What Documents Do I Need For An Enhanced DBS Check?

A common question we are asked is, “What documents do I need for an Enhanced DBS Check?”

For an Enhanced DBS Check, ideally, you need to be able to provide the following documents:

One document of identification, such as a passport, driving licence, or Birth Certificate (issued within 12 months of birth).
Two documents that verify your address, such as a utility bill, bank statement, or council tax letter.

Identity documents are known as Primary Identity Documents (Group 1 documents), and address documents are known as Trusted Government Documents (Group 2a documents) and Financial and Social History Documents (Group 2b documents).

Providing one Group 1 document, and 2 further documents from Group 1, Group 2a, or Group 2b is the easiest, and fastest way.

What Documents Do I Need For An Enhanced DBS Check?

The full list of documents that fall under each group can be seen below:

Group 1: Primary Identity Documents

These documents are required to prove an identity.

Documents	Notes
Passport	Any current and valid passport. A UK passport can be expired up to a maximum of 6 months.
e-Visa	Accessed via the ‘View and Prove’ service. The share code requested by the applicant should be an ‘immigration status’ 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)
Biometric residence permit (BRP)	UK. A BRP showing Indefinite Leave to Remain, Indefinite Leave to Enter or No Time Limit can be used up to 18 months past the expiry date of the BRP. BRP holders should be encouraged to create an account and access their eVisa
Application Registration Card (ARC)	Issued by the Home Office. Must be checked against the Home Office Employer Checking Service.
Current driving licence photocard – (full or provisional)	Current and valid photocard driving licence issued by UK, Isle of Man, and Channel Islands. From 8 June 2015, the paper counterpart to the photocard driving licence will not be valid and will no longer be issued by DVLA
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. Must be original birth certificate. Certified copies are a group 2a document.
Adoption certificate	UK and Channel Islands

Group 2a: Trusted Government Documents

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)	Current and valid. UK, Isle of Man, and Channel Islands. For a paper licence to be valid it must be issued before March 2000 and all information, including name and address, must be up to date.
Birth certificate – issued more than 12 months after 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

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 12 months
Central or local government, government agency, or local council document giving entitlement, for example from the Department for Work and Pensions, the Employment Service, Local Authority	UK and Channel Islands – a letter confirming entitlement to benefits. For example: Personal Independence Payment (PIP), free school meals, universal credit, asylum support etc	Issued in last 12 months
HMRC self-assessment letters or tax demand letter	UK	Issued in last 12 months
European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) or Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC)	UK	Must still be valid
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

What If I Can’t Provide a Group 1 Document for an Enhanced DBS?

If you cannot provide a document from Group 1, you will need to provide:

One document from Group 2a.
Two further documents from Group 2a or 2b.

At least one of the documents must show the current address. Then you will have to undergo an external ID validation check.

What I Fail The External ID Check?

If all of the above fails, you must be able to show:

A birth certificate issued after the time of birth. This can be from anywhere in the 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 your current address. If any of these can’t be provided, then fingerprinting is the only option left. You can read more about this via our What is the DBS Fingerprinting Process guide.

Summary – What Documents Do I Need For A Enhanced DBS Check?

To process an Enhanced DBS check, it is best if you can provide the following documents:

One documents of identification, such as a passport, driving licence, or Birth Certificate (issued within 12 months of birth)
Two documents that verify your address, such as a utility bill, bank statement, or council tax letter.