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AccessNI: Criminal record checks

Providing proof of your identity for a basic check

If you are applying for a basic check you will need to send proof of your identity to AccessNI to complete your application. You must do this within seven days or they can't process your application. You need to use acceptable forms of identification.

Completing a basic check application

Your application for a basic check is not complete until AccessNI has received the required proof of your identity.

You must send the required proof of your identity to AccessNI within seven days. AccessNI won't process your application without this proof.

When you pay online for the check, you'll receive a confirmation email from AccessNI. This email includes an attachment telling you how to send AccessNI proof of your identity.

How to send your identity documents

To send your identity documents to AccessNI, you can:

  • take a picture of the documents with a smart phone and send by email
  • scan the documents and attach to an email
  • send the copies by post

You must also include an attachment or copy of the confirmation email when you send the documents. 

Send your documents:

  • by email to accessni-iddocuments@accessni.gov.uk 
  • by post to AccessNI

Acceptable forms of identification

You must send three forms of ID to AccessNI. One document from Group 1 and two documents from Group 1, Group 2a or Group 2b. One document must show your current address.  

If you can't provide a document from Group 1, you must send four documents from Groups 2a and 2b.  One document must be a birth certificate.  One document must show your current home address.

If you can't provide these documents, contact AccessNI:

  • telephone 0300 200 7788

You might need:

  • to get an external validation check from a commercial organisation
  • to go to a police station to have your fingerprints taken

Group 1 identity documents

You must select one from the list below:

  • current passport (any nationality)
  • Biometric Residence Permit (UK)
  • current driving licence photocard (full or provisional) (UK, Isle of Man, Channel Islands or Ireland)
  • birth certificate issued within 12 months of birth (UK, Isle of Man or Channel Islands)
  • original long form Irish birth certificate issued at time of registration of birth (Ireland)
  • adoption certificate (UK, Channel Islands or Ireland)

Group 2a identity documents

You must select two from the list below:

  • birth certificate (UK, ROI, Isle of Man or Channel Islands) issued after time of birth
  • marriage/civil partnership certificate (UK, Channel Islands or Ireland)

  • HM Forces ID card (UK)
  • firearms licence (UK, Channel Islands and Isle of Man)

  • current driving licence photocard (full or provisional) (all countries outside the UK excluding Isle of Man and Channel Islands)

  • current driving licence, full or provisional paper version if issued before 1998 (UK, Isle of Man and Channel Islands)

  • electoral ID card (NI only)
  • Immigration document, visa or work permit (UK)

Group 2b documents

From the list below, you must use documents issued in the last 12 months:

  • mortgage statement (UK or Ireland)

  • financial statement, for example ISA, pension or endowment (UK or Ireland)

  • P45 or P60 statement (UK, Channel Islands)
  • Land & Property Services rates demand (Northern Ireland only)

  • council tax statement (UK and Channel Islands)

From the list below, you must use documents issued in the last three months:

  • credit card statement (UK, Channel Islands or Ireland)

  • bank or building society statement (UK, Channel Islands or Ireland)

  • bank or building society statement (Countries outside the UK) – the branch must be in the country where you live and work

  • central or local government, government agency, or local council document giving entitlement, for example from the Department for Work and Pensions, The Employment Service, HMRC (UK, Channel Islands)
  • bank or building society account opening confirmation letter (UK or Ireland)
  • utility bill but not a mobile telephone bill (UK or Ireland)

  • benefit statement such as child benefit, pensions (UK)

Documents on the list below must be valid when you apply for the check:

  • EEA National ID card
  • 60+ or Senior (65+) Smartpass issued by Translink (NI)
  • yLink card issued by Translink (NI)
  • cards carrying the PASS accreditation logo (UK, Isle of Man, Channel Islands)
  • letter from head teacher or further education college principal (UK for 16 to 19 year olds in full time education, this is used if other documents cannot be provided)
  • letter of sponsorship from future employment provider or voluntary organisation (valid only for applicants residing outside UK and Ireland at time of application
  • Irish Passport Card (cannot be used with an Irish passport)

More useful links

  • Information disclosed in a criminal record check
  • Disputing an AccessNI certificate
  • Criminal record checks for working abroad

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 individuals

  • AccessNI advice and complaints
  • AccessNI open umbrella bodies
  • Apply for an AccessNI check
  • Criminal record checks for working abroad
  • Disputing an AccessNI certificate
  • Information disclosed in a criminal record check
  • Providing proof of your identity for a basic check
  • Types of AccessNI checks
  • Using a criminal record check

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

If you have a comment or query about benefits, you will need to contact the government department or agency which handles that benefit.  Contacts for common benefits are listed below.

Carer's Allowance

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

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Call 0800 587 2750 
Email 
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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.

For queries or advice about Child Maintenance, contact the Child Maintenance Service.

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If you can’t find the information you’re looking for in the Coronavirus (COVID-19) section, then for queries about:

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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

For queries or advice about employment rights, contact the Labour Relations Agency.

For queries or advice about birth, death, marriage and civil partnership certificates and research, contact the General Register Office Northern Ireland (GRONI) by email gro_nisra@finance-ni.gov.uk

For queries about the High Street Spend Local Scheme,  email HSSS.mail@economy-ni.gov.uk.

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.

For queries or advice about Penalty Charge Notices (PCNs), including parking tickets and bus lane PCNs, email dcu@infrastructure-ni.gov.uk

For queries or advice about pensions, contact the Northern Ireland Pension Centre.

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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