DBS ID checking guidelines

Guidance to help you validate the identity of a DBS check applicant and a new lead/countersignatory.

Organisations need to check the identity of a DBS check applicant as part of the application process. A slightly different process is also part of a countersignatory or lead countersignatory application.

There are two guidance documents to help with each identity check:

1. ID checking guidelines for DBS check applicants
2. ID checking guidelines for countersignatory and lead countersignatory applicants

Primary ID DocumentsThe applicant must provide a range of ID documents as part of the DBS check application process. Overseas ApplicantsApplicants who aren’t a national of the UK or the European Economic Area (EEA) Acceptable right to work documents: an employer's guideInformation for employers on which documents can be accepted when conducting right to work checks. Check if a document allows someone to work in the UKUse this service to find out: which types of document give someone the right to work in the UK and what a right to work check involves for each of them