UK, Isle of Man, and Channel Islands – including those issued by UK authorities overseas, for example embassies, High Commissions and HM Forces |
| Adoption certificate | UK and Channel Islands |
Group 2a: Trusted Government Documents
These documents are required to prove a current address.
| Documents | Notes |
|---|---|
| Current driving licence photocard – (full or provisional) | All countries outside the UK (excluding Isle of Man and Channel Islands) |
| Current driving licence (full or provisional) | UK, Isle of Man, and Channel Islands |
| Birth certificate – issued after time of birth | UK, Isle of Man, and Channel Islands |
| Marriage/civil partnership certificate | UK and Channel Islands |
| Immigration document, visa, or work permit | Issued by a country outside the UK. Valid only for roles whereby the applicant is living and working outside of the UK. Visa/permit must relate to the non-UK country in which the role is based. |
| HM Forces ID card | UK |
| Firearms licence | UK, Isle of Man, and Channel Islands |
Group 2b: Financial & Social History Documents
These documents are required to prove a current address.
All documents must be physical – for example, you can not use an online bank statement, even if it is printed off. It must be officially issued by the bank.
| Documents | Notes | Issue Date & Validity |
|---|---|---|
| Mortgage statement | UK | Issued in last 12 months |
| Bank or building society statement | UK and Channel Islands | Issued in last 3 months |
| Bank or building society statement | Countries outside the UK | Issued in last 3 months – branch must be in the country where the applicant lives and works |
| Bank or building society account opening confirmation letter | UK | Issued in last 3 months |
| Credit card statement | UK | Issued in last 3 months |
| Financial statement, for example pension or endowment | UK | Issued in last 12 months |
| P45 or P60 statement | UK and Channel Islands | Issued in last 12 months |
| Council Tax statement | UK and Channel Islands | Issued in last 12 months |
| Letter of sponsorship from future employment provider | Non-UK only | Valid only for applicants residing outside of the UK at time of application. Must still be valid. |
| Utility bill | UK – not mobile telephone bill | Issued in last 3 months |
| Benefit statement, for example Child Benefit, pension | UK | Issued in last 3 months |
| Government, government agency, or council document giving entitlement, for example from the Department for Work and Pensions, the Employment Service, HMRC | UK and Channel Islands | Issued in last 3 months |
| EEA National ID card | Must still be valid | |
| Irish Passport Card | Cannot be used with an Irish passport | Must still be valid |
| Cards carrying the PASS accreditation logo | UK, Isle of Man, and Channel Islands | Must still be valid |
| Letter from head teacher or college principal | UK – for 16 to 19 year olds in full time education – only used in exceptional circumstances if other documents cannot be provided | Must still be valid |
Documents for Paid Working Non-UK Nationals
Non-UK Nationals must use route 1 if they are applying for paid work, and may not use any other routes. However, the list of acceptable documents is slightly different in this case. (If the non-UK national will be doing voluntary work, Route 1 can be completed the regular way.)
Applicants must provide one ‘Primary Document’ from the list below, along with a further two documents selected from Group 1, Group 2a, or Group 2b.
| Documents and details |
|---|
| A current passport or passport card showing that the holder is a national of Ireland. |
| A current document issued by the Home Office to a family member of an EEA or Swiss citizen, and which indicates that the holder is permitted to stay in the United Kingdom indefinitely. |
| 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. (This can’t be used as a secondary document if it’s already being used as a primary document in this section.) |
| Online evidence of immigration status. Either via the View and Prove service or using the BRP or BRC online service. Issued by the Home Office 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. Must be valid. Note: this includes the EUSS digital status confirmation. |
| 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 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 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 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 document issued by the Home Office to a family member of an EEA or Swiss citizen, and which indicates that the holder is permitted to stay in the United Kingdom for a time limited period and to do the type of work in question. |
| A frontier worker permit issued under regulation 8 of the Citizens’ Rights (Frontier Workers) (EU Exit) Regulations 2020. |
| 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 document issued by the Home Office showing that the holder has made an application for leave to enter or remain under Appendix EU to the immigration rules on or before 30 June 2021 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 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. |