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Employment checks document cross reference tool

This tool has been designed to help recruiting managers quickly identify which documents can be used as part of the pre-employment check process.

4 February 2022

This resource identifies which documents are required for the identity, right to work and criminal record checks. To satisfy the checks, recruiting managers will need to seek and validate the document combinations as outlined below.

Identity checks

  • two forms of photographic ID and one form confirming address, or
  • one form of photographic ID and two forms confirming address, or
  • two forms confirming address, two forms of non-photographic and a passport sized photo.

The list of identity documents provided are recommended on the basis that they have required the individual to have some form of identity check for them to be issued and therefore offer the strongest assurance. Other evidence could be acceptable, refer to guidance on gov.uk

Right to work checks

  • one of the documents or combination of documents as outlined in list A, or
  • one of the documents or combination of documents as outlined in list B.

Detailed information on the documentary evidence required can be found on the UK visas and immigration section of the gov.uk website.

Criminal record checks

There are three routes employers should use to satisfy this check, each requiring a different combination of documents.

  • Route 1: is for all applicants from the UK. It also includes non-UK nationals (applying to volunteer in the UK). Applicants must provide one document from either the primary list (non-UK) or Group 1 (UK) and two further documents from either Group 1, 2a or 2b. Non-UK nationals applying for a volunteering role may need fingerprinting if they cannot provide these documents, no other route should be used. 
  • Route 2: is for applicants who cannot provide documents listed in route one and non-UK nationals (applying for paid work in the UK). Applicants must provide one document from Group 2a and two further documents from either Group 2a or 2b. Documents should be verified using an appropriate external ID verification process. 
  • Route 3: is for applicants who cannot provide the documents listen in routes one and two. Applicants must provide a birth certificate issued after the time of birth (UK and Channel Islands), one document from Group 2a and a further three documents from Group 2a or 2b.

Detailed information on the documentary evidence required can be found on the Disclosure and Barring Service website.

Employment checks document comparison tool