Applicant ID Requirements

DBS ID requirements for EEA and Non EEA  DBS check applications.

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Digital ID Validation via Trust ID

 
By far the easiest and quickest way to check an applicants identity. Send your applicant an invitation via the ebulk system to perform a Digital ID Check via TrustID. The applicant can take a selfie, and pictures of their ID documents and they will be independently validated by our IDSP TrustID. The result will be automatically entered in to your ID check on  your dashboard so all you need to do is approve the application. No need to meet the applicant, or see their original documents. Digital Identity checks are charged at £3.85 inc VAT.

Trust ID are a government certified identity provider (IDSP) and industry leading experts in ID validation. In order to request a Digital ID validation the applicant will be required to hold the below identity documents. 

 

 

UK Passport holders

Non-UK Passport holders

ENHANCED/STANDARD

Document 1

UK in date Passport

Biometric passports
(with exception to those issued in India)

Irish in date Passport

EU/EEA Biometric ID Cards (not BRPs)

Irish Passport card


 

Address

CHECKED BY SYSTEM

CHECKED BY SYSTEM

BASIC

Document 1

UK in date Passport

Biometric passports

Irish in date Passport

EU/EEA Biometric ID Cards (not BRPs)

Irish Passport card

 

Manual ID validation with original documents (face to face)

 

The DBS has a three tiered process for document identification and this explains which documents must be presented to support a DBS check application. The possible ID routes and document combinations are valid for Basic, Standard and Enhanced criminal record checks. 

All the information listed below is based on the UK Government’s DBS Identity Checking Guidelines. 

A full list of acceptable ID documents for Basic, Standard and Enhanced DBS Checks can be found via the links below. You will also find a link to the Disclosure Scotland Basic Check guidance

Enhanced/Standard DBS ID Check Guidance
Basic Disclosure DBS ID Check Guidance
Disclosure Scotland Basic Check Guidance

ID Routes for Manual Identity Validation Standard and Enhanced DBS Checks

There are three possible ID routes for manual face to face ID validation that an individual can follow. However, an applicant should attempt to exhaust each route before moving onto the next option. The documents needed will depend largely on the route that the application takes with Route 1 being the first option.

Route 1

The applicant must be able to provide a minimum of three documents including:

  • One document from Group 1
  • At least one of the documents must show the applicant’s current address
  • One document must show date of birth
  • Two further documents from either Group 1 or Group 2a or 2b
  • All documents must be in the current name of the applicant (statements and letter can be in joint names, as long as the applicant’s name is identifiable)

If the applicant does not have sufficient documents for this route to submit a Route 1 application, a declaration form must be signed to confirm this to proceed with Route 2.

If the applicant is not a national of the UK or the EEA and is applying for voluntary work, they may need to be fingerprinted if they cannot produce these documents.

Route 2

Route 2 can only be used if you cannot proceed via Route 1. The Route 2 documents are as follows:

  • A minimum of three documents
  • At least one document from Group 2a and two documents from Group 2a or Group 2b
  • All documents must be in the applicant’s current name
  • One document must show the current address of the applicant
  • One document must show the applicant’s date of birth
  • A Third Party ID Verification Check including an ID Check consent form.

It is the employer’s responsibility to conduct an external ID verification to check the application. This can be performed by Care Check at the extra cost of £12. An ID verification check is similar to a credit referencing check. It confirms the name and address of an applicant that is linked to details such as electoral roll, utilities and loan accounts.

Please note: If an applicant is from outside the EEA and is applying for voluntary work, they will be unable to use Route 2.

Route 3

Route 3 should only be used if it’s unfeasible to process the application through Route 1 or 2.

Please note: If an EEA national has resided in the UK for over five years, they cannot use Route 3.

The applicant must be able to produce:

  • A birth certificate issued after the time of birth (UK, Isle of Man and Channel Islands)
  • One further document from Group 2a
  • Three further documents from Group 2a or 2b.

One of the documents must show the applicant’s current address and if they cannot provide this, the applicant may need to be fingerprinted.

Fingerprint Process

If an applicant cannot fulfil any of the routes, the DBS will fingerprint the applicant to confirm their ID. This application must be completed on paper and will require the inclusion of passport-style photographs. The police station local to the applicant will make an appointment for them to attend a fingerprinting session. We recommend that applicants avoid this route if possible as it can cause delays of up to three months in the Disclosure application process.

Non UK Applicants

Any applicant who wants to do paid work and is not a national of the UK or must provide proof of their right to work within their ID validation:

If an applicant cannot provide this information they will be unable to submit a DBS check. This is because their right to work in the UK cannot be established and they will not be able to proceed down an alternative route.

Non UK applicants who wish to do voluntary work MUST use Route 1.

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