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ID checking guidelines for Standard/Enhanced DBS check applications from 22 April 2025

DBS ID Checking Guidelines: sets document viewing hierarchy under id checking guidelines for standardenhanced dbs check applications from 22 april 2025 how to view id documents and route verification under id checking guidelines for standardenhanced dbs check applications from 22 april 2025 the 3 route id checking process, binding employers and identity checkers.

Verified at publication, 2026-11-12 11:38 UTC

43 provisions in 16 parts · official text ↗

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impact by vertical

Summary

What this law does

Provides guidance on verifying applicant identities for Standard and Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) checks. It prescribes a three-tier document viewing hierarchy prioritising in-person physical checks, establishes a three-route document verification framework, details fraud detection and document inspection rules, requires retaining validation records for at least 2 years, and specifies standards for external digital identity verification services under Route 2.

Why it matters to Signicat and its customers

No Signicat-specific relevance narrative is stored for this instrument; the stored applicability is shown below.

Who is bound: Employers; identity checker; organisation conducting the ID check; recruiters; registered bodies and employers checking applicant identity for Standard/Enhanced DBS checks · Regulators: Disclosure and Barring Service

Public Sector Health
Prescribes mandatory identity verification routes and document checking standards for healthcare, education, and public sector Standard and Enhanced DBS check applications.
Services
Guides recruitment agencies and Registered Bodies conducting identity verification, document validation, and retention for Standard and Enhanced DBS screening.

Key obligations each linked to the provision it comes from

An ID checker can conduct an initial ID check via video link without physical possession, viewing documents held up to camera or sent as a scanned image or photograph via email, recording and storing document details at that time. A fully compliant combination of physical documents must subsequently be presented and checked in person prior to employment starting, recording the date of the in-person check and cross-referencing details recorded from the video check. If option three is used, the checker must retain for a minimum of 2 years a specific rationale explaining why options one and two were not used, along with records of the documents used to validate identity.
id checking guidelines for standa…
checks.dbs_disclosureidentity_proofing.documentidentity_proofing.video_assistedevidence.audit_trailretention.archive
If discrepancies exist between applicant details and supplied identity documents where fraud is not suspected, the checker must ask the applicant to clarify. The checker must be satisfied that discrepancies are legitimate and that all name and address details are recorded in the current or previous sections of the form. Both permanent and temporary addresses must be recorded. Discrepant name spellings, missing names, or recent name changes must be verified against supporting evidence such as marriage certificates or deed polls.
id checking guidelines for standa…
identity_proofing.documentidentity_proofing.data_verificationchecks.dbs_disclosure

Part summaries

0 of 0 parts have a verified summary.

L1 unavailable for current verification: the overall summary needs every part verified. Provisions and the verified summaries remain readable.

Verification findings (60)

synthesis coverage: missing/unverified L2 introduction

synthesis coverage: missing evaluation uk:govuk/dbs-id-checking-guidelines-2025#id-checking-guidelines-for-standardenhanced-dbs-check-applications-from-22-april-2025-introduction

synthesis coverage: missing/unverified L2 right-to-work

synthesis coverage: missing evaluation uk:govuk/dbs-id-checking-guidelines-2025#id-checking-guidelines-for-standardenhanced-dbs-check-applications-from-22-april-2025-right-to-work

synthesis coverage: missing/unverified L2 identity-check-rules

synthesis coverage: missing evaluation uk:govuk/dbs-id-checking-guidelines-2025#id-checking-guidelines-for-standardenhanced-dbs-check-applications-from-22-april-2025-identity-check-rules

synthesis coverage: missing/unverified L2 how-to-view-id-documents

synthesis coverage: missing evaluation uk:govuk/dbs-id-checking-guidelines-2025#id-checking-guidelines-for-standardenhanced-dbs-check-applications-from-22-april-2025-how-to-view-id-documents

synthesis coverage: missing evaluation uk:govuk/dbs-id-checking-guidelines-2025#id-checking-guidelines-for-standardenhanced-dbs-check-applications-from-22-april-2025-how-to-view-id-documents-option-one

synthesis coverage: missing evaluation uk:govuk/dbs-id-checking-guidelines-2025#id-checking-guidelines-for-standardenhanced-dbs-check-applications-from-22-april-2025-how-to-view-id-documents-option-two

synthesis coverage: missing evaluation uk:govuk/dbs-id-checking-guidelines-2025#id-checking-guidelines-for-standardenhanced-dbs-check-applications-from-22-april-2025-how-to-view-id-documents-option-three

synthesis coverage: missing/unverified L2 what-if-there-are-discrepancies

synthesis coverage: missing evaluation uk:govuk/dbs-id-checking-guidelines-2025#id-checking-guidelines-for-standardenhanced-dbs-check-applications-from-22-april-2025-what-if-there-are-discrepancies

synthesis coverage: missing/unverified L2 transgender-applicants

synthesis coverage: missing evaluation uk:govuk/dbs-id-checking-guidelines-2025#id-checking-guidelines-for-standardenhanced-dbs-check-applications-from-22-april-2025-transgender-applicants

synthesis coverage: missing/unverified L2 applicants-who-have-been-adopted

synthesis coverage: missing evaluation uk:govuk/dbs-id-checking-guidelines-2025#id-checking-guidelines-for-standardenhanced-dbs-check-applications-from-22-april-2025-applicants-who-have-been-adopted

synthesis coverage: missing/unverified L2 the-3-route-id-checking-process

synthesis coverage: missing evaluation uk:govuk/dbs-id-checking-guidelines-2025#id-checking-guidelines-for-standardenhanced-dbs-check-applications-from-22-april-2025-the-3-route-id-checking-process

synthesis coverage: missing evaluation uk:govuk/dbs-id-checking-guidelines-2025#id-checking-guidelines-for-standardenhanced-dbs-check-applications-from-22-april-2025-the-3-route-id-checking-process-route-1

synthesis coverage: missing evaluation uk:govuk/dbs-id-checking-guidelines-2025#id-checking-guidelines-for-standardenhanced-dbs-check-applications-from-22-april-2025-the-3-route-id-checking-process-route-2

synthesis coverage: missing evaluation uk:govuk/dbs-id-checking-guidelines-2025#id-checking-guidelines-for-standardenhanced-dbs-check-applications-from-22-april-2025-the-3-route-id-checking-process-route-3

synthesis coverage: missing/unverified L2 document-lists

synthesis coverage: missing evaluation uk:govuk/dbs-id-checking-guidelines-2025#id-checking-guidelines-for-standardenhanced-dbs-check-applications-from-22-april-2025-document-lists

synthesis coverage: missing evaluation uk:govuk/dbs-id-checking-guidelines-2025#id-checking-guidelines-for-standardenhanced-dbs-check-applications-from-22-april-2025-document-lists-group-1-primary-identity-documents

synthesis coverage: missing evaluation uk:govuk/dbs-id-checking-guidelines-2025#id-checking-guidelines-for-standardenhanced-dbs-check-applications-from-22-april-2025-document-lists-group-2a-trusted-government-documents

synthesis coverage: missing evaluation uk:govuk/dbs-id-checking-guidelines-2025#id-checking-guidelines-for-standardenhanced-dbs-check-applications-from-22-april-2025-document-lists-group-2b-financial-and-social-history-documents

synthesis coverage: missing evaluation uk:govuk/dbs-id-checking-guidelines-2025#id-checking-guidelines-for-standardenhanced-dbs-check-applications-from-22-april-2025-document-lists-what-if-the-applicant-s-identity-cannot-be-established-using-one-of-the-three-routes

synthesis coverage: missing/unverified L2 guidance-on-checking-documents

synthesis coverage: missing evaluation uk:govuk/dbs-id-checking-guidelines-2025#id-checking-guidelines-for-standardenhanced-dbs-check-applications-from-22-april-2025-guidance-on-checking-documents

synthesis coverage: missing evaluation uk:govuk/dbs-id-checking-guidelines-2025#id-checking-guidelines-for-standardenhanced-dbs-check-applications-from-22-april-2025-guidance-on-checking-documents-how-do-i-check-for-indicators-of-fraud

synthesis coverage: missing evaluation uk:govuk/dbs-id-checking-guidelines-2025#id-checking-guidelines-for-standardenhanced-dbs-check-applications-from-22-april-2025-guidance-on-checking-documents-checking-a-passport

synthesis coverage: missing evaluation uk:govuk/dbs-id-checking-guidelines-2025#id-checking-guidelines-for-standardenhanced-dbs-check-applications-from-22-april-2025-guidance-on-checking-documents-checking-driving-licences

synthesis coverage: missing evaluation uk:govuk/dbs-id-checking-guidelines-2025#id-checking-guidelines-for-standardenhanced-dbs-check-applications-from-22-april-2025-guidance-on-checking-documents-checking-a-photo-driving-licence

synthesis coverage: missing evaluation uk:govuk/dbs-id-checking-guidelines-2025#id-checking-guidelines-for-standardenhanced-dbs-check-applications-from-22-april-2025-guidance-on-checking-documents-checking-an-old-style-driving-licence-no-photograph

synthesis coverage: missing evaluation uk:govuk/dbs-id-checking-guidelines-2025#id-checking-guidelines-for-standardenhanced-dbs-check-applications-from-22-april-2025-guidance-on-checking-documents-checking-an-evisa-using-view-and-prove

synthesis coverage: missing evaluation uk:govuk/dbs-id-checking-guidelines-2025#id-checking-guidelines-for-standardenhanced-dbs-check-applications-from-22-april-2025-guidance-on-checking-documents-checking-a-biometric-residence-permit

synthesis coverage: missing evaluation uk:govuk/dbs-id-checking-guidelines-2025#id-checking-guidelines-for-standardenhanced-dbs-check-applications-from-22-april-2025-guidance-on-checking-documents-checking-a-birth-certificate

synthesis coverage: missing evaluation uk:govuk/dbs-id-checking-guidelines-2025#id-checking-guidelines-for-standardenhanced-dbs-check-applications-from-22-april-2025-guidance-on-checking-documents-checking-an-eea-photo-identity-card

synthesis coverage: missing evaluation uk:govuk/dbs-id-checking-guidelines-2025#id-checking-guidelines-for-standardenhanced-dbs-check-applications-from-22-april-2025-guidance-on-checking-documents-checking-a-hm-forces-id-card-or-hm-armed-forces-veteran-card

synthesis coverage: missing evaluation uk:govuk/dbs-id-checking-guidelines-2025#id-checking-guidelines-for-standardenhanced-dbs-check-applications-from-22-april-2025-guidance-on-checking-documents-checking-a-firearms-licence

synthesis coverage: missing evaluation uk:govuk/dbs-id-checking-guidelines-2025#id-checking-guidelines-for-standardenhanced-dbs-check-applications-from-22-april-2025-guidance-on-checking-documents-other-types-of-id

synthesis coverage: missing/unverified L2 what-should-you-do-if-you-suspect-false-identity-or-documents

synthesis coverage: missing evaluation uk:govuk/dbs-id-checking-guidelines-2025#id-checking-guidelines-for-standardenhanced-dbs-check-applications-from-22-april-2025-what-should-you-do-if-you-suspect-false-identity-or-documents

synthesis coverage: missing/unverified L2 where-to-go-for-help-to-check-non-uk-issued-identity-and-travel-documents

synthesis coverage: missing evaluation uk:govuk/dbs-id-checking-guidelines-2025#id-checking-guidelines-for-standardenhanced-dbs-check-applications-from-22-april-2025-where-to-go-for-help-to-check-non-uk-issued-identity-and-travel-documents

synthesis coverage: missing/unverified L2 external-verification-service

synthesis coverage: missing evaluation uk:govuk/dbs-id-checking-guidelines-2025#id-checking-guidelines-for-standardenhanced-dbs-check-applications-from-22-april-2025-external-verification-service

synthesis coverage: missing/unverified L2 how-can-i-access-an-external-id-verification-check

synthesis coverage: missing evaluation uk:govuk/dbs-id-checking-guidelines-2025#id-checking-guidelines-for-standardenhanced-dbs-check-applications-from-22-april-2025-how-can-i-access-an-external-id-verification-check

synthesis coverage: missing/unverified L2 how-do-i-decide-whether-an-applicant-has-passed-or-failed-an-external-id-verification-check

synthesis coverage: missing evaluation uk:govuk/dbs-id-checking-guidelines-2025#id-checking-guidelines-for-standardenhanced-dbs-check-applications-from-22-april-2025-how-do-i-decide-whether-an-applicant-has-passed-or-failed-an-external-id-verification-check

synthesis coverage: missing/unverified L2 easy-five-step-guide-to-accessing-an-external-id-verification-check

synthesis coverage: missing evaluation uk:govuk/dbs-id-checking-guidelines-2025#id-checking-guidelines-for-standardenhanced-dbs-check-applications-from-22-april-2025-easy-five-step-guide-to-accessing-an-external-id-verification-check

synthesis coverage: missing evaluation uk:govuk/dbs-id-checking-guidelines-2025#id-checking-guidelines-for-standardenhanced-dbs-check-applications-from-22-april-2025-easy-five-step-guide-to-accessing-an-external-id-verification-check-step-1

synthesis coverage: missing evaluation uk:govuk/dbs-id-checking-guidelines-2025#id-checking-guidelines-for-standardenhanced-dbs-check-applications-from-22-april-2025-easy-five-step-guide-to-accessing-an-external-id-verification-check-step-2

synthesis coverage: missing evaluation uk:govuk/dbs-id-checking-guidelines-2025#id-checking-guidelines-for-standardenhanced-dbs-check-applications-from-22-april-2025-easy-five-step-guide-to-accessing-an-external-id-verification-check-step-3

synthesis coverage: missing evaluation uk:govuk/dbs-id-checking-guidelines-2025#id-checking-guidelines-for-standardenhanced-dbs-check-applications-from-22-april-2025-easy-five-step-guide-to-accessing-an-external-id-verification-check-step-4

synthesis coverage: missing evaluation uk:govuk/dbs-id-checking-guidelines-2025#id-checking-guidelines-for-standardenhanced-dbs-check-applications-from-22-april-2025-easy-five-step-guide-to-accessing-an-external-id-verification-check-step-5

Instrument tier unavailable

Change history as published

No captured publisher history.

Pending effects amendments not yet applied to this text

No captured pending effects.

Full TOC · table of contents Expand all parts

16 parts · 43 provisions. Open a provision for its text and, where available, its one-line summary.

Introduction · 1 provisions
Introduction
Right to Work · 1 provisions
Right to Work
Identity check rules · 1 provisions
Identity check rules
How to view ID documents · 4 provisions
How to view ID documents
Option one
Option two
Option three
What if there are discrepancies? · 1 provisions
What if there are discrepancies?
Transgender Applicants · 1 provisions
Transgender Applicants
Applicants who have been adopted · 1 provisions
Applicants who have been adopted
The 3 Route ID Checking Process · 4 provisions
The 3 Route ID Checking Process
Route 1
Route 2
Route 3
Document lists · 5 provisions
Document lists
Group 1: Primary identity documents
Group 2a: Trusted government documents
Group 2b: Financial and social history documents
What if the applicant’s identity cannot be established using one of the three routes?
Guidance on Checking Documents · 13 provisions
Guidance on Checking Documents
How do I check for indicators of fraud?
Checking a passport
Checking driving licences
Checking a photo driving licence
Checking an old style driving licence (no photograph)
Checking an eVisa using view and prove
Checking a biometric residence permit
Checking a birth certificate
Checking an EEA photo identity card
Checking a HM Forces ID card or HM Armed Forces Veteran card
Checking a firearms licence
Other types of ID
What should you do if you suspect false identity or documents? · 1 provisions
What should you do if you suspect false identity or documents?
Where to go for help to check non-UK issued identity and travel documents · 1 provisions
Where to go for help to check non-UK issued identity and travel documents
External verification service · 1 provisions
External verification service
How can I access an external ID verification check? · 1 provisions
How can I access an external ID verification check?
How do I decide whether an applicant has passed or failed an external ID verification check? · 1 provisions
How do I decide whether an applicant has passed or failed an external ID verification check?
Easy five-step guide to accessing an external ID verification check · 6 provisions
Easy five-step guide to accessing an external ID verification check
Step 1
Step 2
Step 3
Step 4
Step 5

Impact profile

Transportation
1
Banking finance
1
Public sector health
3
Energy, utilities & telco
0
Insurance pensions
0
Services
2
Media entertainment
0
Manufacturing construction
0
Commerce
0

Dimensions

Mechanism strength
3
Signicat obligation
1
Urgency
Pending

Penalties

not supplied

Definitions

No captured definitions.

References

No captured related instruments.