AccessNI
Issues criminal record checks in Northern Ireland. It is a branch of the Department of Justice.
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Get a basic criminal record check
Employers or landlords sometimes ask for a basic check. England and Wales use DBS, Scotland uses Disclosure Scotland and Northern Ireland uses AccessNI.
Official links
Show links for:
| Official source | Applies to |
|---|---|
| GOV.UK: basic DBS check www.gov.uk/request-copy-criminal-record | England, Wales |
| mygov.scot: Level 1 disclosure www.mygov.scot/apply-for-level-1-disclosure | Scotland |
| nidirect: apply for an AccessNI check www.nidirect.gov.uk/information-and-services/accessni-criminal-record-checks/apply-accessni-check | Northern Ireland |
Who handles it
Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS)
Issues criminal record checks (DBS checks) in England and Wales, often needed for jobs with children or vulnerable adults.
Disclosure Scotland
Issues criminal record checks in Scotland and runs the PVG scheme for people working with children or protected adults.
Step by step
- Apply to the body for the nation where the job is: DBS for England and Wales, Disclosure Scotland for Scotland, AccessNI for Northern Ireland.
- For a basic DBS check, prove your identity with GOV.UK One Login (you must be 16 or over).
- Give your addresses for the last 5 years and your ID details.
- Wait for the paper certificate to be posted to you. It only shows convictions that are not spent.
What you need
- Your addresses for the last 5 years, with dates.
- Your passport, driving licence and National Insurance number, if you have them.
Common mistakes
- Applying in the wrong nation: it depends on where the job is, not where you live.
- Expecting it to show everything: a basic check only shows convictions that are not spent.