What Documents Do I Need for a DBS Identity Check?

> **Important:** Soft copies, scans, photocopies, screenshots, saved photos, existing photos, uploaded photos, or photos of a document copy are not accepted for Zinc digital identity verification or for the manual DBS identity process. This includes an existing or saved photo of a driving license, passport, or ID card instead of using the camera. You will need to use the live camera flow to take a new photo of the valid, original physical photo ID for Zinc's identity check. For the manual process, all identity documents must be physical original documents, unless the manual process instructions specifically state otherwise. To complete your DBS identity check through Zinc, you need to provide live photos of valid, original photo ID. The documents you need depend on your DBS check level and on which documents you have. For a step-by-step walk-through, see [How To Complete Digital Identity Verification for a DBS or Right to Work Check](https://help.zincwork.com/article/4e70a832-how-to-complete-digital-identity-verification-for-a-dbs-or-uk-right-to-work-check). ### Quick answers - **Standard or Enhanced DBS:** the fastest route is a biometric passport plus an NFC-capable phone, with no other document needed. If that doesn't apply to you, you'll provide a biometric passport plus one more accepted document, or two accepted documents if you don't have a biometric passport. - **Basic DBS:** a valid, in-date UK or Irish passport is all you need. If you don't have one, another accepted document (a foreign passport, driving licence or national ID card) will do. - **Expired passport:** not accepted digitally at any DBS level. Your passport must be valid and in date. - **Passport from a country not on the chip scan list:** still accepted for digital verification. For a Standard or Enhanced DBS check, you'll be asked for a second document instead of the chip scan. - **No suitable documents:** you'll be routed to manual verification with your employer. ### Full current-name requirement for UK DBS digital verification For UK DBS checks, identity documents used for Zinc's digital verification must show your current **and** full legal name. Where the DBS digital flow requires two identity documents, both documents must show the your current and full legal name. Documents with abbreviated names, initials in place of names, or a non-current name are not accepted for digital DBS verification. If you only have an abbreviated-name document, you will need to complete manual DBS identity verification with your employer instead. *Note: An expired UK passport may be accepted for a Right to Work check (via a manual review process with your employer), but not for a DBS identity check digitally through Zinc.* > **Important:** The documents accepted for digital verification are different from the manual Group 1, 2a and 2b process. Don't apply the digital document rules to manual Standard or Enhanced DBS identity verification. For the manual route, a passport plus a driving licence is only two documents and isn't enough by itself for Standard or Enhanced DBS Route 1. You also need one additional listed Group 1, Group 2a or Group 2b document. This article covers the following situations. Scroll to find yours: - **Basic DBS ID documents** - **Standard or Enhanced DBS ID documents** - **How to choose the manual verification route in Zinc** - **No valid photo ID** - **Name has changed** - **Passport countries for the NFC chip scan** --- ## Basic DBS: Accepted ID Documents ### If you have a valid UK or Irish passport Submit your **valid, in-date UK or Irish passport**. You'll take a live photo of it, then complete a facial motion scan. This is all you need for a Basic DBS identity check through Zinc. ### If you don't have a valid UK or Irish passport You can use one other accepted document instead: - A foreign passport - A driving licence - A national ID card You'll take a live photo of the document, then complete a facial motion scan. ### If you don't have any of these documents You'll be routed to manual verification. Your employer will then complete a manual identity check with you before your Basic DBS application can proceed. This typically involves documents such as your: - UK or Irish birth certificate or adoption certificate - Proof of National Insurance --- ## Standard or Enhanced DBS: Accepted ID Documents Zinc takes you down one of three digital routes, depending on the documents you have. You don't choose the route yourself. Zinc asks two quick questions and works it out: 1. **Do you have an in-date biometric passport?** Look for the small chip symbol on the cover. 2. **Do you have an NFC-capable phone?** If you can tap your phone to pay for something, the answer is yes. Every document you use must be in your current legal name. ### Route 1: Biometric Passport and an NFC-Capable Phone This route needs a biometric passport from a country on the chip scan list below. You won't need a second document. You'll: 1. Take a live photo of your passport's photo page. 2. Scan your passport's chip with the Zinc app. 3. Record a short selfie video, turning your head when prompted. ### Route 2: Biometric Passport Plus One More Document If your phone doesn't support NFC, or your biometric passport is from a country that isn't on the chip scan list, you'll provide your passport and one more accepted document: - A driving licence - A national ID card You'll take a live photo of each document, then complete a facial motion capture. ### Route 3: Two Documents and No Biometric Passport If you don't have a biometric passport, you'll provide two accepted documents from: - A driving licence - A national ID card - A non-biometric passport You'll take a live photo of each document, then take a selfie. ### If you can't provide the documents for your route You'll be routed to manual verification. See "How to choose the manual verification route in Zinc" below. ### Can I use a certified copy of my UK/Irish birth certificate for a Standard or Enhanced DBS check? No, not for the digital route. A UK/Irish birth certificate can be used in manual identity verification cases, usually alongside proof of National Insurance and additional documentation according to government guidelines, but it won't be accepted for the digital route. If you can't provide the photo ID documents your route needs, your recruiter will need to complete manual identity verification instead. In that case, follow the manual DBS identity document requirements provided in the Zinc flow. --- ## How to Choose the Manual Verification Route in Zinc If you can't provide the documents your route needs, Zinc asks you to say so during your identity check: - **No, I don't have one** appears when Zinc asks for one more document alongside your passport. - **No, I don't have two** appears when Zinc asks for two documents because you don't have a biometric passport. Selecting either option routes you to manual verification. Your employer will then complete the manual DBS identity verification with you before the application can proceed. You can also choose manual verification at the start of your identity check. Select **Verify manually instead** if you'd rather not share your documents digitally. It takes longer and may delay your results, so only choose it if you're not comfortable with the digital process. The accepted manual-route documents are listed below. The manual route uses DBS Group 1, Group 2a and Group 2b documents, and the number of documents required depends on whether the check is Basic, Standard or Enhanced. --- ## Manual DBS verification: accepted documents The document groups (Group 1, 2a, and 2b) are the same regardless of DBS check type. The difference between a Basic DBS and a Standard or Enhanced DBS is the number of documents required at each route, and the availability of a third route for Standard/Enhanced checks. ### Document Routes #### Basic DBS Your employer must use Route 1 where possible. They should move to Route 2 only if you cannot provide Route 1 documents, and only after a discussion with the applicant confirming there is a valid reason. **Route 1** - 1 document from Group 1 - 1 further document from Group 1, 2a, or 2b - The combination must confirm the applicant's name and date of birth. If it cannot, a third document may be added. **Route 2** - 1 document from Group 2a - 2 further documents from Group 2a or 2b - The combination must confirm the applicant's name and date of birth. If you cannot meet Route 2 requirements, your employer cannot submit a Basic DBS application. --- #### Standard or Enhanced DBS Your employer must use Route 1 where possible. They should move to Route 2 only if Route 1 is impossible, and to Route 3 only if both Routes 1 and 2 are impossible. **Route 1** - 1 document from Group 1 - 2 further documents from Group 1, 2a, or 2b - The combination must confirm the applicant's name and date of birth. **Route 2** - 1 document from Group 2a - 2 further documents from Group 2a or 2b - The combination must confirm the applicant's name and date of birth. - The organisation must also use an appropriate external ID verification service. **Route 3** - 1 birth certificate issued more than 12 months after the time of birth (UK, Isle of Man, and Channel Islands) - 1 document from Group 2a - 3 further documents from Group 2a or 2b - The combination must confirm the applicant's name and date of birth. If you cannot meet Route 3 requirements, you may need to be fingerprinted. --- > **Important:** Name-change evidence is separate from the DBS identity-document route. A deed poll, change of name deed, or similar evidence can explain why names differ, but it must not be counted as one of the required Group 1, Group 2a, or Group 2b identity-route documents because deed poll/change of name deed is not listed in the Document Groups below. A marriage or civil partnership certificate is different: when issued in the UK or Channel Islands, it is listed as a Group 2a document and can count where the selected manual route allows a Group 2a document. For example, for a Standard or Enhanced DBS Route 1 check, a passport + utility bill + deed poll is not enough because the deed poll does not count as a route document. ### Counting Name-Change Evidence Versus DBS Route Documents When deciding whether a manual Standard or Enhanced DBS document bundle is sufficient, count only documents that are explicitly listed in the DBS Group 1, Group 2a, or Group 2b route tables and allowed by the selected route. Name-change evidence is not automatically a route document. - Deed poll, unenrolled deed poll, enrolled deed poll, change-of-name deed, and similar documents can explain why names differ, but they are not listed as Group 1, Group 2a, or Group 2b route documents. Do not count them toward the required manual identity-route document total. - A UK or Channel Islands marriage/civil partnership certificate is different: it is explicitly listed as a Group 2a document, so it can count where the selected manual route allows a Group 2a document. - For Standard or Enhanced DBS Route 1, passport + current driving licence is only two route documents and is not enough on its own. Passport + current driving licence + deed poll is also not enough, because deed poll does not count as the third route document. - You would need one more valid listed Group 1, Group 2a, or Group 2b document. A utility bill is one possible Group 2b document if it meets the issue-date and format rules, but it is not mandatory if another valid listed document is available. - Passport + current driving licence + UK/Channel Islands marriage certificate can satisfy the document-counting part of Standard or Enhanced Route 1, provided the documents are original/valid, permitted for that route, and together satisfy the DBS name and date-of-birth checks. Do not treat deed poll as equivalent to marriage certificate for route counting. ### Document Groups > Do not accept the foreign equivalent of an identity document if that document is listed as **(UK)** below. #### Group 1: Primary Identity Documents | Document | Notes | |---|---| | Passport | Any current and valid passport. A UK passport can be expired by up to 6 months. | | e-Visa | Accessed via the View and Prove service. The applicant should request an 'immigration status' share code. If you don't have a UKVI account, you can create one at GOV.UK. | | Biometric Residence Permit (BRP) | UK. A BRP showing Indefinite Leave to Remain, Indefinite Leave to Enter, or No Time Limit can be used up to 18 months past the BRP expiry date. BRP holders should be encouraged to create an account and access their eVisa. | | Application Registration Card (ARC) | Issued by the Home Office. Must be checked against the Home Office Employer Checking Service. | | Current driving licence photocard (full or provisional) | UK, Isle of Man, and Channel Islands. Must be current and valid. Note: the paper counterpart has not been valid since 8 June 2015. | | Birth certificate — issued within 12 months of birth | UK, Isle of Man, and Channel Islands — including those issued by UK authorities overseas (e.g. embassies, High Commissions, HM Forces). Must be the original certificate. Certified copies are a Group 2a document. | | Adoption certificate | UK and Channel Islands. | #### Group 2a: Trusted Government Documents | Document | Notes | |---|---| | Current driving licence photocard (full or provisional) | All countries outside the UK (excluding Isle of Man and Channel Islands). Must be current and valid. | | Current driving licence — paper version (issued before March 2000) | UK, Isle of Man, and Channel Islands. Must be current and valid, and all information including name and address must be up to date. | | Birth certificate — issued more than 12 months after birth | UK, Isle of Man, and Channel Islands. | | Marriage/civil partnership certificate | UK and Channel Islands. | | Immigration document, visa, or work permit | Issued by a country outside the UK. Valid only for roles where the applicant is living and working outside the UK. The visa/permit must relate to the non-UK country where the role is based. | | HM Forces ID card or HM Armed Forces Veteran card | UK. | | Firearms licence | UK, Isle of Man, and Channel Islands. | #### Group 2b: Financial and Social History Documents | Document | Notes | Issue Date / Validity | |---|---|---| | Mortgage statement | UK | Issued in last 12 months | | Bank or building society statement | UK and Channel Islands. A printed statement stamped and signed by the bank is acceptable if hard copy statements are unavailable. | Issued in last 3 months | | Bank or building society statement | Countries outside the UK. Branch must be in the country where the applicant lives and works. | Issued in last 3 months | | Bank or building society account opening confirmation letter | UK | Issued in last 3 months | | Credit card statement | UK | Issued in last 3 months | | Financial statement (e.g. pension or endowment) | UK | Issued in last 12 months | | P45 or P60 statement | UK and Channel Islands. Original only — cannot be an online document or PDF printout. | Issued in last 12 months | | Council Tax statement | UK and Channel Islands | Issued in last 12 months | | Letter of sponsorship from future UK employment provider | Valid only for applicants residing outside the UK at time of application. | Must still be valid | | Utility bill | UK — not a mobile telephone bill. Cannot be printed from an online account. | Issued in last 3 months | | Benefit statement (e.g. Child Benefit, State Pension) | UK | Issued in last 12 months | | Central or local government / agency document giving entitlement | UK and Channel Islands — e.g. letters confirming PIP, free school meals, Universal Credit, asylum support. | Issued in last 12 months | | HMRC self-assessment letter or tax demand letter | UK | Issued in last 12 months | | European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) or Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC) | UK | Must still be valid | | EEA National ID card | — | Must still be valid | | Irish Passport Card | Cannot be used alongside an Irish passport. | Must still be valid | | Cards carrying the PASS accreditation logo | UK, Isle of Man, and Channel Islands. Digital PASS cards are acceptable where issued by an approved digital PASS provider and the QR code has been used to confirm details. | Must still be valid | | Letter from head teacher, college principal, or apprenticeship provider | UK — for 16–19 year olds in full-time education or an apprenticeship. For exceptional circumstances only, where no other documents can be provided. | Issued in last month | These manual-route documents still need to be checked by your employer. They are not a workaround for digital verification. If you can't provide the documents your digital route needs, choose the relevant option in Zinc so the manual route is triggered. --- ## I Don't Have Valid Photo ID If you don't have any valid photo ID, you won't be able to complete digital identity verification through Zinc. Your employer will need to verify your identity in person before your DBS check can proceed. Choose the relevant option in your identity check, or select **Verify manually instead**. This routes you to manual verification, and your employer will contact you to arrange it directly. See "Manual DBS verification: accepted documents" above for the documents your employer can use for the manual route. --- ## My name has changed All documents you submit must match the **current name on your DBS application**. If your name has changed — for example, due to marriage, divorce, or deed poll — you must: - Declare **each** name change on your application - Provide **documentary proof** for changes (for example, a marriage certificate or deed poll certificate) A deed poll, change of name deed, or similar name-change document can support a name-change or name-mismatch review, but it is not a photo ID and does not replace the required DBS identity documents. For digital identity verification, it does not replace any of the photo ID documents your route requires. For a manual DBS identity check, only documents that appear in the DBS Group 1, Group 2a, or Group 2b manual-route lists can be counted toward the required route documents. A marriage or civil partnership certificate is treated differently from a deed poll for manual DBS checks: if it was issued in the UK or Channel Islands, it is listed as a Group 2a document and can count where the selected manual route allows a Group 2a document. If you're unsure what proof to provide, contact us and we can advise. --- ### Manual DBS checks: deed poll is not the same as marriage certificate For manual Standard or Enhanced DBS identity verification, some proof of name change can be accepted as a Group 1, Group 2a, or Group 2b route document while others are only sufficient as evidence of a name change. - A deed poll or change-of-name deed can be used as evidence of a name change, but it is not a listed Group 1, Group 2a, or Group 2b route document. It cannot be the missing third document for Standard or Enhanced DBS Route 1. - A UK or Channel Islands marriage/civil partnership certificate is listed as a Group 2a document, so it can count where Group 2a documents are allowed. - Passport + current driving licence is only two listed route documents for Standard or Enhanced Route 1. Passport + current driving licence + deed poll is still only two listed route documents. - You would still need one more valid listed route document. A utility bill may work if it meets the DBS Group 2b rules, but another valid listed Group 1, 2a, or 2b document may also work. ## Passport Countries for the NFC Chip Scan **This list only affects the NFC chip scan.** It doesn't decide whether your passport is accepted overall. A biometric passport from a country that isn't on this list is still accepted for digital verification. You'll be asked for a second document instead of scanning your passport's chip. Zinc can complete an NFC chip scan on a biometric passport from any of the following countries. Being on this list doesn't guarantee the scan will work, because your passport also needs a working NFC chip, and some older passports don't have one. - Albania - Algeria - Andorra - Anguilla - Antigua and Barbuda - Argentina - Australia - Austria - Azerbaijan - Bahrain - Barbados - Belarus - Belgium - Belize - Benin - Bermuda - Bosnia and Herzegovina - Botswana - Brazil - Bulgaria - Burkina Faso - Cabo Verde - Cameroon - Canada - Cayman Islands - Chile - China - Colombia - Congo (Democratic Republic of the) - Costa Rica - Croatia - Cyprus - Czech Republic - Denmark - Dominica - Ecuador - Estonia - Faroe Islands - Finland - France - Georgia - Germany - Gibraltar - Greece - Grenada - Guernsey - Holy See - Hungary - Iceland - Iraq - Ireland - Isle of Man - Israel - Italy - Jamaica - Japan - Jersey - Kazakhstan - Korea (Republic of) - Kuwait - Kyrgyzstan - Latvia - Liechtenstein - Lithuania - Luxembourg - Malaysia - Malta - Mexico - Moldova (Republic of) - Monaco - Montenegro - Morocco - Nepal - Netherlands - New Zealand - North Macedonia - Norway - Oman - Panama - Philippines - Poland - Portugal - Qatar - Romania - Russian Federation - San Marino - Saudi Arabia - Saint Helena, Ascension and Tristan da Cunha - Saint Lucia - Saint Vincent and the Grenadines - Serbia - Singapore - Slovakia - Slovenia - Spain - Sweden - Switzerland - Taiwan - Thailand - Timor-Leste - Turkey - Turkmenistan - Uganda - Ukraine - United Arab Emirates - United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland - Uruguay - Virgin Islands (British) --- *Last updated October 2026 to reflect the new digital identity verification journeys for DBS checks.*