Acceptable ID documents for the DBS check

As part of the DBS application process, 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. 
• Documents confirming name changes, where applicable.

• The three documents must be in your current name. If you have been known by any other name(s), you will need to provide original documentation confirming your name change(s) in addition to your three other ID documents. (If you were adopted before the age of 10, you do not need to enter your surname at birth on your DBS application and you will therefore not need to provide documentation confirming this change of name).  

• At least one document should include a photograph.

• At least one document should show your current address. 

• According to the DBS ID checking guidelines, we cannot accept documents printed from the internet e.g., internet bank statements. 

• Please be aware of the expiry dates that apply to some of the documents. We recommend that you provide acceptable ID documents that will still be valid and in date by September 2026, where possible. 

We recommend that you provide three documents from Group 1, or three documents from a combination of Group 1 and Group 2a, if possible, as many of the documents from Group 2b have a short validity period and they may not be valid by the time your DBS application is processed. 

Group 1:

• Current valid passport

• Current valid driving licence photocard - full or provisional (UK, Isle of Man, or Channel Islands)

• Original birth certificate (UK, Isle of Man, or Channel Islands - including those issued by UK authorities overseas, such as embassies, High Commissions and HM Forces). Must be an original birth certificate. A certified copy of a birth certificate is a group 2a document. 

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

• Adoption certificate (UK or Channel Islands)
  
  

Group 2a:

• Current valid driving licence photocard - full or provisional (all countries outside the UK excluding Isle of Man and Channel Islands)

• Certified copy of a birth certificate (UK, Isle of Man, or Channel Islands) 

• Marriage/civil partnership certificate (UK or Channel Islands)
  
  

Group 2b:  

 

• Valid EEA National ID card

• Valid Irish Passport Card (cannot be used if also providing an Irish passport)

• Valid card carrying the PASS accreditation logo (UK, Isle of Man, or Channel Islands)

• Valid European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) or Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC) (UK) 

 

These documents  are only valid for 12 months so should not be dated earlier than September 2025:-

• Mortgage statement (UK) 

• Financial statement (UK) - e.g., Student Loan confirmation, pension, endowment, ISA statement 

• P45 or P60 statement (UK or Channel Islands) - cannot be online document 

• Council Tax statement (UK or Channel Islands) 

• 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 (UK or Channel Islands) – a letter confirming entitlement to benefits such as Personal Independence Payment (PIP), free school meals, universal credit, etc. (Please note, a letter confirming your National Insurance number is not acceptable) 

• HMRC self-assessment letters or tax demand letter (UK)
  
• Benefit statement (UK) - e.g., Child Benefit, pension 

These documents are only valid for 3 months, so please provide documents from the other groups if possible.  If you provide any of these 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:-

• Bank or building society statement (UK or Channel Islands) - cannot be an online document. Must be a hard copy bank statement that has been posted to you. A printed 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 (UK) 

• Credit card statement (UK) - cannot be an online document 

• Utility bill (UK) - mobile telephone bill not acceptable. Cannot be printed from an online account.
  

 

Name change confirmation

If you have been known any other name(s) you will also need to provide a document confirming your name change.  If this document does not confirm your birth name, please also provide your birth certificate:  These documents are acceptable for confirmation of name changes:-

• Marriage/civil partnership certificate

• Divorce Document

• Deed Poll Document
  
  

Questions?

If you have any questions about providing the correct identity documents for the DBS check, please contact the Admissions Support team.