Skip to main content
N I Direct government services

Main navigation

  • Home
  • News
  • Contacts
  • Help
  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • YouTube
  • RSS

Breadcrumb

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

Apply online for a basic check through a responsible body

You need an nidirect account to apply online for a basic check. You can only apply if the organisation that asked you for the check gave you a personal identification number (PIN). Your application must be approved by the AccessNI-responsible body before being submitted to AccessNI for processing.

Before you start

When you create your nidirect account, you’ll receive a confirmation email immediately. Once you activate your account, you can log in and apply for a basic check. You’ll need:

  • PIN given to you by the organisation that asked you for a basic check
  • your home addresses for the last five years
  • your National Insurance number
  • your driving licence and passport numbers (if you have these documents)

AccessNI account

If you created an AccessNI account before 17 July 2018, you can't use this to apply for a check. You must create an nidirect account and log in to apply.

You can link your AccessNI account to your nidirect account. Log in to your nidirect account and follow the instructions for linking accounts.

Disclosure certificate

If you have no criminal history to disclose, you’ll receive a digital disclosure certificate. You can view the certificate from your nidirect account.  If the check discloses criminal history or you requested a paper copy, you’ll receive a printed certificate by post.

To send a copy of your digital certificate to an employer, select the share button on your nidirect account and include the email address.  When you share your disclosure certificate with someone, it's only visible to them for three days.

Privacy notice

To find out how personal information you send to AccessNI is handled when using this service, go to:  

  • AccessNI privacy notice

 

Create or log in to an nidirect account or apply for a basic check

Additional information

When you apply online for a basic check, you’ll get an email confirming the responsible body received your application for approval. When your application is approved, AccessNI will process it.

To track your application’s progress, log in to your nidirect account.

  • Log in to an nidirect account

Accessibility statement

To find out how accessible the nidirect AccessNI service is and what is being done to improve accessibility, see accessibility statement for AccessNI.

More useful links

  • Identity assurance
Share this page Share on Facebook (external link opens in a new window / tab) Share on Twitter (external link opens in a new window / tab) Share by email (external link opens in a new window / tab)

Apply for an AccessNI check

  • Apply online for a basic check
  • Apply online for a basic check through a responsible body
  • Apply online for a standard check through a registered body
  • Apply online for an enhanced check through a registered body
  • Costs and turnaround times
  • Log in to an nidirect account

Translation help

How to translate this page

Help improve this page - send your feedback

What do you want to do?
Report a problem
Which problem did you find on this page? (Tick all that apply)

Messages

You will not receive a reply. We will consider your feedback to help improve the site.

Don't include any personal or financial information, for example National Insurance, credit card numbers, or phone numbers.

What is your question about?

What to do next

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

Discretionary support / Short-term benefit advance

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

Disability Living Allowance

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.

For queries or advice about claiming compensation due to a road problem, contact DFI Roads claim unit.

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

  • Restrictions or regulations — contact the Department of Health
  • 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

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.

Related sites

  • gov.uk
  • nibusinessinfo.co.uk

Links to supporting information

  • Accessibility statement
  • Crown copyright
  • Terms and conditions
  • Privacy
  • Cookies
  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • YouTube
  • RSS