A Guide to Background Checks in the United Kingdom
Checkr makes it simple for you to rapidly scale your hiring while minimizing the complexity of ever-changing background check regulations, whether you have candidates in the UK or all over the world.
- Select a topic to scroll directly to it:
- Criminal search
- UK right to work
- Education verification
- Employment verification
- Global watchlist search
- Disclaimer
International hiring can be challenging. Laws and regulations related to background checks differ by country and are always changing. Language and cultural nuances also add complexity.
Learn more about the different types of background checks Checkr provides for people working in the UK, or those who have a history of working or living in the UK and are now working elsewhere in the world.
Criminal search
What is it?
Criminal records encompass a nationwide level search of the United Kingdom which includes England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland. This document relates only to England and Wales.
There are three search levels for criminal records in the UK. These are Basic, Standard, and Enhanced.
- The Basic DBS check provides the lowest level of disclosure and can be requested by any individual over 16. The basic search is conducted at the national level and returns details of unspent convictions as defined by the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974. If no unspent convictions are found, the Disclosure will state there are no convictions.
- The Standard and Enhanced searches are available only for specific positions and can only be applied for by registered bodies or umbrella bodies and have additional requirements such as additional signatures.
Checkr currently offers the Basic criminal check.
Source
Criminal history information for employment purposes is not obtained directly from courts or police stations. England and Wales uses Disclosure and Barring Services (DBS).
Information requirements
- Applicant’s Name - Last Name, First Name, and Middle Name
- Date of birth (DOB)
- Address in Country
- National ID
- Citizenship
- Passport Scan
- Authorization Form
- Special Release Form – This must be completed by the applicant and provided to Checkr. The forms will vary depending on the process to follow.
- The following is a list of supporting documentation acceptable for Identification purposes. Three (3) forms of identification are required to confirm name and date of birth.
- Photo Driver’s License
- Copy of passport
- Copy of National ID card
- Birth Certificate
- UK National Insurance Number
- Applicant’s address history details covering at least the past five years and address in the country with dates of residence. Proof of current address is required, must be dated within 3 months, and may not be a lease agreement.
- Employer’s address (if the disclosure certificate must be sent to the Employer)
The Employer must verify the candidate’s ID over video conference using a required document and submit consent to having done so to Checkr.
Estimated turnaround time
On average 6 to 7 business days but it can take up to 14 business days.
Order a UK background check
UK right to work
What is it?
A UK right to work check verifies a candidate's eligibility to work in the United Kingdom. The Home Office, which manages UK safety and immigration, allows these checks to be conducted digitally through a verified identity services provider (IDSP).
This digital verification applies to British or Irish citizens with a valid passport or passport card. Foreign nationals can verify their eligibility through a share code, which is a unique code issued by the UK government to conduct an online verification of their immigration status and right to work.
Checkr offers several ways for employers to conduct a UK right to work check:
- Standalone UK right to work check
- Paired with a DBS (international criminal check)
- Bundled with other verifications (such as employment and education verification) + international criminal check
Source
If ordering a UK right to work check:
- British and Irish citizens with a valid passport or passport card can confirm employment eligibility digitally through a verified IDSP
- Foreign nationals with a share code can confirm employment eligibility digitally through the UK government website
- All other use cases require manual review: British and Irish citizens without a valid passport or passport card and foreign nationals without a share code
If ordering an international criminal search + UK right to work check:
- The international criminal check for England and Wales uses the Disclosure and Barring Services (DBS)
- Documents for British or Irish citizens are verified digitally through a verified IDSP
Information requirements
- British or Irish citizens: British passport or an Irish passport or passport card
- Non-British or non-Irish citizens: Sharecode or immigration documents
Checkr’s UK right to work product enables candidates to input their share code into the application flow, where employers can access and manually verify it. Candidate’s can also choose to provide immigration documents.
British or Irish citizens with an expired passport or passport card can prove their right to work by showing one of the following documents to their employer, in-person:
- A UK birth or adoption certificate
- An Irish birth or adoption certificate
- A certificate of registration or naturalization as a British citizen
Candidates must also present an official letter or document from a previous employer or a government agency, such as a letter from HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC), the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP), or the Social Security Agency in Northern Ireland. The letter must show the candidate's name and National Insurance number.
Estimated turnaround time
- Standalone UK right to work check: Approximately 1 business day
- UK right to work check + other checks, such as international criminal check: 14-15 days
Education verification
What is it?
The verification of academic status of any educational level such as high school, college and post grad. It may include institution name, dates of attendance, graduation/conferred date, degree obtained, major, minor, honors, awards, and comments.
Source
Sources include educational institutions across the UK in addition to Examination Boards or awarding organizations. These Examination Boards are responsible for setting and awarding qualifications for secondary education level. Please note that these examination boards may require additional documentation and fees for education verifications. The names and titles of the sources will be provided when applicable.
Information requirements
- Applicant’s Name - Last Name, First Name, Middle Name
- Name While Attending (Local Characters)
- Date of birth (DOB)
- Institution’s Name
- Institution Address
- Institution Telephone Number
- Dates of Attendance
- Graduation/Conferred Date
- Degree Obtained
- Major
- Minor
- Authorization form
Some institutions may require additional documentation. Upon request from the institution, Checkr will notify you of any additional requirements.
Estimated turnaround time
On average 6 to 7 business days. Verifications will be closed, as Unable to Verify, after 15 business days of unsuccessful attempts.
Employment verification
What is it?
Verification of previous employment history to confirm work experience. It may include employer’s name, dates of employment, position/title, reason for leaving, eligibility for rehire, and comments. If available for disclosure by the source, salary information will be provided.
Source
Government agencies and employers in the UK. The names and titles of the sources will be provided when applicable.
Information requirements
- Applicant’s Name - Last Name, First Name, Middle Name
- Date of birth (DOB)
- Employer’s Name
- Employer’s Address
- Employer’s Telephone Number
- Dates of Employment
- Position/Title
- Reason for Leaving
- Authorization form
Some employers may have unique processes for providing verifications that may include special authorization forms, experience letters, employment reference letters, etc. These additional requirements will be communicated at the time of ordering if the need for additional information arises with a specific employer.
Estimated turnaround time
On average 6 to 7 business days. Verifications will be closed, as Unable to Verify, after 15 business days of unsuccessful attempts.
Global watchlist
What is it?
The Global Watchlist Search product provides a thorough search of multiple National and International repositories resources such as watch lists, PEPs and associates, and sanctions data available around the world. Our product's technology continually searches for updated data within the thousands of list sources, indexing new data information every day and providing the most up-to-date results.
This is an automated search that continually searches for updated data across all available sources, indexing new data information every time to ensure delivery of only the most up-to-date results.
Source
The Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC), FBI Most Wanted (incl. Terrorists), FBI Seeking Information, FBI Hijack Suspects, Politically Exposed Persons, governmental lists, sanctions, enforcements and warnings from over 500 agencies, criminal courts, & news sources from around the world.
Information requirements
- Last name
- First name
- Date of birth (DOB)
- Authorization Form
Estimated turnaround time
On average 2 days. Verifications will be closed, as Unable to Verify, after 15 business days of unsuccessful attempts.
Disclaimer
This guide is provided for general educational purposes only. It is not legal advice, and we encourage you to seek your own independent counsel when evaluating these services. Importantly, the specific screenings offered by Checkr do not guarantee an organization’s legal rights to request or use them. Several factors, including the residency and location of your organization and your candidates, may implicate additional data privacy and employment laws.
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