Guidance

Basic check guidance and policies

A collection of guidance and policy documents relating to the submission of basic checks, for Responsible Organisations.

Documents

Basic check: Processing standards

Request an accessible format.
If you use assistive technology (such as a screen reader) and need a version of this document in a more accessible format, please email communications@dbs.gov.uk. Please tell us what format you need. It will help us if you say what assistive technology you use.

Web Services Interchange Agreement

Request an accessible format.
If you use assistive technology (such as a screen reader) and need a version of this document in a more accessible format, please email communications@dbs.gov.uk. Please tell us what format you need. It will help us if you say what assistive technology you use.

Basic DBS check Privacy Policy for applicants (English and Welsh)

Accountable Officer Privacy Policy (English and Welsh)

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.

Updates to this page

Published 4 September 2017
Last updated 1 October 2021 + show all updates
  1. Previous ID checking guidelines removed.

  2. Welsh version of ID checking guidelines added.

  3. 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.

  4. 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.

  5. Updated Basic check ID checking guidelines from 1 July 2021 added.

  6. Group 2b amended. Non-EEA bank or building society statements notes updated.

  7. Outdated ID guidance removed.

  8. V1.0 of Web Services Interchange Agreement replaced with V2.0. Change relates to DBS email address update only.

  9. 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.

  10. Welsh translations added for the Privacy Policy for Accountable Officers and Responsible Organisations, and for the Privacy Policy for applicants.

  11. First published.

Sign up for emails or print this page