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  • Breadcrumb

    1. Home
    2. Crime, justice and the law
    3. AccessNI criminal record checks
    4. AccessNI for employers
    AccessNI: Criminal record checks

    AccessNI registered bodies - signatories

    Only approved signatories are authorised to manage the registered body’s disclosure process. They make sure the applicant’s identity is checked and approve their application before it is submitted to AccessNI.

    Lead signatory in a registered body

    As part of the registration process, the organisation must appoint a lead signatory. The lead signatory must:

    • be over 18 years old
    • never have been removed from the AccessNI register
    • be checked for any criminal records

    If you don't meet these conditions, AccessNI can refuse to register you or allow you to become a lead signatory. AccessNI will ask the registered body to put forward another person.

    Once registered, the lead signatory will get a six digit personal identification number (PIN) for processing online applications. They can also appoint counter signatories to manage applications for the registered body.

    Counter signatory in a registered body

    AccessNI checks a counter signatory for criminal records before they can manage applications. If a counter signatory is unsuitable, AccessNI won't register them and will ask the registered body to put forward another person.

    It costs £13.00 to register each counter signatory. AccessNI will send an invoice for this amount to the registered body.  

    • AccessNI registered bodies

    Apply to become a counter signatory

    You must be invited by an AccessNI registered body to become a counter signatory. The lead signatory for the registered body will give you their six digit personal identification number (PIN). You need this PIN to apply online.

    You'll also need to create a unique account with nidirect. You shouldn't use an existing nidirect account to complete the counter signatory application.

    • Apply online to become a counter signatory

    Personal identification number (PIN)

    Once AccessNI approves your application to become a counter signatory, they'll give you a unique PIN. This PIN identifies that you are authorised to check and approve AccessNI applications for a particular registered body.

    You'll need to give this PIN to people applying online for a standard or enhanced check through your registered body.

    More useful links

    • AccessNI for employers
    • Checking job applicants, employees and volunteers

    Contact AccessNI

    Contact the AccessNI customer helpline to get advice or help with an application by phone on 0300 200 7888.

     

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    AccessNI for employers

    • AccessNI advice and complaints
    • AccessNI registered bodies
    • AccessNI registered bodies - signatories
    • AccessNI responsible bodies
    • AccessNI umbrella bodies
    • Checking job applicants, employees and volunteers
    • Disputing an AccessNI certificate
    • Employer obligations and fair treatment
    • Find an AccessNI umbrella body
    • General information for AccessNI employers
    • Guides, forms and templates for AccessNI employers
    • Online services for AccessNI employers

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    Comments or queries about angling can be emailed to anglingcorrespondence@daera-ni.gov.uk 

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    Call 0800 587 0912
    Email 
    dcs.incomingpostteamdhc2@nissa.gsi.gov.uk

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    Call 0800 587 2750 
    Email 
    customerservice.unit@communities-ni.gov.uk

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    Call 0800 587 0912 
    Email dcs.incomingpostteamdhc2@nissa.gsi.gov.uk

    Employment and Support Allowance

    Call 0800 587 1377

    Jobseeker’s Allowance

    Contact your local Jobs & Benefits office

    Personal Independence Payment

    Call 0800 587 0932

    If your query is about another benefit, select ‘Other’ from the drop-down menu above.

    Comments or queries about the Blue Badge scheme can be emailed to bluebadges@infrastructure-ni.gov.uk or you can also call 0300 200 7818.

    For queries or advice about careers, contact the Careers Service.

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    • Travel advice (including self-isolation) — contact the Department of Health
    • Coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccinations — contact the Department of Health or Public Health Agency

    If your query is about another topic, select ‘Other’ from the drop-down menu above.

    For queries about your identity check, email nida@nidirect.gov.uk and for queries about your certificate, email covidcertni@hscni.net.

    For queries or advice about criminal record checks, email ani@accessni.gov.uk

    Application and payment queries can be emailed to ema_ni@slc.co.uk

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    For queries about:

    • Car tax, vehicle registration and SORN
      contact the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA), Swansea
       
    • Driver licensing and tests, MOT and vehicle testing
      contact the Driver & Vehicle Agency (DVA), Northern Ireland

    If your query is about another topic, select ‘Other’ from the drop-down menu above.

    For queries about your identity check, email nida@nidirect.gov.uk.

     

    For queries or advice about passports, contact HM Passport Office.

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    If you wish to report a problem with a road or street you can do so online in this section.

    If you wish to check on a problem or fault you have already reported, contact DfI Roads.

    For queries or advice about historical, social or cultural records relating to Northern Ireland, use the Public Record Office of Northern Ireland (PRONI) enquiry service.

    For queries or advice about rates, email LPSCustomerTeam@lpsni.gov.uk

    For queries or advice about  60+ and Senior Citizen SmartPasses (which can be used to get concessionary travel on public transport), contact Smartpass - Translink.

    If you have a question about a government service or policy, you should contact the relevant government organisation directly.  We don't have access to information about you.

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