Form

DBS certificate dispute and fingerprint consent form guidance

Updated 18 December 2024

Raising a dispute about application details

If the dispute relates solely to application details on a DBS certificate, you may prefer to contact our Customer Services team on 03000 200 190 (selecting option 4) who can raise the dispute over the phone.

Alternatively, complete section A of the certificate dispute form to indicate which details on the DBS certificate are incorrect, and advise us of the correct details.

Details of where to send the completed certificate dispute form can be found within the form itself, here.

Raising a dispute about criminal record(s) or other information

If the dispute relates to criminal records or other information shown on the DBS certificate, complete the section of the certificate dispute form that relates to the information you’re disputing. For example:

• Section B: Dispute relating to criminal record information disclosed – complete this section if your dispute relates to criminal record information disclosed
• Section C: Dispute relating to barring records – complete this section if your dispute relates to barring records
• Section D: Dispute relating to police force locally-held records – complete this section if your dispute relates to police force locally-held records

For all disputes, please complete Section E of the certificate dispute form and provide full details of why the information is being disputed and any evidence you have to support your dispute.

Within Section E, please include full details of any offences, including dates, that do not relate to you, are inaccurate, or are missing. If any offences are missing, please state the courts and dates attended.

If you need to provide further detail and require more room, please use A4 size paper, or a typed document and title the document ‘E: Reasons for dispute – continuation sheet’. Include your full name, date of birth, and customer reference number on all additional correspondence.

Details of where to send the completed certificate dispute form can be found within the form itself, here.

Who can raise a dispute?

A dispute can be raised by:

• the applicant
• a person who has a legitimate interest in the accuracy of the DBS certificate, such as a countersignatory, employer, or licensing authority

When consent for fingerprints is required

Section F (Fingerprint consent) should only be completed if the reason for dispute, as marked on the certificate dispute form, is either:

• B1: All of the information does not relate to the applicant
• B2: Some of the information does not relate to the applicant

What if you do not want to provide fingerprints?

We will aim to resolve the dispute without the need for fingerprints, but if you do not consent to have your fingerprints taken, we may not be able to resolve your dispute.

How are the fingerprints taken?

If fingerprints are needed to eliminate a record from your details, and you consent to providing fingerprints, the police will contact you to arrange an appointment for you to attend a police station. You may need to produce documentation to validate your identity.

Are the fingerprints used for any other purpose?

Please understand that your fingerprints may also be the subject of speculative searches against all fingerprint records held by the police, and other law enforcement authorities, in connection with or as a result of an investigation into an offence.

At the end of these enquiries, if your fingerprints are not required, they will be destroyed and will not be retained for any other purpose.

Why do you need to provide your photograph?

A photograph is required to confirm that the person presenting themselves for fingerprints is the applicant. If you are sending your dispute form in via post, you must submit one colour passport-style photograph of yourself. This must include your name and customer reference number written on the back of the photograph, in capital letters, and should be sent together with the form.

If you are sending your dispute form in via email, your photograph can be taken on a mobile phone and attached to the email with the certificate dispute form. You are not required to sign or mark each photograph. Photographs taken on a mobile phone must meet the following criteria. Photographs must:

• show you with a neutral expression and your mouth closed (no grinning, frowning, or raised eyebrows)
• show you on your own
• be in colour, not black and white
• have been taken within the last 6 months
• be of you facing forward and looking straight at the camera
• be taken with your eyes open and clearly visible (no sunglasses or tinted glasses, and no hair across your eyes)
• show your full head, without any head covering, unless you wear one for religious beliefs or medical reasons
• be taken with nothing covering your face - you should make sure nothing covers the outline of your eyes, nose, or mouth

Photographs can be used as an alternative method of eliminating you from Police National Computer (PNC) records. If you do not consent or you disagree with the request to go for fingerprints, please continue to provide the photographs requested.

Please return the completed form and photograph, where required, to:

Disclosure & Barring Service

Disputes

Customer Services
PO BOX 165,
Liverpool
L69 3JD

Alternatively, you can email your forms and photograph to RaiseDispute@dbs.gov.uk. If you choose to submit your form and photograph via email, you must complete section G (Email consent).

If you have any questions about completing the dispute form, please call us on 03000 200 190.

If you need any further information about DBS, visit our website or call us on 03000 200 190.

Form checklist

To prevent unnecessary delay, please use the below checklist to make sure you have provided all of the relevant information and photographs.

If your dispute relates to overseas offences, copies of your birth certificate and current passport should be sent with the completed dispute form.

• Complete the applicant/interested parties section
• If your dispute relates to personal details, please complete section A of the form
• If your dispute relates to criminal record information that has been disclosed, please compete section B of the form
• If your dispute relates to personal details and criminal record information that has been disclosed, please complete sections A and B
• If your dispute relates to barring records, please complete section C of the form
• If your dispute relates to police force locally-held records, please complete section D of the form
• Please ensure section E is completed in all scenarios

Please make sure the following have been completed and provided where requested:

• Your signature and details on the dispute form for each section you have completed, where required
• Your consent for fingerprinting in section F
• Your signature and details in section F, where required
• One passport-style colour photograph of yourself with your name clearly written on the back for postal submission, or one passport-style photograph as an attachment for email submission