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SIA sworn oath and character reference forms

Fill in these forms if the SIA has granted your overseas criminality exception request.

Updates to this page

From:
Security Industry Authority
Published:
23 November 2020
Last updated:
11 September 2026
Show all updates

  1. Sworn oath and character reference forms have been replaced with updated versions.

  2. Replaced the character reference form with an updated version.

  3. The PDF 'Sworn Oath and Character Reference Forms and Guidance' has been replaced with two ODT files which update the original content and divide it into one form for the sworn oath and another for the character reference.

  4. Updated the form to a) include an expanded list of people wo can provide the character reference and b) ask for information covering the last 10 years, not 5.

  5. Updated the document so that the character reference form asks the age of the person providing the reference.

  6. Updated the 'Details' section to: make it clear that we only grant exceptions in specific circumstances; include a link to where these circumstances are explained in full. Also updated the PDF attachment to change 'police officer' to 'former police officer', with an explanatory note that 'police officers cannot give references if they are still serving'.

  7. Updated the document so that it is clearer on the types of people who can provide character references.

  8. First published.

Documents

SIA sworn oath form

ODT, 28.5 KB

This file is in an OpenDocument format

SIA character reference form: overseas criminality exception

ODT, 40.6 KB

This file is in an OpenDocument format

Details

If you are applying for an SIA licence and you live overseas, or you have spent 6 continuous months or more outside the UK, you must provide evidence of a criminal record check from the relevant country or countries. The checks must cover the 10 years prior to your application.

If you cannot give us evidence of a criminal record check, you can ask us for an exception. If we approve your request for an exception we will ask you to provide a sworn oath and a character reference instead. You should provide these using the documents on this page.

We only approve exceptions if you cannot get a check from an official source. We will not accept a sworn oath or character reference from you unless we have already approved your overseas criminality exception request.

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