Acceptable ID & Address Documents

For Criminal Background Checks

Please note: this list is UK and EU-centric so if you are a non-UK/EU Applicant, especially if you are living and working overseas, we will invite you to provide alternative documents if you aren’t able to provide documents issued by UK or EU authorities. We are always obliged by the screening standards to ask applicants to supply documents as part of their screening even if they are not UK citizens or residents, but it is always the applicant’s decision whether to provide them or not.

Basic checks

PROOF OF IDENTITY AND CURRENT ADDRESS

At least one document must show your name and current address, and at least one document must show your date of birth.

You must provide at least 2 different documents:

  • 1 document from Group 1, below; and
  • 1 further document from either Group 1, or Group 2a or 2b, below

The combination of documents presented must confirm your name, address and date of birth. If this can’t be achieved within 2 documents a third can be selected.

Standard and Enhanced Checks

PROOF OF IDENTITY AND CURRENT ADDRESS

At least one document must show your name and current address, and at least one document must show your date of birth.

You must provide at least 3 different documents:

  • 1 document from Group 1, below
  • 2 further documents from either Group 1, or Group 2a, or 2b, below

If you’re not a national of the UK and are applying for voluntary work, you may need to be fingerprinted if you can’t show these documents.

Group 1

Document

  • Passport > Any current and valid passport
  • Biometric residence permit > UK
  • Current driving licence photocard – (full or provisional) > 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
  • Adoption certificate > UK and Channel Islands

Group 2a

Document 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) – paper version (if issued before 1998) 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

Documents Notes Issue date and 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
Central or local government, government agency, or local 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
  • REMEMBER: Never email us your documents – always upload them to your application.
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