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Acceptable ID documents for the DBS check


As part of the DBS application process, you will need to provide:

  • At least one document from Group 1.
  • Two further documents from either Group 1, or Group 2a, or Group 2b. 
  • Documents confirming name changes, where applicable.

Please note: 

  • The three documents must be in your current name. If you have been known by any other name(s), you will need to provide original documentation confirming your name change(s) in addition to your three other ID documents. (If you were adopted before the age of 10, you do not need to enter your surname at birth on your DBS application and you will therefore not need to provide documentation confirming this change of name).  
  • At least one document should include photographic identity.
  • At least one document must show your current address.
  • If you are a non-UK national, you will need to provide your passport, a document that shows you have leave to enter or remain in the UK, such as a valid biometric residence permit or a share code for online verification of immigration status (eVisa), an acceptable document from Group 1, Group 2a, or Group 2b that shows your current address, and documentation confirming name changes, where applicable. 
  • According to the DBS ID checking guidelines, we cannot accept documentation printed from the internet e.g., internet bank statements. 
  • Please be aware of the expiry dates that apply to some of the documents. We recommend that you provide acceptable ID documents that will still be valid and in date by September 2025, where possible.

 

We recommend that you provide three documents from Group 1, or three documents from a combination of Group 1 and Group 2a, if possible, as many of the documents from Group 2b have a short validity period and they may not be valid by the time your DBS application is processed. 


Group 1:

  • Current valid passport
  • Current valid driving licence photocard - full or provisional (UK, Isle of Man, or Channel Islands)
  • Birth certificate - issued within 12 months of birth (UK, Isle of Man, or Channel Islands - including those issued by UK authorities overseas, such as embassies, High Commissions and HM Forces)
  • Biometric residence permit (UK)
  • Share code for online verification of immigration status (eVisa)
  • Adoption certificate (UK or Channel Islands)

Group 2a:

  • Current valid driving photocard- full or provisional (all countries outside the UK excluding Isle of Man and Channel Islands)
  • Birth certificate - issued after 12 months of date of birth (UK, Isle of Man, or Channel Islands) 
  • Marriage/civil partnership certificate (UK or Channel Islands)

Group 2b: 

Please note: Documents from Group 2b have a short validity period and they may not be valid by the time your DBS application is processed. As a result, please only provide documents from Group 2b if you do not have three documents from Group 1, or three documents from a combination of Group 1 and Group 2a, or if you do not have a document from Group 1 or Group 2a that shows your current address. 

  • Valid EEA National ID card
  • Valid Irish Passport Card (cannot be accepted if also providing an Irish passport)
  • Valid cards carrying the PASS accreditation logo (UK, Isle of Man, or Channel Islands)

 

Please note: Documents marked ** must be less than 12 months old on the date that the ID verification process for your DBS application is carried out. The ID verification process for teacher training and early years DBS applications is usually carried out between April and August. As a result, please only provide these documents if they have been issued since September 2024. 

If you provide any of these documents and they are more than 12 months old on the date that the ID verification process for your DBS application is carried out, you will need to provide alternative documents at a later stage and this could result in delays to your DBS application.  

  • Mortgage statement (UK) **
  • Financial statement (UK) - e.g., Student Loan confirmation, endowment, ISA statement **
  • P45 or P60 statement (UK or Channel Islands) **
  • Council Tax statement (UK or Channel Islands) **
     

Please note: Documents marked *** must be less than 3 months old on the date that the ID verification process for your DBS application is carried out. The ID verification process for teacher training and early years DBS applications is usually carried out between April and August. As a result, please provide three ID documents from the other groups, if possible.  

If you provide any of these documents and they are more than 3 months old on the date that the ID verification process for your DBS application is carried out, you will need to provide alternative documents at a later stage and this could result in delays to your DBS application. 

According to the DBS ID checking guidelines, we cannot accept documentation printed from the internet e.g., internet bank statements. If you are providing a bank or credit card statement, it will need to be a version that has been sent to you by post or a version that has been printed and stamped in branch.
 

  • Bank or building society statement (UK or Channel Islands) *** 
  • Bank or building society account opening confirmation letter (UK) *** 
  • Credit card statement (UK) *** 
  • Utility bill (UK) - mobile telephone bill not acceptable *** 
  • A document from central or local government, government agency, or local council giving entitlement, for example from the Department for Work and Pensions, the Employment Service, HMRC (UK or Channel Islands) *** 

 

Questions?

If you have any questions about providing the correct identity documents for the DBS check, please contact the Admissions Support team.