In order for you to apply for your DBS correctly, you must follow the application route guidelines. The documents that you need to submit, will depend on the route that best suits your situation.
Please refer to the route guidelines before completing the application form.
Route 1
You must be able to show:
- one document from Group 1
- 2 further documents from either Group 1, or Group 2a or 2b
At least one of the documents must show your current address.
If you’re not a national of the UK or the EEA and you’re applying for voluntary work you may need to be fingerprinted if you cannot show these documents.
Route 2
You can only use Route 2 if you cannot apply using Route 1.
If you’re not a national of the UK or the EEA and are applying for voluntary work you cannot use Route 2.
If you do not have any of the documents in Group 1, then you must be able to show:
- one document from Group 2a
- 2 further documents from either Group 2a or 2b
At least one of the documents must show your current address. The organisation conducting their ID check must then also use an appropriate external ID validation service to check the application.
If you’re an EEA national who’s been resident in the UK for 5 years or less you may need to be fingerprinted if you cannot show these documents.
Route 3
You can only use Route 3 if you cannot apply using Routes 1 or 2.
EEA nationals who’ve been resident in the UK for 5 years or less cannot use Route 3.
For Route 3, you must be able to show:
- a birth certificate issued after the time of birth (UK, Isle of Man and Channel Islands)
- one document from Group 2a
- 3 further documents from Group 2a or 2b
At least one of the documents must show your current address. If you cannot provide these documents you may need to be fingerprinted.
Group 1
| Document | Notes |
|---|---|
| Passport | Any current and valid passport |
| Biometric residence permit | UK |
| Current driving licence photocard – (full or provisional) | UK, Isle of Man, Channel Islands and EEA |
| 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 EEA (excluding Isle of Man and Channel Islands) |
| Current driving licence (full or provisional) – paper version (if issued before 1998) | UK, Isle of Man, Channel Islands and EEA |
| Birth certificate – issued after time of birth | UK, Isle of Man and Channel Islands |
| Marriage or civil partnership certificate | UK and Channel Islands |
| Immigration document, visa or work permit | All countries outside the EEA – valid only if you’re living and working in the country that issued the document |
| HM Forces ID card | UK |
| Firearms licence | UK, Channel Islands and Isle of Man |
Group 2b
| Notes | Issue date and validity | |
|---|---|---|
| Mortgage statement | UK or EEA | Issued in last 12 months |
| Bank or building society statement | UK and Channel Islands or EEA | Issued in last 3 months |
| Bank or building society statement | Countries outside the EEA | Issued in last 3 months – branch must be in the country where the you live and work |
| Bank or building society account opening confirmation letter | UK | Issued in last 3 months |
| Credit card statement | UK or EEA | 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 or non-EEA only – valid only if you’re 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 | You cannot use this 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 |