Choosing between DBS, ACRO and foreign criminal-record certificates

Katerina Galkina · EN · 07/10/2026

Establish the purpose and exact document name

A DBS employment check, an ACRO Police Certificate for an overseas visa and a certificate from a former country of residence serve different purposes. Before paying, ask the recipient to specify the document, check level, issuing country, permitted age and any apostille requirement.

Translating each as a “no criminal record certificate” does not make them interchangeable. A basic DBS showing no disclosed records does not establish the absence of every record worldwide throughout your lifetime. Answer visa questions according to their wording, rather than relying exclusively on one certificate.

Check the DBS level for employment

GOV.UK distinguishes basic, standard and enhanced checks ↗. Basic checks concern the relevant unspent records; more detailed levels depend on legal eligibility for the role, subject to disclosure and filtering rules. Ordering the most detailed version “just in case” is not a universal option.

The employer or registered organisation normally determines the appropriate process. Paid self-employed people and personal employees now have a separate route for eligible enhanced checks ↗, so “individuals can only obtain basic checks” is not an unconditional rule. Assess the particular role.

Select the correct jurisdiction

The providers include DBS, Disclosure Scotland and AccessNI. Guidance updated on 28 April 2026 ↗ explains selection according to the suitability decision, employment location or purpose; residential address is not sufficient in every case.

A British check does not replace information from former countries of residence. If an employer requests foreign criminal-record evidence, clarify the countries, periods and obtaining procedure. Work with children overseas may require an ICPC rather than an ordinary employment DBS.

Check ACRO and authentication for a visa

Many destinations require an ACRO Police Certificate ↗ when someone emigrates. Start with the consulate's requirements, then use ACRO's official service. Prepare identity details, former names and addresses, a photograph and any further evidence in its current checklist.

Compare standard and faster processing, delivery and the total charge in the application: processing and postage are separate periods. If an apostille is required, FCDO lists e-Apostille restrictions for ACRO and DBS certificates ↗; electronic authentication is not available for every certificate.

Check the name spelling after issue. Keep a scan, but establish return arrangements before sending an original. Do not substitute a subject access response for a Police Certificate: a document providing access to your own information may not satisfy a visa authority.