DBS Check - What to Expect

Before you begin to complete your DBS application, you may find it helpful to read this guide on what to expect from the application process

• You will need to have your UK Driving License, Passport and National Insurance number to hand if you have these
• The application requires your title, forename, middle(s), surname and gender
• You will be asked to supply any previous names that you have been known by, this includes forenames, middle names and surnames. You will be asked to provide the dates in which you were known by these names, from and to
• If you are currently using any professional names you will need to declare these. To do this, enter your primary name as your current name and your professional name as a previous name. Put the current date in the 'Date Used' field
• You will need to enter your country of birth, including the town/city
• Your nationality will need to be provided
• You need to input your current address, this should be the same address that is shown on your identity documents. This must be a UK address.
• You will be asked to provide your 5-year address history. When you enter this information you must include every address you have lived at without any gaps. Overlapping addresses are accepted. The application needs the following; House name/number, street name, town/city, postcode and country, as well as the lived in which you lived at these addresses.

Overseas Addresses or Unusual Addresses

• British Forces Post Office (BFPO) addresses only require the BFPO number and the dates you lived at the address
• If you worked or lived on a ship, include the mooring address of the vessel for the period you were abroad
• If you lived at a protected address or a refuge, you only need to enter the address. Please don’t make reference to the nature of this address
• If you have lived overseas for an extended period, you should enter OVERSEAS into the first line of your previous address, then enter the country and dates in the provided fields. We don’t need to know about holidays unless they have become your permanent residence, in which case it should be included
• If you are a student, frequently travel with your work or are employed as medical staff and live in accommodation you can have another permanent address which you think of as home. This address could be a family home or your parents house where you normally live when not away, for example during an academic year

Previous Identities

The DBS have an experienced team who can help with sensitive cases should you not wish to disclose any previous identities to your employer. Please call 0300 106 1452 or email sensitive@dbs.gov.uk for help with completing your DBS application.