When you apply for a DBS check, you’ll need to provide some supporting documents that verify your identity. Without these documents, your DBS check application can’t be processed.
This blog is designed to help anyone applying for a Basic, Standard, or Enhanced DBS check to understand what documents are required for each one.
What Documents Do I Need for a DBS Check?
What Documents Do I Need for a DBS Check?No matter which level of DBS check you’re applying for, you need to have some documents that confirm your identity. The types of documents that you require are split between two sets, one of which has two different subsets. The types of DBS identity documents are split between the following groups:
- Group 1 - primary identity documents
- Group 2a - trusted government documents
- Group 2b - financial and social history documents
When submitting your DBS check application, you must include the required documents. Failing to do so will mean the DBS cannot process your application, and it’ll subsequently be held up until the correct documentation has been submitted.
Basic DBS Check
The documents you need when you apply for a Basic DBS check are:
- One document of identification, such as a passport or driving licence.
- One document that verifies your proof of address, which can be a utility bill, bank or credit card statement or driving licence (provided it shows your current address and has not been used as the ID document).
Standard and Enhanced DBS Checks
The Disclosure and Barring Service itself sets out the identity document criteria for both Standard DBS checks and Enhanced DBS checks. Standard disclosure is the same as Enhanced disclosure, except all Enhanced checks will involve verifying with local police forces of any other relevant applicant information, and some checks will involve a Barred List check. Therefore, the identity criteria is still the same for both.
The Standard and Enhanced disclosure ID criteria is as follows:
- One document from Group 1 (see below).
- Two other documents from either of the lists below, one of which must contain a proof of address for the applicant.
If the applicant cannot produce a document from Group 1, they must provide the following:
- One document from Group 2a at a minimum.
- Two other documents from Group 2a or 2b.
Group 1 and Group 2 Documents
Group 1 – Primary Identity Documents
- Passport
- Biometric Residence Permit
- Driving licence (full or provisional)
- Birth or adoption certificate
Group 2a – Trusted Government Documents
- Driving licence (full or provisional)
- Paper driving licence
- Birth certificate
- Marriage or civil partnership certificate
- HM Forces ID card
- Firearms licence
Group 2b – Financial and Social History Documents
- Bank/building society statement
- Mortgage statement
- Credit card statement
- Statement showing pension, endowment or benefit
- P45/P60
- Council tax statement
- EU National ID card
- Government entitlement document
- Work permit or visa
- Letter of sponsorship from a future employer
- Letter from your headteacher or school principal
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