Identity Check

An ID check involves someone confirming the identity of an individual using trusted legal documents.  There are three separate routes to confirm identities as required by the DBS service. The list of suitable documents is below.

Route 1 Route 2 Route 3
One document from Group 1 One document from Group 2a A birth certificate
Two further documents from any group Two further documents from Group 2a or 2b One document from Group 2a
Two further documents from Group 2a or 2b

Group 1 - Primary Identity Documents

Document Notes
Passport Any current valid passport
Biometric residence permit UK
UK Current driving licence (photo card with counterpart) UK / Isle of Man / Channel Islands (full or provisional)
Birth Certificate (issued at time of birth) UK and Channel Islands – including those issued by UK authorities overseas e.g. Embassies, High Commissions and HM Forces
Adoption Certificate UK and Channel Islands

Group 2a - Trusted Government Documents

Document Notes
Birth Certificate (issued after time of birth) UK, Isle of Man and Channel Islands
Marriage/Civil Partnership certificate UK and Channel Islands
HM Forces ID UK
Firearms Licence UK, Isle of Man and Channel Islands
Current driving licence (photocard) All countries outside the UK (excluding Isle of Man and Channel Islands)
Current driving licence (paper) 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.
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

Group 2b - Financial and Social Documents

Document Notes Issue Date and Validity
Mortgage Statement UK issued in the last 12 months
Bank or Building society statement UK and Channel Islands issued in the 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 the last 3 months
Credit Card Statement UK issued in the last 3 months
Financial statement, for example pension or endowment UK issued in the last 12 months
P45 or P60 statement UK and Channel Islands issued in the last 12 months
Council tax statement UK and Channel Islands issued in the 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