Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) Document
Notarisation and Apostille of DBS Certificates for Overseas Use
For international travel or employment, an apostille on your DBS certificate may be necessary to provide formal evidence of your criminal record. At Wharf Notaries, our skilled team ensures efficient and reliable notarisation and authentication of DBS certificates, meeting all necessary international requirements seamlessly.
What is a DBS Certificate?
In the UK, the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) conducts criminal record checks to verify whether an individual is fit to work in roles involving vulnerable groups, such as teaching, healthcare, childcare, and social work. The DBS issues certificates to certify suitability for such positions.
Types of DBS Checks
There are four types of DBS checks available, depending on the job requirements:
- Basic DBS Check
- Standard DBS Check
- Enhanced DBS Check
- Enhanced DBS Check with List Check
When Apostille Stamps are Required for DBS Certificates
To prove you have no criminal record, a DBS certificate with an apostille may be required for:
- Employment abroad
- Visa applications
- Other legal purposes
Before obtaining an apostille, a DBS certificate must be notarised by a notary public. This notarised DBS certificate is then submitted to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) for an apostille certificate, confirming to foreign authorities that the DBS document is legitimate.
In 1961, the Hague Apostille Convention introduced the apostille stamp, which has been accepted by over 120 member countries as a recognised method for document legalisation. For non-Hague Convention member countries, the notarised DBS certificate must be apostilled first, then further legalised by the relevant country’s embassy.
Information Required for Apostille Applications on DBS Certificates
A DBS certificate is issued as a physical document without a signature from the issuing authority, so notarisation is required before an apostille. For our apostille services, please provide:
- The original DBS certificate
- A notarised copy of the DBS certificate
If the original DBS certificate you submit has not been notarised, our team will complete the notarisation for you. For those with pre-notarised DBS certificates, we’ll handle the FCDO submission directly.
Steps to Notarise and Apostille a DBS Certificate
Submit your DBS certificate to the FCDO’s Legalisation Office, located in London (Premium Service) or Milton Keynes (Standard Service). We provide both a premium, same-day apostille service for urgent needs and a standard service within 3-5 working days.
Wharf Notaries offers a reliable, step-by-step service:
- Contact Us: Complete our online Client Registration Form, and we’ll guide you through the identification and verification process.
- Submit Your Document: Schedule an appointment to drop off the DBS certificate at our office or post it to our location.
- Legalisation Processing: We will notarise and/or apostille your document at the FCDO and manage any required consular legalisation.
- Document Return: We’ll scan the completed apostille document and return it to you or send it to a third party upon request.
If you require notarisation, apostille, or consular legalisation for your DBS certificate, Wharf Notaries is here to facilitate a seamless process from start to finish.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) Document
What is a DBS Certificate?
A DBS (Disclosure and Barring Service) Certificate is a document issued by the Disclosure and Barring Service in the UK. It checks an individual’s criminal record to help employers assess suitability for working with vulnerable groups, such as in healthcare, education, and childcare.
Why might I need an apostille on my DBS Certificate?
You may need an apostille on your DBS certificate if you are traveling or working abroad and need to provide formal evidence of your criminal record status. Many international employers and authorities require this as part of the visa or employment application process.
What are the types of DBS checks available?
There are four types of DBS checks: Basic, Standard, Enhanced, and Enhanced with list check. The level required depends on the type of job and the level of access to vulnerable individuals.
How do I get my DBS Certificate notarised and apostilled?
To get your DBS certificate notarised, you’ll need to provide the original document. We’ll notarise it and then submit it to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) for an apostille certificate. Our team can assist you through each step to ensure compliance with international standards.
How long does the apostille process take?
We offer both standard and premium services for apostille processing. The standard service typically takes 3-5 working days, while the premium service provides same-day or next-day apostille processing, depending on when the document is received.
What documents do I need to provide for the notarisation and apostille of my DBS Certificate?
You’ll need to provide the original DBS certificate, either already notarised or ready for our notaries to notarise. If you send an unnotarised certificate, our notaries can perform the notarisation before submitting it for the apostille.
Do I need to notarise my DBS Certificate before applying for an apostille?
Yes, a DBS certificate needs to be notarised by a notary public before it can be apostilled, as the document itself does not include a signature from an official authority.