ID checking guidelines for Standard/Enhanced DBS check... · Identity check rules

Identity check rules

id checking guidelines for standardenhanced dbs check applications from 22 april 2025 identity check rules · in force: unknown

Captured source text (L5)

Identity check rules

The identity checker cannot verify the identity of a relative or partner, people who live in the same house as them, or a personal friend.

The ID checker **must**:

- Make sure that any details of current passport, UK driving licence and National Insurance Number are included on the paper or electronic application form. - Follow the three route ID checking guidance set out below. - Seek photographic identity documents (passport, driving licence, e-Visa or PASS card) in the first instance. This can be used to compare the applicant’s likeness. Check and validate the information provided on the application form by the applicant. - Check that the application form is completed in full and the information it contains is accurate. For example, that all addresses lived at in the last 5 years and names known by have been declared and are accurate. Failure to do this can result in delays in processing and the withdrawal of applications. - Make sure the applicant fills in the address part of the form correctly if they have an [unusual address](https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/dbs-unusual-addresses-guidance/dbs-unusual-addresses-guide), for example if they live abroad, in student accommodation or a hostel. - Use a document type only once in the document count. For example, don’t accept two bank statements as two of the required documents if they are from the same bank. - Not alter or amend the application form without the knowledge or agreement of the applicant. - Keep a record of the documents used to validate each identity for a minimum of 2 years. This is to aid fraud investigation work carried out by DBS. DBS may ask for records of documents checked as part of ID verification as part of this process. Documents associated with applications up to 3 months old will also be requested as part of our routine compliance activity. Documents can be recorded as copies of physical documents or PDF evidence of eVisa. If it is not possible to keep copies you must record: - document type, - country of issue - any expiry date, - any reference numbers, and - notes if there were any discrepancies discussed as part of the ID verification process. - Make sure the applicant downloads and completes a [DBS continuation sheet](https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/dbs-continuation-sheet) for additional information they can’t fit on the DBS application form.

Full captured verbatim text

The identity checker cannot verify the identity of a relative or partner, people who live in the same house as them, or a personal friend.

The ID checker **must**:

- Make sure that any details of current passport, UK driving licence and National Insurance Number are included on the paper or electronic application form.
- Follow the three route ID checking guidance set out below.
- Seek photographic identity documents (passport, driving licence, e-Visa or PASS card) in the first instance. This can be used to compare the applicant’s likeness. Check and validate the information provided on the application form by the applicant.
- Check that the application form is completed in full and the information it contains is accurate. For example, that all addresses lived at in the last 5 years and names known by have been declared and are accurate. Failure to do this can result in delays in processing and the withdrawal of applications.
- Make sure the applicant fills in the address part of the form correctly if they have an [unusual address](https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/dbs-unusual-addresses-guidance/dbs-unusual-addresses-guide), for example if they live abroad, in student accommodation or a hostel.
- Use a document type only once in the document count. For example, don’t accept two bank statements as two of the required documents if they are from the same bank.
- Not alter or amend the application form without the knowledge or agreement of the applicant.
- Keep a record of the documents used to validate each identity for a minimum of 2 years. This is to aid fraud investigation work carried out by DBS. DBS may ask for records of documents checked as part of ID verification as part of this process. Documents associated with applications up to 3 months old will also be requested as part of our routine compliance activity. Documents can be recorded as copies of physical documents or PDF evidence of eVisa. If it is not possible to keep copies you must record:
- document type,
- country of issue
- any expiry date,
- any reference numbers, and
- notes if there were any discrepancies discussed as part of the ID verification process.
- Make sure the applicant downloads and completes a [DBS continuation sheet](https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/dbs-continuation-sheet) for additional information they can’t fit on the DBS application form.

What this provision means

Model summary, checked against the text on the left.

Relevance to Signicat: 3/3 · detailed summary (L4) Status: not needed for a short provision · Stored artifact; current recipe verification unavailable

Identity checkers must validate applications using photographic ID where possible and retain identity verification records for a minimum of 2 years.

Only the one-line summary above is stored for this provision; the text itself is the evidence.

Refers to

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Referred to by

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Part summaries

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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/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/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/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/unverified L2 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/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/unverified L2 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

Instrument tier unavailable

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Pending effects amendments not yet applied to this text

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Provenance

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Instrument: uk:govuk/dbs-id-checking-guidelines-2025
Part: Identity check rules
Version: febaa24e10df10d6ffbae7c3…
Content hash: sha256 fdf840e98acd090d9c678769…
Source: gov.uk/government/publications/dbs-identity-checking-guidelines/id-checking-guidelines-for-standardenhanced-dbs-check-applications-from-22-april-2025