Criminal Record Check - FAQ

Why do I need a CRB check?

You may be asked to apply for CRB check when you work as a paid employee or volunteer and you will be in constant contact with children or vulnerable adults. You also might need CRB check if you are preparing your documents for immigration to another country.

What the Disclosure will show?

Basic Disclosure

will show only current unspent criminal convictions held on the Police National Computer. They will generally not include motoring offences other than causing death by dangerous driving or driving with excess alcohol, unless the motoring offence is committed in conjunction with other more serious criminal offences. Police Cautions, Reprimands and Warnings become spent immediately so will not be included

Standard Disclosure

will show both unspent and spent convictions, which will include any Police Cautions, Reprimands and Warnings.

Enhanced Disclosure

will show uspent and spent convictions and will also give access to the ISA barred lists for working with children and/or vulnerable adults. They will additionally ask the local police (where the applicant has lived in the last 5 years) if they have any intelligence that they feel is relevant to the subject taking the specified role and which they are willing to disclose. Such information could be associations with known offenders, pending prosecutions, failed prosecutions or current investigations.

How long does it take to receive CRB check?

From the time the application has been received we aim to process 90% of standard checks in 14 days and 90% of Enhanced checks in 4 weeks.

How long Criminal Check is valid for?

If you stay at the job that required you to take the CRB check, the check is valid for up to three years. After this the employer is recommended to run the check again. If you change your job within these three years the employer may require you to get a new one anyway.

How much does a CRB check cost?

There are three different checks available: Basic, Standard, Enhanced. Please check our website.

Volunteers are charged the lower price of 29 Pounds per criminal check.

What is the CRB’s definition of a “Volunteer”?

A volunteer is person who is engaged in any activity which involves spending time, unpaid (except for travelling and other approved out-of-pocket expenses), doing something which aims to benefit someone (individuals or groups) other than or in addition to close relatives’.

Can individuals get CRB checks?

Individuals can apply for a Criminal Check only through registered body like Global Choices. Your employer can apply for a check through a registered body, but you need to agree for your information to be disclosed. Individuals applying without a specific employer requesting the Check to be carried out are only eligible receive a Basic level check.

Who will see my personal information?

Your personal information will only be disclosed to the people whose job requires them to; this includes the CRB staff who perform the various checks and also the registered body that you may have gone through to apply for the Disclosure. All members who have access to your personal information have been carefully checked by government security.

What professions qualify for CRB checks?

Education and training, Legal and law enforcement, Financial services, Medical and health services, Public and Welfare services, Sport and recreation. Individuals of other professions can also apply for CRB checks with no restrictions.

Is there something we have missed?

If there are anymore questions that have not been addressed, please let us know.