Documents you need for a criminal record check

You must prove your identity if you’re applying for the type of role where someone else is required to check your criminal record. You must provide original documents (not copies) to do this.

Which documents you need to provide will depend on the route the application takes. You must try to provide documents from Route 1 before Route 2 or Route 3.

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

All driving licences must be valid.

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

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