Most Common Mistakes On DBS Check Applications
Applying for a DBS check online has made it much easier for people to get a DBS certificate on time and without any issues.
You’re much less likely to make a mistake when submitting an online application form as the online DBS check application form has built-in checks that will highlight things like missing fields or some types of incorrect information.
However, mistakes will still happen that the computer doesn’t pick up. It doesn’t matter how many times you double check it, there’s still a small chance that a mistake will be made, which can delay the processing of your application.
If you don’t want to slow down the process and want to receive your DBS certificate in the usual timeframe of less than two weeks, then it’s worthwhile checking through your form for the following common mistakes before hitting the submit button.
Incomplete Address History
This is probably the most common DBS check application form mistakes of them all. The Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) requires you to provide your address history for the past five years before the application date.
People often make mistakes in this section as they may omit an address that they can’t remember or they had multiple residences at certain points, for instance university students may have a university accommodation address, as well as the address of their family home.
One of the best ways to find out your previous addresses over the past 5 years if you can’t remember them is to look through old bank statements or utility bill letters.
Also, you need to make sure that you fill in the dates accurately in the to and from boxes. Don’t be tempted to leave these blank as your application will be automatically rejected if you do.
Incorrect Names
It may sound unlikely, but many people make a mistake on the name section. They may misspell their name or forget to include previous names. This is especially true for people that have changed their surname due to marriage or they have changed their name by deed poll, swapping their first and middle names, for instance.
Make sure you include every name you’ve ever had, even if it falls outside of the five year period, as this will give you the best possible chance of your application being accepted.
Always include your middle name or names, even if it’s something you never use. If your middle name or names appear on official documents such as your driving licence or passport, then you should use it on the DBS check application form.
Including your middle name also helps to identify you from other people with the same first and surname. For instance, if your name is John Smith or Jane Evans then there are likely to be many people who share your name. Including your middle name provides an extra way to differentiate yourself.
Incorrect Date of Birth
Again, it may be surprising, but many people put the wrong date of birth when filling in DBS check application forms. A common mistake is to put today’s date instead, especially if people are not paying close enough attention.
Putting the wrong date of birth will definitely slow down your DBS application as it is one of the key identifiers that the DBS use to make sure they are looking at the right person’s criminal record. For Basic, Standard and Enhanced DBS Checks, you need to provide official ID documents to verify your ID and if the date of birth doesn’t tally with these, your application will be rejected.
Occasionally, people wish to change their date of birth, usually if there was a mistake on the birth certificate or the birth wasn’t properly recorded. If this happens then the individual should make sure that they change their date of birth on all official documents.
Misspellings
No matter how careful you are when you fill in the application form, you should always double check it before submitting, as it’s easy to misspell things or make a typo if submitting the DBS application form online.
One way to catch common mistaken spellings is to install software that checks spelling in your browser, such as Grammarly. This will flag up most misspelled words and you can change them before hitting the submit button.
The reason that typos and misspellings can cause problems with the application is that the person who is processing the DBS check may need to contact you to clarify details, for instance if you misspell one of your previous addresses or you mistype a word that could have two different meanings.
We recommend that you double and triple check your DBS application form for accuracy before submitting it as it will save you the time and effort of having to clarify details or resubmit the whole application.
Incorrect Documents
When you submit a DBS check, you are required to include ID documents and proof of address documents. The type of documents that are accepted are published in a list available from the DBS. If you send the wrong type of document, the DBS will reject your application as they adhere to the rules strictly.
The list of accepted documents for DBS checks are broken down into two main groups. You need to include one ID document from each group. Make sure you read the group instructions carefully to make sure that you include the right ones from both groups.
The groups are as follows:
- Group 1 – Primary identity documents – e.g. passport, driving license, birth certificate
- Group 2a – Official government documents – e.g. driving license, birth certificate, marriage certificate, firearms license, etc.
- Group 2b – Financial documents – e.g. bank statement, P45 or P60, mortgage statement, etc.
We recommend that you check out the DBS website to find out exactly which documents you need to include for each level of DBS check. Also, please be aware that the DBS will not accept photocopies, only the original documents.
If you cannot provide the documents requested, then you need to contact the DBS to discuss any other options with them.
Apply for Your DBS Check Online for Greater Accuracy
There’s no shame in making mistakes – we’re all human after all.
But making a mistake on a DBS check can cost you time and money, as you may experience a delay in getting your DBS certificate back or you may have to pay to make a new application.
One of the best ways to reduce or even eliminate mistakes is to apply for your DBS check online using a service like ours. The online application form has built-in checks which look for empty boxes and common mistakes, highlighting them for you to rectify before submitting the form to the DBS.
To find out more about DBS checks, including how to reduce mistakes, get in touch here.