Acceptable ID documents for the DBS check


As part of the DBS application process, you will need to present a selection of original ID documents to the University for verification that confirm your name and date of birth. You will need to provide:

  • At least one document from Group 1
  • Two further documents from either Group 1, or Group 2a, or Group 2b

Please note:

  • At least one document should include a photograph
  • Online documents or documents printed from the internet are not acceptable
  • Expiry dates apply to some of the documents - we recommend providing documents that will still be valid and in date by September 2026

Documents showing evidence of name changes

If you have changed your name or been known any other name(s), you will need to provide documentation showing evidence of your name change(s) in addition to your three other ID documents. The documentation should show a clear link between your previous name(s) and your current name. Acceptable documentation may include:

  • Birth certificate confirming your name at birth (in addition to your three other ID documents confirming your current name)
  • Marriage/civil partnership certificate
  • Divorce documents
  • Deed poll
     

Group 1, Group 2a, and Group 2b document lists

Please provide three documents from Group 1, or from a combination of Group 1 and Group 2a, where possible. Many of the documents in Group 2b have a short validity period and may not be valid by the time your DBS application is processed. 

 

Group 1

Passport:

  • Must be current and valid

Driving Licence Photocard:

  • Must be current and valid
  • Issued by the UK, Isle of Man, or Channel Islands
  • Full or provisional

Birth Certificate:

  • Issued within 12 months of birth
  • Issued in the UK, Isle of Man, or Channel Islands - including those issued by UK authorities overseas, for example embassies, High Commissions and HM Forces.

eVisa:

  • Share code for online evidence of immigration status - your share code should begin with the letter 'S'

Adoption Certificate:

  • Issued in the UK or Channel Islands

Group 2a

Non-UK Driving Licence Photocard:

  • Must be current and valid
  • Issued outside of the UK, Isle of Man, and Channel Islands
  • Full or provisional

Birth Certificate:

  • Issued 12 months or more after birth
  • Issued in the UK, Isle of Man, or Channel Islands

Marriage/Civil Partnership Certificate:

  • Issued in the UK or Channel Islands

Group 2b

EEA National ID Card:

  • Must be current and valid

Irish Passport Card:

  • Must be current and valid
  • Cannot be used with an Irish passport

PASS Card:

  • Cards carrying the PASS accreditation logo
  • Must be current and valid
  • Issued in the UK, Isle of Man, or Channel Islands

European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) or Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC):

  • Must be current and valid
  • Issued in the UK  

Please note: The next documents are only valid for 12 months, so should not be dated earlier than September 2025. They also cannot be online documents or documents printed from the internet: 

 

Mortgage Statement:

  • Issued in the UK

Financial Statement:

  • For example, student loan confirmation letter, pension, endowment, ISA statement
  • Issued in the UK 

P45 or P60 Statement:

  • Issued in the UK or Channel Islands

Council Tax Statement:

  • Issued in the UK or Channel Islands 

Government Letter/Benefit Statement:

  • A document from central or local government, government agency, or local council giving entitlement, for example from the Department for Work and Pensions, the Employment Service, Local Authority
  • A letter confirming entitlement to benefits, for example Personal Independence Payment (PIP), free school meals, universal credit, etc
  • Issued in the UK or Channel Islands
  • Cannot be a letter confirming your National Insurance number

HMRC Self-Assessment Letters or Tax Demand Letter:

  • Issued in the UK

Benefit Statement:

  • For example child benefit, state pension
  • Issued in the UK

Please note: The next documents are only valid for 3 months, so please provide documents from the other groups, where possible. If you provide any of the next documents and they are more than 3 months old on the date that the ID verification process for your DBS application is carried out, you will need to provide alternative documents at a later stage and this could result in delays to your DBS application. The next documents cannot be online documents or documents printed from the internet:

 

Bank or Building Society Statement:

  • Issued in the UK or Channel Islands
  • Must be a hard copy bank statement that has been posted to you. A print off of a bank statement that is endorsed with a stamp and signed by the bank is acceptable if you cannot have a hard copy bank statement posted to you

Bank or Building Society Account Opening Confirmation Letter:

  • Issued in the UK

Credit Card Statement:

  • Issued in the UK 
  • Must be a hard copy credit card statement that has been posted to you 

Utility Bill:

  • Issued in the UK
  • Cannot be a mobile telephone bill

Questions?

If you have any questions about providing the correct ID documents for the DBS check, please email the Admissions Support Team.