Please find the documentation you are able to use to complete the DBS. The most common route is Route 1.

Route 1

  • One document from Group 1
  • 2 further documents from either group 1, 2a or 2b

At least one of the documents must show the applicant’s current address.

If the applicant isn’t a national of the UK and is applying for voluntary work, they may need to be fingerprinted if they can’t show these documents.

Route 2

If the applicant doesn’t have any of the documents in group 1, the must show

  • 1 document in Group 2a
  • 2 further documents in Group 2a or 2b

At least one of the documents must show the applicant’s current address. The organisation conducting their ID check must then also use an appropriate external ID validation service to check the application.

Route 3

Route 3 can only be used if it is not possible to go through route 1 or 2

The applicant must be able to show

  • a birth certificate issued at the time of birth (UK or Channel Islands)
  • one document from Group 2a
  • 3 further documents from 2a or 2b

At least one of the documents must show the applicant’s current address. If the applicant can’t provide these documents they may need to be fingerprinted.

Group 1: Primary identity documents

Document Notes
Passport Any current and valid passport
Biometric residence permit UK
Current driving licence photocard – (full or provisional) UK, Isle of Man, and Channel Islands. From 8 June 2015, the paper counterpart to the photocard driving licence will not be valid and will no longer be issued by DVLA
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: Trusted government documents

Document Notes
Current driving licence photocard – (full or provisional) All countries outside the EU (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
Birth certificate – issued after time of birth UK, Isle of Man and Channel Islands
Marriage/civil partnership certificate UK and Channel Islands
HM Forces ID card UK
Firearms licence UK, Channel Islands and Isle of Man

All driving licences must be valid.

Group 2b: Financial and social history documents

Document Notes Issue date and validity
Mortgage statement UK or EEA Issued in last 12 months
Bank or building society statement UK and Channel Islands Issued in last 3 months
Bank or building society account opening confirmation letter UK Issued in last 3 months
Credit card statement UK 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
Irish PAssport Card Cannot be used with an Irish Passport Must still be valid
Letter of sponsorship from future employment provider Non-UK only – valid only for applicants 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
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

Accepted occupations for DBS Signatory

Your signatory must either:

  • work in (or be retired from) a recognised profession
  • be ‘a person of good standing in their community’

Recognised professions

Examples of recognised professions include:

  • accountant
  • airline pilot
  • articled clerk of a limited company
  • assurance agent of recognised company
  • bank or building society official
  • barrister
  • chairman or director of a limited company
  • chiropodist
  • commissioner for oaths
  • councillor, for example local or county
  • civil servant (permanent)
  • dentist
  • director, manager or personnel officer of a VAT-registered company
  • engineer with professional qualifications
  • financial services intermediary, for example a stockbroker or insurance broker
  • fire service official
  • funeral director
  • insurance agent (full time) of a recognised company
  • journalist
  • Justice of the Peace
  • legal secretary (fellow or associate member of the Institute of Legal Secretaries and PAs)
  • licensee of a public house
  • local government officer
  • manager or personnel officer of a limited company
  • member, associate or fellow of a professional body
  • Member of Parliament
  • Merchant Navy officer
  • minister of a recognised religion (including Christian Science)
  • nurse (RGN or RMN)
  • officer of the armed services
  • optician
  • paralegal (certified paralegal, qualified paralegal or associate member of the Institute of Paralegals)
  • person with honours, for example an OBE or MBE
  • pharmacist
  • photographer (professional)
  • police officer
  • Post Office official
  • president or secretary of a recognised organisation
  • Salvation Army officer
  • social worker
  • solicitor
  • surveyor
  • teacher or lecturer
  • trade union officer
  • travel agent (qualified)
  • valuer or auctioneer (fellow or associate members of the incorporated society)
  • Warrant Officers and Chief Petty Officers

Professions that are not accepted

Your countersignatory cannot:

  • work for HM Passport Office
  • be a doctor, unless they state that they know you well (for example they’re a good friend) and that they recognise you easily from your photo