Basic check guidance and policies
A collection of guidance and policy documents relating to the submission of basic checks, for Responsible Organisations.
Updates to this page
- From:
- Disclosure and Barring Service
- Published:
- 4 September 2017
- Last updated:
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10 July 2026
Show all updates
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Basic check ID checking guidelines from 1 July 2021 has been removed as it has been replaced with Basic check ID checking guidelines from 22 April 2025
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Note added to advise that old ID guidance can no longer be used, except for quality assurance/audit purposes.
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30 September 2025 update to Basic ID guidelines has been replicated in Basic check ID checking guidelines from 22 April 2025 (Welsh)
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Basic check ID checking guidelines from 22 April 2025 has been updated. The key updates are as follows: • Emphasis that RBs should consider the feasibility of digital ID checks • Strengthening of Option Three – emphasis that the in-person checking of documents should be prior to the first day of work in all but exceptional circumstances • A new example of non-compliance with Option Three has been added • Clarification of how to enter common name variations on the application form where those variations appear on identity documents • Benefit Statement validity extended from 3 months to 12 months
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Basic check ID checking guidelines from 22 April 2025 has been updated to make clear that: 1: 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 2: Central or local government, government agency, or local council document giving entitlement must have been issued in the last 12 months 3: P45 or P60 statement cannot be an online document
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Reference to HM Forces ID card has been updated to HM Forces ID card or HM Armed Forces Veteran card in the Basic ID checking guidelines (English and Welsh)
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Welsh translation of Basic check ID checking guidelines from 22 April 2025 has been uploaded
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Updated ID Guidance to be used from 22nd April has been uploaded
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Previous ID checking guidelines removed.
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Welsh version of ID checking guidelines added.
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List of primary documents updated for applicants who aren’t a national of the UK. A current passport showing that the holder is a national of the Republic of Ireland, changed to: A current passport or passport card showing that the holder is a national of the Republic of Ireland.
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Addition to the list of primary identity documents for non-UK nationals needing a DBS check for paid work in the UK - a current passport showing that the holder is a national of the Republic of Ireland.
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Updated Basic check ID checking guidelines from 1 July 2021 added.
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Group 2b amended. Non-EEA bank or building society statements notes updated.
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Outdated ID guidance removed.
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V1.0 of Web Services Interchange Agreement replaced with V2.0. Change relates to DBS email address update only.
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New ID Checking Guidelines added. These will run in parallel with the existing guidelines from 3 September 2018 to 3 December 2018, when the existing guidelines will cease to apply.
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Welsh translations added for the Privacy Policy for Accountable Officers and Responsible Organisations, and for the Privacy Policy for applicants.
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First published.
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Documents
Basic check: Processing standards
MS Word Document, 326 KB
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Web Services Interchange Agreement
PDF, 578 KB, 18 pages
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Basic DBS check Privacy Policy for applicants (English and Welsh)
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/basic-dbs-check-privacy-policy
Accountable Officer Privacy Policy (English and Welsh)
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/accountable-officer-privacy-policy
Details
These documents are for Responsible Organisations who submit basic checks to DBS. Details of documents needed to verify a person’s identity are provided in the basic check identity guidance (see above).
Responsible Organisations who submit basic checks to DBS on behalf of individuals will need to comply with these terms and conditions, policies and guidance.