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AccessNI complaints and disputes

If you have a complaint you should contact us by letter, fax or e-mail.

How to complain

You can write to AccessNI.  

To find out the AccessNI address, phone number and email, click on the link below:

AccessNI aims to resolve 90 per cent of complaints within two weeks.

AccessNI complaints made on the telephone will not be formally recorded.

How to raise a dispute

If you believe the information disclosed about you is inaccurate, you should contact your Registered Body, in the case of a standard or enhanced check, and ask them to raise a dispute with AccessNI in writing.

If the dispute involves information on a basic check, you can write directly to AccessNI with your concerns.

Any dispute must be made in writing to AccessNI and should include as much information about the discrepancy as possible.

It is very important that the dispute letter quotes the certificate reference number along with the full name, address and postcode of the applicant.

Applicants have a three month time limit (90 days), from the date of issue of a certificate, in which to raise a dispute.

How disputes will be resolved

Where an error can be attributed to AccessNI, it will be corrected and a replacement disclosure certificate issued free of charge to both the applicant and, where appropriate, the Registered Body.

If the dispute is traced to an error by either the Registered Body or applicant (for example a misspelt name) AccessNI will require a fresh disclosure application, the usual fee will apply. It is therefore very important that you ensure the information provided to AccessNI is accurate and legible.

If a record is confirmed, the dispute is with the organisation which created the record. AccessNI will pass the dispute to the organisation in question and will advise when this has happened.

In some cases, police forces may require fingerprints to resolve a dispute.

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