Overview

A basic disclosure is a criminal record check. You get a certificate showing any 'unspent' criminal convictions you may have. Unspent means you need to declare them. You can use this certificate to show to prospective employers or other people that need to know this information.

Under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974, some criminal convictions can be treated as 'spent' – meaning they're not relevant to basic disclosure – after a certain length of time. This is because a basic disclosure only shows any unspent convictions you may have.

Applications for basic disclosure will be processed according to the Scottish rules under the Rehabilitation periods for particular sentences section of the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974.

You can apply online for a basic disclosure yourself for any reason, for example:

a job application
voluntary work
an airport security pass

Coronavirus (COVID-19) priority workers

You do not have to pay for disclosures if you are a coronavirus response worker.

To qualify for a free disclosure, a coronavirus response worker must meet all 3 criteria.

You must only need a disclosure because of your coronavirus work.
Your role must only exist in response to coronavirus.
You must be working in a qualifying sector.

If the organisation needs someone in that role anyway for work not normally about coronavirus, you will still need to pay.

If you do not meet all 3 criteria:

we will not process the application and will return it
you will have to resubmit and pay for a routine disclosure

The qualifying sectors are:

healthcare (including dental care)
pharmaceutical
childcare
social work
social care
prisons, law and order, and justice
education (early years, primary and secondary)
emergency services
critical national infrastructure
energy and water supply
defence
local and central government public services
environmental protection
animal health and welfare
funeral services
medicines and pharmaceutical supply
food supply and food processing
chemical supply
telecommunications
public transport
postal and delivery services
financial services
food retail

You can email COVID19@disclosurescotland.gov.scot to check your role is for a coronavirus response worker.

Apply for yourself

Most people apply online for a basic disclosure for themselves.

Organisations applying for workers

Organisations can download application forms to return by email for:

Information displayed on the paper certificate

Your basic disclosure certificate will show:

the date it was issued
your name
your address
your date of birth
any unspent convictions

You should enter your name on the form exactly as you want it to appear on the certificate, including any middle names. Disclosure Scotland can't change this later as part of the application.

Basic disclosure time period

Your basic disclosure shows your record of unspent convictions at a point in time (the date your certificate was issued), so there is no set time that it lasts for. If you already have one and apply for a new role, it is up to the new person or organisation whether they'll accept your existing basic disclosure certificate or ask you to get a new one.

Cost

You do not have to pay for disclosures about coronavirus response workers. This will remain in place until midnight on Friday 25 December 2020. The Scottish Parliament is considering a proposal to extend this exemption until 25 March 2021. We'll update this page once a decision has been made.

For all other workers, the cost of a basic disclosure is £25. You'll need to pay when you apply using a credit or debit card.

How long does it take to get my certificate?

You're likely to receive your basic disclosure certificate within 14 calendar days, although it might take longer if there are any mistakes or if Disclosure Scotland need to contact you for more information.

You can track the progress of your online application. You will need the reference number given after you've applied.

Apply for basic disclosure