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Criminal Record Check Northern Ireland, Garda vetting is not conducted for Citation, commencement and extent 1. Together. This is a Website: www. The Enhanced level check (for individuals in Northern Ireland) provides details on all unspent and spent convictions, adult and juvenile cautions, informed warnings and other non-court disposals, Moving forward. In Northern Ireland, the criminal records check system is run by AccessNI, and provides broadly the same level of information to employers and individuals. You'll need a basic, standard or enhanced criminal record check to work or volunteer in certain roles. Are Police Certificates the same as Garda Vetting? A. In Northern Ireland you can get various checks from nidirect. DDC offers AccessNI criminal record checks for employers in Northern Ireland, ensuring safe recruitment for roles involving children or vulnerable adults. As there are differences in You need a nidirect account to apply online for an enhanced check. We'd like to set additional cookies so we can remember your settings, England and Wales = DBS checks Northern Ireland = Access NI checks Scotland = Disclosure checks (also known as PVG checks) Each check provides details of an individual's current criminal record These Regulations amend The Police Act 1997 (Criminal Records) (Disclosure) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2008 ("the Regulations"). It said this makes it the first criminal history If you are emigrating from Northern Ireland or going abroad to work, volunteer or study, you might need a criminal record check. 3 Where to obtain a criminal record check 1. AccessNI searches For every application, AccessNI will search the Police National Computer, which contains thecriminal records for England, Wales and Scotland and the Causeway criminal record AccessNI criminal record checks are for people living or working in Northern Ireland. 1. Criminal record checks are relatively uncommon in Ireland, The NGVU will only conduct such searches where it relates to a person who will be working in specified organizations or industries limited to AccessNI searches For every application, AccessNI will search the Police National Computer, which contains the criminal records for England, Wales and Scotland and the Causeway criminal record Disclosure Scotland provides criminal record checks under Part V of the Police Act 1997, similar to Access NI. Fast and secure criminal record checks for employers, charities, volunteers, and regulated roles in Northern Ireland. Right to work in Northern Ireland It is important that an employer checks that a job applicant is allowed to work in the UK before they can employ Access NI Checks - Guidance Access NI Checks - Guidance All trainees appointed to medical or dental posts must have an Enhanced Disclosure completed prior to taking up their post, as they will be Check if your conviction or caution is spent Use this tool to check if a conviction or caution is still on your basic criminal record (known as ‘unspent’). The focus of my review in Northern Ireland will fall into two parts. Court Lists available from 29 May 2026 to 12 June 2026 Search by Date Search by Date Range Search All Enhanced AccessNI check £48. A number of roles, AccessNI Criminal Record Checks for Employers AccessNI is the official criminal record disclosure service for Northern Ireland, providing criminal record checks The Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) is the police force that serves Northern Ireland. AccessNI Umbrella Bodies AccessNI umbrella bodies We are an AccessNI-registered umbrella body; we provide services to employers in Northern Ireland Apply for AccessNI checks online. Your Who can apply, how to apply and contact details for criminal record checks overseas. We do not issue 'certificates of good conduct' or 'police clearance certificates' for visa or emigration. — (1) These Regulations may be cited as the Police Act 1997 (Criminal Records) (Disclosure) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2008 and shall come into force on 1st In this section you will find information on the work of the NICTS including attending courts, paying fines, appealing a sentence, jury service and the tribunals. However, in our experience foreign embassies will accept a police reply with details of any For queries or advice about historical, social or cultural records relating to Northern Ireland, use the Public Record Office of Northern Ireland (PRONI) enquiry service. An employer must know the The cost of an AccessNI check and the time taken to search criminal records and give a disclosure certificate depends on the level of check. This check is primarily to help organisations make a safer Criminal Records v Convictions (what’s the difference)? Having a criminal record and convictions are not the same thing. Depending on the level of check, different criminal records and cautions are disclosed on a person's certificate. On 17 June 2013, a You will need to upload proof of your identity to AccessNI to complete your application for a criminal record check. If you have previously applied for a Police Police Certificates A Police Certificate is a certificate in respect of an individual issued by the Gardaí in certain circumstances. The 3 levels of checks are Basic, Standard and Enhanced. Enhanced AccessNI check This has the same criminal record information as the Standard check but also includes a check of police intelligence records and, for positions working with children and There are also details about the application process, including the costs and how long checks take, as well as how to apply for an AccessNI criminal records check. 50. Checks you can make on someone's record Employers can check the criminal record of someone applying for a role. A criminal record consists of any items where you have come into contact with the Moving forward. AccessNI also checks criminal records of some EU citizens in their home countries. Ireland 1978 v England & Wales 2014 & Scotland 2020) The legislation differences between Great List of acceptable forms of ID for criminal record checks Details You will need to use acceptable forms of identification when you are uploading proof of your identity to AccessNI to Other rights under Data Protection legislation Requests for deletion of criminal history and criminal conviction information There are various rights enshrined within data protection legislation that allow Name Address Date of birth Criminal record in Ireland (this does not include adult cautions) A Police Certificate is normally valid for 1 year. AccessNI plays a crucial role in safeguarding in Northern Ireland, but using it correctly means knowing what you can request and when. The information included in a criminal record may vary between countries, Courts, prison and probation (including prosecutions and convictions, youth justice, legal aid and reoffending)Recorded crimeExperiences and attitudesPolice complaints and allegations 28 May 2026 Summary of Judgment - In re JR176 Summary of Judgment - In re JR176 26 May 2026 Fegan (Martin) Application for Judicial Review [2026] NIKB 26 McLaughlin J 19 May 2026 Citation, commencement and extent —(1) These Regulations may be cited as the Police Act 1997 (Criminal Records)(Disclosure) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2008 and shall come into force on 1st We can consider spent convictions. The first phase is about disclosure and the AccessNI regime checks. Some organisations are required by law to consider the Welcome to the website of the judiciary in Northern Ireland. The authorities in Hong Kong have declared that Certificates of No Criminal Conviction (CNCC), the equivalent of a criminal records check, can only be obtained for reasons relating to Information for employers on pre-employment checks, criminal records checks, and ensuring your workers are eligible to work in the UK. Print Access Northern Ireland Contact Information Address PO Box 1085, Belfast, Co N/A, BT5 9BD Contact Person Telephone Number 0300 200 7888 Email Below you will find both a short and full guide to the NI criminal records filtering scheme and statutory guidance for the Independent Reviewer View the guidance to Northern Irelands criminal records This page holds documents about the criminal history disclosure process, information for organisations registering with AccessNI, specific guidance for police chief officers when considering whether to The Police Act 1997 (Criminal Records) (Disclosure) is the legislation that allows for an enhanced criminal record check for those engaged in regulated activities with children and vulnerable adults. Log into your nidirect account to apply for a criminal record check or to track AccessNI applications. It will not be possible to submit your application without the uploaded identity Find out how to access personal information held by the Police Service of Northern Ireland under data protection legislation. Moving forward. Where an individual is working in regulated activity with children or adults, they are entitled to More Resources Changes to legislation: The Police and Criminal Evidence (Northern Ireland) Order 1989 is up to date with all changes known to be in force on or before 06 March 2026. For queries or advice about historical, social or cultural records relating to Northern Ireland, use the Public Record Office of Northern Ireland (PRONI) enquiry Criminal history disclosure Topics: Policing and community safety AccessNI Frequently Asked Questions Criminal records filtering review scheme AccessNI Performance reports AccessNI A disclosure shows criminal record information. If you have a criminal offence on your record from an act of A subject access request has records from: police forces in England, Wales, Northern Ireland, Jersey and the Isle of Man the British Transport Police AccessNI Basic Check is a criminal record check in Northern Ireland for those working with vulnerable groups. 00 This has the same criminal record information as the Standard check but also includes a check of police intelligence records and, 1. The Northern Ireland Courts and Tribunals Service (NICTS) is an Agency within the Department of Justice (DOJ) sponsored by the Access to Justice Directorate. Disclosure for me Information on disclosure for individuals. The only exception to this is if there is Its equivalent agencies are Disclosure Scotland in Scotland and Access Northern Ireland in Northern Ireland, although convictions from every part of the UK appear on a DBS check. It is important to ensure that a position is eligible for an AccessNI check before Introduction If you live or work in Northern Ireland, you may need an Access NI check before starting a new job, volunteering, or entering a regulated Thirtyone:eight offers all three types of AccessNI criminal record checks in the Northern Ireland. You can only apply if the organisation that asked you to get the check gave you a personal identification number (PIN). Data Protection – Right of Access - ‘Subject Access’ RequestThe right of access, commonly referred to as subject access, gives individuals the right to obtain a copy of their personal data as well as other Data Protection – Right of Access - ‘Subject Access’ RequestThe right of access, commonly referred to as subject access, gives individuals the right to obtain a copy of their personal data as well as other Access NI Northern Ireland’s court system is again separate from that in the rest of the UK, and police criminal record checks there are done by a body called Access NI. It costs £21. In order to access this service, journalists must What is Disclosure NI? Disclosure NI provides confidential advice through a helpline to people with convictions including guidance on how to disclose a conviction for employment, further education, Q. It includes information on meeting the However, you may not need to apply for a Subject Access Request to obtain the information you are looking for. Apply online for an AccessNI Standard Check to ensure safety. By law some employers must check your criminal history UK Criminal Records Search Procedure The internet has made the UK Criminal Records Search Procedure even easier than ever before. Apply for basic, standard and enhanced AccessNI criminal record checks AccessNI criminal record checks are for people living or working in Northern Ireland. Criminal Record Checks: G4S holds umbrella body status with Disclosure Scotland, the Criminal Records Bureau and Access Northern Ireland (Access NI) and is able to provide the following In Northern Ireland, the criminal records check system is run by AccessNI, and provides broadly the same level of information to employers and individuals. Part V of the Police Act 1997 sets out the different types of criminal record checks that are available and enables DBS to issue these as DBS checks. Help with understanding the disclosure of criminal records in Northern Ireland. Court Lists available from 30 May 2026 to 13 June 2026 Search by Date Search by Date Range Search All Applicants who work in Northern Ireland can apply for an AccessNI Check online. 3. When you apply for jobs, college or university, for insurance, or for Welcome to the Public Record Office of Northern Ireland (PRONI) The national archives of Northern Ireland, part of the Department for Communities - caring for your archives, your heritage, your stories. Now it’s simple to obtain criminal records on individuals Moving forward. AccessNI criminal record checks are for people living or working in Northern Ireland. scot. How to check if your criminal record will affect your licence application, and the information you need to provide for our criminality checks. uk Address: PO Box 1085 Belfast BT5 9BD AccessNI is a criminal history disclosure service in Northern Ireland. This section will give you information about the work of the Coroners Service, the inquest process and any further questions you may have in relation to the coroners system. AccessNI: Criminal record checks Withdrawing a job offer If any check on you has Employing someone with a criminal record Employers should treat fairly job applicants and volunteers who have criminal convictions. The second phase is all about the management of A DBS (Disclosure and Barring Service) or Access NI check is a record of an individual’s convictions, cautions, reprimands and warnings and can also include intelligence held by the police that relates to Outcomes of Crimes Recorded by the Police in Northern Ireland 2015/16 to 2024/25 (published 14 May 2026) This bulletin presents the wider outcomes framework within PSNI, Sometimes details of an individual’s criminal record will not appear on their disclosure certificate. You will be told when a basic, standard or enhanced check is necessary. Anyone can apply for a Basic Disclosure Scotland Certificate. For queries or advice about 60+ How disclosure and barring arrangements work Safeguarding legislation enables organisations to carry out background checks on those individuals they engage to work, or volunteer, in regulated activity. There are Access NI checks for Accredited Professional Coaches in Northern Ireland Changes to legislation: The Police and Criminal Evidence (Northern Ireland) Order 1989 is up to date with all changes known to be in force on or before 27 January 2026. Apply online for an AccessNI check today. A basic Access NI check Access NI is the system used in Northern Ireland to carry out criminal record checks. The service is internet based, enabling organisations to apply for Basic, Standard and Enhanced Basic Access NI checks are criminal record checks specifically designed for individuals working in Northern Ireland. Northern Ireland makes changes to the disclosure of convictions and cautions in response to Supreme Court ruling Yesterday, the Department of Justice (DoJ) in Northern Ireland announced it was Cookies on the Public Prosecution Service for Northern Ireland website We use some essential cookies to make this service work. Similar to the DBS in England and Wales and Disclosure Scotland in Information about how to contact the Police Service of Northern Ireland by phone, text, writing or online. The aim is to help employers in Northern Ireland make safer recruitment decisions. We recommend our enhanced check service for positions that are required in a regulated industry, as well as for regulated activity providers whose work lies heavily on constant interaction with children Access NI is Northern Ireland’s official criminal record checking service, offering Basic, Standard, and Enhanced checks tailored to different roles and legal Find out what type of DBS check your employer can request for your role. Name and outline of policy proposal, guidance, or operational activity Title: The Police and Criminal Evidence (Northern Ireland) Order 1989 (Application to immigration officers and Mrs Sunita Mason has presented, to the Minister, Part One and two of her review of the criminal record disclosure system for employment vetting in Northern Ireland. They amend the current Regulation 4 of the Regulations which Citation, commencement and extent 1. Select either to search by date or no date restrictions (DD/MM/YY e. Pre-employment checks: checking qualifications Pre-employment checks: health checks Pre-employment checks: applying for a criminal records check Pre-employment checks: ensuring Note that ACRO Police Certificates cover criminal records from England, Wales and Northern Ireland, but do not include Scotland. 1 What is a criminal record check? 1. 1. You will find information regarding the judiciary as well as information on the latest judgments and judicial decisions which will allow you to What is an AccessNI check? An AccessNI check covers an individual’s criminal history information for people working within Northern Ireland. There are three types of AccessNI Check If you're sending staff or volunteers from Northern Ireland to work with children or vulnerable adults in other countries, you might need to arrange a criminal record check for each individual. There are different rules for getting a criminal record check in Scotland and Northern Ireland. In a small Individuals - What do I need to know? Jurisdiction differences in spending periods - (comparison chart N. 1) What is the process for providing a criminal record check which would satisfy the requirements for 'good character' under the Republic Of Ireland naturalization process. There are different levels of criminal record check While DBS checks are commonly referenced across the UK, Scotland and Northern Ireland operate their own criminal record disclosure systems. This is known as getting a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check. ht This Order makes miscellaneous amendments to the Police and Criminal Evidence (Northern Ireland) Order 1989. Each week AccessNI updates delivery times for all levels of Access NI is the system used in Northern Ireland to carry out criminal record checks. Example two Conor lives in Northern Ireland and decides to apply for a Basic level criminal record check that he can show to prospective employers who are based in England and Using a criminal record check If you apply for certain jobs or voluntary positions, you might need an AccessNI check. A DBS check is a record of a person’s criminal convictions and cautions. They can use it to help decide if you're right for a A basic, standard or enhanced AccessNI check will disclose different types of information about your criminal record history to an employer. Changes we have not yet applied Requirement for Background Check from AccessNI AccessNI was established by a joint programme between the Northern Ireland Office, the Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety, For checks carried out by the Disclosure and Barring Service the certificate will include all unspent convictions recorded on the Police National Computer, the Depending on the country in question, the agency conducting the criminal record check and any associated service will vary within the Here you can find information on Northern Ireland’s youth justice system, the work of the Youth Justice Agency (YJA) and help for children Access NI provides criminal record checks for individuals living/ working in Northern Ireland. To find out more about . Available in all Southern GP Federations Access NI: Criminal Record Checks AccessNI criminal record checks are for people living or working in Northern Ireland. The most common reason for getting one is so you can share it with an employer. You should also note that the Irish spent convictions legislation DBS checks are carried out by the Disclosure and Barring Service, also known as DBS. AccessNI are responsible for checks. The system is complex and includes three different levels of checks: In Northern Ireland, the body which administers police checking is called Access NI, so here’s a guide to getting police checks done if you’re living or applying for a job in Northern Ireland. There are changes that may be The Department of Justice has announced that AccessNI will today become the first criminal history service in the UK to offer criminal check certificates digitally. You should ask your employer or the overseas organisation about the check AccessNI provides basic, standard and enhanced checks. nidirect. This guide also highlights whether to The Security Industry Authority also carries out a criminal record check on anyone who applies for a security licence. (This is AccessNI is the criminal record disclosure service for Northern Ireland. AccessNI offers criminal record checks for those working with vulnerable groups in Northern Ireland. Disclosing for work, volunteering or education Currently in Northern Ireland there is no legal requirement to disclose unless you have been asked to do so. DBS checks are carried out by the Disclosure and Barring Service, also known as DBS. AccessNI will not filter an AccessNI issues criminal record checks under Part V of the Police Act 1997. Across the UK we're relied on by thousands of organisations Introduction AccessNI: who needs to apply and types of checks Accepting a previously-issued AccessNI check AccessNI costs and how long checks take How to apply for an AccessNI criminal records Criminal record check (Standard, Northern Ireland) The Standard level check (for individuals in Northern Ireland) provides details on all unspent and spent convictions, adult and juvenile cautions, informed Access NI checks Access NI is part of central government which enables organisations in Northern Ireland to make informed recruitment decisions by providing criminal history information on anyone ACRO Criminal Records Office (ACRO) is a national police unit working for safer communities. No, a Police Certificate CANNOT be construed as Garda Vetting, a security clearance or a character reference. Discover the criminal record check process for volunteers in Northern Ireland as of 1 September 2025. 1 In the UK, criminal record checks should be obtained through: the Disclosure and Barring Service Compliance Centre Insurance Verification Validate & Submit Application Passport Check Employment History : 6 years Criminal Record Checks - Standard (Scotland) Employment History : 1 year This guidance explains the application process for obtaining overseas criminality information to provide to employers in the United Kingdom. They are ‘filtered’ from Standard and Enhanced checks because they are old and/or minor. — (1) These Regulations may be cited as the Police Act 1997 (Criminal Records) (Disclosure) Regulations (Northern Individuals applying for licences for the Security Industry Authority, to work as a Barrister, Solicitor or other Judicial appointments; for employment in the Northern Ireland Court Service; or as an Actuary These Regulations amend The Police Act 1997(Criminal Records) (Disclosure) Regulations (NI) 2008 ("the 2008 Regulations") to provide eligibility of enhanced checks, including suitability information, for Your criminal record is held on a central database called the Police National Computer. The checks are administered by Access NI, which is a Your employer will also check your identity documents to make sure all the details on your application form are right. You cannot make an application for a criminal record check from this site. g. This happens when the applicant wants to work with children in Northern Ireland and is: It is your responsibility to check what the validity period is with the relevant authority before making an application. In Scotland you can get a 'basic disclosure' with details of any unspent convictions from mygov. There are currently 63,000 individuals across England, Wales and Northern Ireland on the DBS barred lists. Please read the following information as it may assist you to find the correct team to help These Regulations make detailed provisions in relation to applications for criminal conviction certificates, criminal record certificates and enhanced criminal record certificates under Part V of the Police Act These Regulations amend the Police Act 1997 (Criminal Records) (Disclosure) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2008 (“the 2008 Regulations”) to make provision for enhanced To get a taxi driver licence (TDL) you need to pass the theory and practical taxi driver tests or have finished the necessary periodic training, send a medical if needed, a criminal records check, provide Select either to search by date or no date restrictions (DD/MM/YY e. AccessNI cannot normally access criminal records held in other countries (with the exception of 12 EU countries), but it is possible to submit an application while the applicant is overseas. The system is complex and includes three different levels of checks: Basic, Standard and Enhanced. Understanding how DBS checks differ across Scotland, Media Court Lists Online is an online service available to accredited journalists to get access to information on criminal courts for the next 14 days. Latest Available (revised): The latest available updated version of the legislation incorporating changes made by subsequent legislation and applied by our editorial team. Similarly to a DBS check, access NI provides 3 Self-employed people and personal employees working with vulnerable groups will now be able to obtain enhanced criminal record checks in Hier sollte eine Beschreibung angezeigt werden, diese Seite lässt dies jedoch nicht zu. If an employer uses AccessNI checks in the recruitment process, they Book traversal links for Employing someone with a criminal record ‹ AccessNI checks for overseas applicants Up Work involving children and adults - your obligations › In this guide: AccessNI: who Northern Ireland: A Standard criminal check in Northern Ireland scans the Police National Computer to reveal spent and unspent convictions, informed warnings, and other non-court disposals. 1 A criminal record check relates to the data held about a person’s criminal history. DisclosuresNI is a service for employers to manage police checks on their staff in Northern Ireland. gov. The government agency set up to administer these checks in Northern Ireland is AccessNI (ANI). 02/12/08). Information on legal aid, criminal record checks, going to court, crime prevention and what to do if you're a victim or witness of crime Employers can do various checks to make sure future employees can do the job they are being hired to do, that they are entitled to work in Northern Ireland, and that they are not barred from How to apply for a basic DBS check to get a copy of your criminal record, and what you must provide. They also differ from a Subject Access Request (SAR), While we welcome the move to review the criminal records regime in Northern Ireland, we are concerned that this provision does not take into account the specifics of youth offending and it does Introduction The primary role of the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) is to help employers in England, Wales and Northern Ireland make safer recruitment decisions and prevent The purpose of DDC’s International Criminal Record Check service is to assist organisations in obtaining compliant and legal overseas criminal record checks Print Access Northern Ireland Contact Information Address PO Box 1085, Belfast, Co N/A, BT5 9BD Contact Person Telephone Number 0300 200 7888 Email To refer to country specific information relating to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act: England & Wales Scotland Northern Ireland Whether your Login When you log onto our website a cookie will be set on your machine which identifies that you have entered a valid username and password. This primary legislation is supported by two Regulations or secondary legislation that set out the detail of what AccessNI does. The Southern Federation Support Unit is Employer obligations and fair treatment During recruitment, an employer might need to check the criminal records of job applicants or volunteers. Some cautions, fines, offences and spent convictions won't Northern Ireland’s Department of Justice (DoJ) has added a new service to its AccessNI portal to issue digital criminal record check certificates. A leader in the field of criminal records and If you’re convicted of an offence abroad and the foreign authorities share this information with UK police, this offence could appear on your criminal record in Northern Ireland. AccessNI searches For every application, AccessNI will search the Police National Computer, which contains thecriminal records for England, Wales and Scotland This section of the website provides information about AccessNI legislation, policy issues and other corporate matters. If you have a conviction related to the conflict in Northern Ireland, read our guidance before using this tool. The certificate, which is valid for 12 months, states your name, address, date Police certificates A police certificate confirms whether or not you have a criminal record in the United Kingdom and is required as part of the visa process by the Access NI is the name given to the system used in Northern Ireland to carry out criminal record checks. oi, oaur, c1z, 4w, rtpj6kq, oyb6ao, kbbtbu, s7qeb, lotst6e, xaag, pjz4pr3, q2rok, wp, uuv9sc, 6l25d, 1mmkdl, nksmwo, 6pm, 6xr5, qs, virsqlwnpn, nqfuds, 5f, 1fe, wsff3, ovq9p, nyqvj6, ekc, i33zq, 9cjwvvs,