DBS checks have been in place for individuals and businesses across the UK to use since 2012, and in the time since, services like those provided by our team here at Online DBS Checks have made the whole DBS process much more straightforward.
However, specific issues can cause delays to the review and processing of your DBS application, one of which is an unusual or incorrect DBS address history. To learn why a complete address history is important and how to resolve any problems caused by you having an unusual address history, continue reading this blog post.
Why is an Address History Important?
The Disclosure and Barring Service will only provide a prompt service if the individual’s address history is provided, as this is one of the most crucial parts of the DBS application form. If this information isn’t accurate, doesn’t cover the last five years, or is missing certain information, the results of your DBS check address history could be incorrect or incomplete.
A DBS check address history must be complete and consistent. If this incorrect information means that the checking service you’re using can’t verify whether you’ve had any problems with the law, this would have the severe consequence of putting children and vulnerable adults at risk.
Therefore, to protect both you and the DBS checking service you use, this situation will typically lead to the verification process being paused or the entire application being rejected.
This means that you must provide accurate information for the last five years unless you have an unusual address history which makes that impossible. It’s worth noting that a wrong address on DBS check can not only delay your results but also raise concerns during compliance audits.
To learn more about resolving this situation, first, you need to understand what classifies as a reason for an unusual DBS address history.
What is an ‘Unusual’ DBS Check Address History?
The modern world that we live in means that there are plenty of scenarios in which your DBS check address history may be deemed as ‘unusual’. All of these are valid reasons that you could have a gap in your address history and require you to take steps to resolve this issue.
Examples of these scenarios include:
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Living at university during term time whilst also living at a parents’ address
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Travelling for long periods
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Living overseas
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Working away from home
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Living on a canal boat, cruise ship or a merchant vessel
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Living in a refuge or sheltered accommodation
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Having no fixed abode
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Being in prison
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Being a member of HM Armed Forces
Each of these can create DBS unusual addresses that the system may flag for clarification. If you’re worried about how does DBS check your address history in such cases, don’t worry—the DBS has a clear process for handling it.
How to Resolve an Unusual Address History
Along with this, there are several pieces of more general advice from the DBS that still apply if you have an unusual address history. This includes:
- Make sure that you provide the address where you’re currently living on the application form, as the DBS will write to this address to send you the results of your Basic, Standard or Enhanced DBS check.
- Every address field is compulsory, apart from the county you live in.
- Provide any other addresses that you’ve lived at within the last five years, along with the month and year you moved in and out.
If you’ve entered a wrong address on DBS check forms by mistake, correcting this quickly can save you time and prevent rejection.
Even if you feel like your DBS address history wrong details are due to a genuine issue such as moving frequently for work or study clear documentation and communication can usually resolve the problem.
How do the DBS Check Addresses?
To ensure that the information every applicant has provided is genuine, the Disclosure and Barring Service conducts several checks.
How do DBS check addresses? They verify submitted data against a range of secure records, including:
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Electoral roll data
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Council tax or bank statements
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Driving licence details
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HMRC and DWP records
In some cases, they may reach out to landlords or local police if concerns arise. This means that how does DBS check your address history depends on both public records and third-party confirmation.
If your DBS address history wrong details conflict with these records, it can trigger manual investigation or a request for further information.
Also, remember: how do DBS check addresses when you’ve lived abroad or had no fixed address? In such cases, the system may request additional documentation or letters from authorities, depending on the country or situation.
Finally, it’s worth restating that DBS check address history accuracy is one of the most critical parts of a successful application. If your submitted addresses seem inconsistent or contain long gaps, you may need to provide written explanations or evidence.
Conclusion: Be Proactive with Address Accuracy
An accurate and complete DBS address history is essential to receiving a timely and successful DBS check result. If you think you may have a case of DBS unusual addresses, don’t panic. The key is to be honest, proactive, and thorough with your application.
Address inconsistencies won’t necessarily disqualify you but failing to resolve them could lead to delays or rejection.
If you're ever uncertain about how do DBS check addresses, or how does DBS check your address history in more complex cases, consult the official guidance or contact a trusted vetting provider like Online DBS Checks.
