Proof of Address for Minors for DBS Checks (16 Years or Older) and the Manual Employer Verification Route

To complete the Zinc address check for a DBS criminal check, you may need to provide a proof of address. ## Proof of address documents accepted in the UK We can only accept one of the following via the **platform**: - **Utility bill (last 3 months) — paper copy only (gas, electricity, water, landline, broadband)** - **Bank or building society statement (last 3 months) — paper copy only** - **Council tax letter (last 1 year) — paper copy only** - **Benefits letter (last 1 year) — paper copy only (job seeker allowance, housing benefit, tax credits)** - **Mortgage Statement (issued in the past 12 months)** This needs to be a full document page, showing: - **Your full name** - **Type of document** - **Your full current address** - **Date of issue** ## If you are a minor (over the age of 16) From the list of eligible documents, bank or building society statements are the most likely route available for minors. If you don’t have a bank account already it is usually possible to quickly open a bank account and obtain a statement from them to expedite your criminal record check application. You can share a live photo of the proof of address document via the Zinc platform in order to complete your checks. ## If you cannot provide any of the listed documents If a bank account is not an option for you and you cannot provide another listed document, you will need to follow the manual route for verifying your address directly with your new employer. You will be notified of this once you've tried to submit your address proof through the system and your employer will be notified of this as well. ## DBS routes and Manual Identity Documentation Depending on your level of DBS check you need for your role, there’s two different routes. **For Basic DBS checks, the criteria can be found [here](https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/basic-check-guidance-and-policies/basic-check-id-checking-guidelines-from-22-april-2025).** **For Standard or Enhanced DBS checks, the criteria can be found [here](https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/dbs-identity-checking-guidelines/id-checking-guidelines-for-standardenhanced-dbs-check-applications-from-22-april-2025).** For either of these criteria, the ideal route to follow is **Route 1** which means you need to provide **1 or 2 documents from either Group 1, or Group 2a or 2b** depending on the level of DBS check. Some examples of documents that are acceptable are: - **Current driving licence photocard - (full or provisional)** - **Cards carrying the PASS accreditation logo** - **Letter from head teacher, college principal, apprenticeship provider- for 16 to 19 year olds in full time education or on an apprenticeship - only used in exceptional circumstances if other documents cannot be provided** ## Manual route steps After reviewing the above criteria and deciding what documents you have that can be used to verify your identity, you will need to set up a time for your employer to review your documentation face to face or by providing the documents via mail and meeting with your employer over a video communication service. Again, check that all letters and statements are recent, i.e., within a three month period unless otherwise stated. Documentation printed from the internet is not acceptable. Your employer will then check the documentation provided such as looking if letter headed paper is used, bank headers are correct, and all documentation looks genuine. The address will be cross-referenced with that provided by you. Once your documentation has been checked and approved, your employer will notify Zinc to let us know address documentation has been reviewed manually. When we are notified, the address check will be completed and your DBS will be processed.