Providing proof of your identity for a basic check (2024)

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 sevendays. 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

Tosend your identity documents to AccessNI, you can:

• take a picture of the documents with asmart 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 sendthe documents.

Send your documents:

• by email toaccessni-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 twodocuments from Group 1, Group 2a or Group 2b. One document must show yourcurrent 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'tprovide these documents, contact AccessNI:

• telephone 0300 200 7788

You mightneed:

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

Group 1 identitydocuments

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)

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• 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:

• EEANational 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 usedif 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