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The short answer
The documents you need depend on the check and the way your identity will be checked. Ask the organiser which route to follow before gathering your ID. For standard and enhanced checks, use the current DBS document lists. Any three documents, a scan or a video call will not necessarily be enough.
Scope: DBS in England and Wales; sector-specific rules may also apply
Check which guidance applies
For standard and enhanced checks, use the identity rules introduced in April 2025 and their later updates. Do not use the old 2021 rules. Basic checks have their own identity guidance. [1]
Ask the organiser which check is being requested, who will verify your identity, and whether you need to show documents in person or use an approved digital service. Establish that before travelling to an appointment or uploading documents.
The three standard/enhanced document routes
| Route | Outline |
|---|---|
| 1 | One Group 1 document and two further documents from Groups 1, 2a or 2b. |
| 2 | If Route 1 is impossible: one Group 2a document, two further Group 2a/2b documents, and an appropriate external identity-verification check. |
| 3 | If Routes 1 and 2 are impossible: the specified birth certificate, one Group 2a document and three further Group 2a/2b documents. |
Together, the documents must confirm your name and date of birth. Check the official document lists. The rules specify which countries documents may come from and how recent they must be. If the volunteer cannot meet any of the routes, the ID checker must follow the official alternative process. [2]
Prepare before the appointment
- Gather the documents requested for the chosen route.
- Prepare a full address history for the last five years.
- Check that names and dates agree across the application and evidence.
- Tell the checker about relevant name differences before submission.
- Ask how any unusual address or missing document should be handled.
This preparation checklist helps the appointment run smoothly; it is not a replacement document list. Do not buy a replacement document until the checker has confirmed which acceptable route is available.
Digital checks and video calls
A digital ID check must use a service certified to meet DBS requirements. It is not simply sending a photograph of a passport. The registered body remains responsible for meeting the DBS requirements. [3]
If the organiser offers remote checking, follow that provider’s stated process. An online application form does not necessarily mean all identity steps can be completed remotely. Avoid sending identity documents to an informal group chat or an unverified email address.
For organisers: make the instructions specific
Send one clear instruction containing the route, accepted evidence, who will see it, the appointment arrangements and the process if the volunteer cannot provide it. Link to the live official list so that a saved email does not become the only reference.
Record completion of identity verification separately from the eventual DBS result. Confirm the process with your checking provider before sending instructions to volunteers.
Sources and further reading
Last accuracy check: 25 September 2026. We review this series monthly against official guidance. Follow the linked guidance for the full conditions and any later changes.
- DBS: identity guidance and update history↩
- DBS: current standard/enhanced identity checking guidelines↩
- DBS: digital identity verification guidance↩
- GOV.UK: the checking process and current timescalesFurther reading.
Government guidance is attributed to the bodies linked above. Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0, where applicable. This guide provides general information; decisions depend on the specific role and setting.