DBS Checks, ID and Documents
As part of a DBS application, applicants need to have their identity confirmed. The process for this is known as ID Verification. This is one of the most common things we are asked about.
In this guide, we hope to answer all the questions you’ve ever had about DBS Check and ID. You can find the full DBS ID Checking Guidelines on the DBS’ website.
What documents do you need for a DBS Check?
The documents that you need depend on which level of DBS Check you’ve applied for.
For Basic DBS Checks, you need to provide 2 forms of ID. Together, these need to confirm your full name, date of birth and current address.
The most common types of ID submitted in support of a Basic DBS application are passports, driving licences or bank statements.
There are around 20 different types of ID that are acceptable. You can find a comprehensive list and instructions in our Basic DBS ID Guide.
For Standard and Enhanced DBS applications, you need to submit 3 forms of ID. Together, these need to confirm your full name, date of birth and current address.
The most common types of ID submitted in support of a Standard and Enhanced DBS applications are passports, driving licences, bank statements, utility bills and council tax statements.
There are around 20 different types of ID that are acceptable. You can find a comprehensive list and instructions in our Standard and Enhanced DBS ID Guide.
How do I Check documents?
Checking the ID is simply a matter of looking at an applicant’s documentation to establish that they are authentic and valid forms of ID. Nominated verifiers must also cross reference the information on the document against the information provided on the DBS application form.
Carrying out ID verification is very similar to carrying out a right-to-work check. Full guidance is beyond the scope of this page, you can find the comprehensive DBS ID Guidance here.
ID verifiers must not attempt to amend the application form without the applicant’s knowledge and agreement. If you encounter errors this must be raised with the applicant.
What are the different ID groups?
DBS ID guidelines classify documents into three different groups. These are Group 1, Group 2a and Group 2b.
Group 1 documents are your primary forms of ID and confirm right to work in the UK. Group 1 includes:
Passport
Driving licence photocard
Original Birth Certificate (issued within 12 months of birth) (UK and Channel Islands)
Adoption Certificate (UK and Channel Islands)
Biometric Residence Permit
For any level of DBS Check, applicants must provide at least one document from Group 1.
Group 2a and 2b include a much wider range of documents that can be used in support of a DBS application. These can be used in any combination, as long as a Group 1 document has been provided. At least one of them should confirm your current address.
If you can’t provide a document from Group 1, then things get a little more complicated. A different ‘route’ needs to be followed.
Different Routes to ID Verification.
There are three different routes to ID verification. Route 1, 2 and 3. Applicants cannot select which route they would like to go down. Rather, the organisation carrying our the ID verification needs to exhaust all the possibilities of each route before moving on to the next one.
So far in this article, the method we have referenced is Route 1 ID Verification. This involves submitting a Group 1 document and then 2 other supporting documents from the list (1 other for Basic DBS applications).
This is the most common method used.
Routes 2 and 3 get progressively more complicated.
Route 2:
Route 2 can only be started if it is impossible for an applicant to provide a Group 1 document.
To complete ID verification via Route 2, three documents need to be provided. One of these documents needs to be from Group 2a and the other two documents can be from Group 2a or Group 2b.
On top of this, applicants need to go through an external identity check with a third-party provider. Personnel Checks use Experian for this service.
If applicants can’t satisfy the requirements for this route, the next step is Route 3.
Route 3:
The requirements for Route 3 are very specific. Applicants need to provide 5 documents in total. One of these must be a reissued birth certificate (Group 2a), along with:
An additional document from Group 2a
Three additional documents from either Group 2a or 2b
At least one of these documents needs to confirm that applicants current address.
Fingerprint tests
If an applicant can’t meet the requirements for either Route 1, 2, or 3, then the DBS can arrange fingerprint tests to confirm identity. This is sometimes known as Route 4.
An appointment is made at your local police station, where a fingerprint test will be taken. An application form, including passport photographs, will also need to be submitted.
If it gets to this point, we strongly recommend against proceeding down this route. Fingerprint tests can take several months to arrange so can cause significant delays to the DBS process. It is usually quicker for a passport or provisional driving licence to be applied for then wait for a fingerprint test.