Standard Disclosure Certificate.

Please note: Standard and Enhanced Disclosure Certificates can only be issued for application purposes in the UK.

A Standard Disclosure is termed as a "criminal record certificate" under Part V of the Police Act 1997, and it includes convictions held on central records. It also records both spent and unspent convictions. This means that even minor convictions, perhaps dating from years ago, are included on the Disclosure. The Standard Disclosure is available on payment of the appropriate fee, subject to the application first being countersigned by a registered person (usually the potential employer or voluntary organisation, that is, the Registered Body).

A Standard Certificate for Scotland is sent to the applicant and a copy is also sent to the person who countersigned the application on behalf of the Registered Body. A Standard Certificate for the rest of the UK is sent to the applicant and a copy is also sent to the person who countersigned the application on behalf of the Registered Body and the employer.

From the time the application has been received we process 90% of standard checks in 14 days.

The cost of obtaining a Standard Disclosure Certificate it 55 Pounds.

Who is required to obtain a Standard Disclosure Certificate?

The main categories of occupations for which a Standard Disclosure may be required are:

• those checked in the interests of national security;
• those involved in the administration of law;
• those applying for firearms, explosives and gaming licences;
• professional groups in health, pharmacy and law;
• senior managers in banking and financial services.

Standard Disclosure is required on entry into the following professions:

Finance

• Accountant
• Actuary

Legal

• Barrister
• Foreign Lawyer
• Legal Executive
• Receiver appointed by the Court of Protection

Others

• Vet

Standard Disclosure is required for the following types of work:

• Health Services
• Managers of abortion clinics

Legal

• In the Crown Prosecution Service
• Justices’ chief executives, justices clerks and their assistants

Licensing

• Licence issued by the new Security Industry Authority
• Taxi licence
• Alcohol licence only require a Basic Disclosure

Others

• Employment in HM Customs and Excise
• Financial services sector
• Firearms dealers
• Gaming industry
• Monitoring internet communications for the purpose of child protection
• RSPCA
• Safeguarding national security

Police/Prisons

• Employment in the National Crime Squad or the National Criminal Intelligence Service
• Employment in the Serious Fraud Squad
• Police Officers
• Probation officers.
• Staff who work in probation and bail hostels
• Traffic wardens
• Work in a prison or high security psychiatric hospital