For the complete documentation index, see llms.txt
For the complete documentation index, see llms.txt
Submitting Your Full Name History on Zinc
You are legally required to submit your full name history when undergoing a DBS check. If the identity document doesn't match your current legal name, you will be required to provide evidence of your current, legal name.
Your name history is important to document your name changes for your background checks as they may be needed for individual checks like a criminal check.
## If your name has changed and your identity documents match your current name
1. At the start of the check process, in the **Confirm Your Details** section, you will be asked for your full name history.
2. Select **Yes** for the question **has your name ever changed since birth**. You must provide the full details of all name changes.
3. Select **Yes, my current name matches my identity documents** for the question **Does your current name match your document name?**
4. Add each previous name and the dates it was used.
5. Once you have added all previous names, click **"Use my document name as my most recent name"** beneath your last entry. This confirms that the name on your identity document is your current legal name and allows you to continue.
> Only use "Use my document name as my most recent name" if you selected **Yes, my current name matches my identity documents.** This link will not exist for the No flow where your current legal name does **not** match your document name. Check whether you selected **No, my current name does not match my identity documents** or entered a document name that is different from your current legal name, then follow the No flow below.
> ⚠️ **Do not add your document name as an additional name change entry** — this will prevent you from progressing.
6. You may upload proof of name change documents, but this is optional. 
7. You will then undergo an Identity and Address check. This will verify your current name, address, and date of birth (DOB) against your provided ID.
## If your name has changed, but your current name does not match your identity document
Your current name might be different if you've officially adopted a new name (e.g., through marriage, deed poll) but have not updated your identity documents.
1. At the start of the check process, in the **Confirm Your Details** section, you will be asked for your full name history.
2. Enter your **document name** first. This must be the name shown on the identity document you will use-**not your current legal name if they are different**.
3. Select **Yes** for the question **has your name ever changed since birth**. You must provide the full details of all name changes.
4. Select **No, my current name does not match my identity documents** for the question **Does your current name match your document name?**
5. Declare your **birth name**, even if it is the same as your document name. You will need to add the end date for this name as the month and year.
6. Add each name change in order from your birth name through to your current legal name.
- If your document name is a previous name, your current legal name should be the final entry; the system will mark this as **Current** automatically.
> If you enter your current name where the form asks for your document name, the system may not let you continue because it cannot match the name history to your ID. Check that the first section contains the name on your identity document, then declare your birth name and add any later name changes through to your current name.
7. You must upload proof of name changes that occurred after your identity document was issued. You must provide a document from [this list](https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/names-evidence-to-change-a-name/names-evidence-to-change-a-name-accessible). For prior name changes, documentation is optional. This proof must be uploaded in the **Confirm Your Details** section as part of the full name history flow.
8. Do **not** upload marriage certificates, deed polls, or other name-change evidence in the Identity Check step. The Identity Check step is not the correct upload location for name history or name mismatch evidence.
9. You will then undergo an Identity and Address check if completing a DBS check. This will verify your current name, address, and date of birth (DOB) against your provided ID.
## If you have never changed your name
1. At the start of the check process, in the **Confirm Your Details** section, you will be asked for your full name history.
2. Select **No** for the question **has your name ever changed since birth?**
3. Proceed with completing the other sections of your background check.
## If the date field will not accept MM/YYYY
The name-history pages show the date as two separate boxes: one for the month and one for the year. For example, enter **09** in the month box and **1985** in the year box.
If the page still shows **Enter a valid date in the MM/YYYY format** after the month and year have been entered in separate boxes, contact Zinc support with a screenshot of the page and the error message.
## If you have already confirmed the section and cannot go back
If you have already confirmed or submitted the **Confirm Your Details** section and the system will not let you go back to edit your name details, Zinc Support will need to review this for you. Candidates cannot always change this section themselves after it has been confirmed.
Contact Zinc support and explain what needs correcting, for example that your passport includes a middle name but you submitted the section without it. Support can review whether the section needs to be reset or corrected.
## If your employer has asked you to declare a name you don't legally use as your primary name
Zinc's DBS check must be completed in your current legal name. If you have ever been known by another name — even informally — and it appears on any official documentation such as a bank account, you are required to declare it. You will need to provide dates for each name used. If you are unsure how to enter this, contact Zinc support before starting the name history section and our team will advise on the correct approach.
## Definitions
**ID / Document name** = the name on the photo ID you submit in the identity checking process.
**Current name** = the name that is legally registered as your current.
Accepted name change documents by the DBS:
- Marriage certificate
- Civil partnership certificate
- Post-Date form 2 (PD2)
- Gender recognition certificate (GRC)
- Enrolled deed poll
- Change of name deed
- Unenrolled deed poll
- Adoption order or certificate
**and more which can be found on the Government guidance linked below**
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/names-evidence-to-change-a-name/names-evidence-to-change-a-name-accessible