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AccessNI: Criminal record checks

Types of AccessNI checks

AccessNI provides basic, standard and enhanced checks. Depending on the level of check, different criminal records and cautions are disclosed on a person's certificate. An employer must know the check required for a job or volunteering role.

Basic check

A basic AccessNI check has all unspent convictions or will state that no convictions were found.

Anyone can apply for a basic check. An employer can ask all job applicants to apply for a basic check during the recruitment process.

  • Apply online for a basic check
  • Apply online for a basic check through a responsible body

Standard check

A standard check discloses an individual’s criminal record, giving:

  • spent and unspent convictions
  • informed warnings and other non-court disposals from the Police National Computer

Some old and minor convictions and non-court disposals on a criminal record may not be disclosed. Fixed penalty tickets and parking fines aren't included in a standard check.

Standard checks are only available where the position or role in question is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders (NI) Order 1978. They are not suitable for roles working with children or vulnerable adults.

An individual cannot apply for a standard check. An application for a standard check must be counter-signed by an AccessNI-registered organisation.

You must be 16 years of age or older to get a standard check.

  • Apply online for a standard check through a registered body

To read costs of checks, go to:

  • Costs and turnaround times

Enhanced check

An enhanced check discloses an individual’s full criminal record, giving:

  • spent and unspent convictions from the Police National Computer
  • cautions, informed warnings and other non-court disposals from the Police National Computer
  • information held by the Disclosure and Barring Service (for positions in regulated activity)
  • information held by the police that is relevant to the role applied for

Some old and minor convictions and non-court disposals on a criminal record may be filtered. Fixed penalty tickets or parking fines aren't included in an enhanced check.

Enhanced checks are normally required where the applicant will work or volunteer in a role providing services to or having close and regular supervision of children  or vulnerable adults.  

An individual cannot apply for an enhanced check. An application for an enhanced check must be counter-signed by an AccessNI-registered organisation.

You must be 16 years old or over to get an enhanced check.  The only exception is for family members of an applicant, under 16, where the applicant is registering as a childminder or wants to adopt or foster a child.

  • Apply online for an enhanced check through a registered body

More useful links

  • Apply for an AccessNI check
  • Criminal record checks for working abroad
  • Costs and turnaround times

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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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

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