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Disclosure and criminal record checks

Information for individuals and employers on applying for a criminal records check. Includes types of disclosure, when you might need it and how to apply to Disclosure Scotland.

  1. Types of disclosure

    The types of criminal record disclosure you can get, including what they're for and how to apply.

  2. Apply for basic disclosure

    Apply for basic disclosure online, including what it is and why you might need it. Details of the application process and requirements, costs and timescales.

  3. Standard disclosure

    Information about the purpose of and application process for standard disclosure checks.

  4. Enhanced disclosure

    Information on enhanced disclosure criminal record checks, including the application process, costs and how long it takes.

  5. Protecting Vulnerable Groups (PVG) scheme

    Information about what the PVG scheme is and what it's for. How it helps protect children and protected adults by helping employers to make safer recruitment decisions.

  6. Apply for PVG

    How to apply to join the PVG scheme, including costs and how long it takes to get your PVG certificate.

  7. Apply for disclosures by email

    For some types of disclosure you’ll need to complete a digital form and send it to Disclosure Scotland.

  8. Criminal record checks for coronavirus (COVID-19) response workers

    Disclosure Scotland will prioritise checks for the workers Scotland needs to deal with the coronavirus.

  9. Help with the basic disclosure online application

    Help information to use if applying for a basic disclosure online.

  10. Behaviour under the age of 12 and disclosure

    The Age of Criminal Responsibility (Scotland) Act says that a child under the age of 12 cannot be responsible for committing an offence.

  11. Disclosure (Scotland) Act 2020

    A guide to help you understand how the new Disclosure (Scotland) Act 2020 will work.

  12. Refunds for disclosures

    Details of Disclosure Scotland's refund policy, including how to ask for a refund.

  13. Update your PVG Scheme member details

    Information for PVG Scheme members and registered organisations on Disclosure Scotland's data cleanse work.

  14. Manage your PVG membership

    Managing your PVG record including updating your contact details, appealing a conviction shown on your certificate and how to leave the scheme.

  15. Get free PVG disclosure checks for volunteers

    How volunteers can join the PVG scheme for free

  16. PVG for employers

    Information on how employers can use the Protecting Vulnerable Groups scheme to see if employees are cleared to work with children or protected adults.

  17. Get a paper PVG form or guidance documents

    Form to request paper copies of PVG application and other guidance documents from Disclosure Scotland.

  18. PVG: lists of those unsuitable to do regulated work

    Disclosure Scotland's lists of people not allowed to work with children or protected adults, including how the process works and how to appeal a listing.

  19. Job scams and disclosure checks

    Check how to spot a job scam, things you can do to avoid them and how to report one.

  20. About Disclosure Scotland

    Information on what Disclosure Scotland does and how it's managed.

  21. Convictions and higher level disclosures

    Information about convictions shown on higher level disclosures, including the laws that govern them and how to appeal what's shown on a certificate.

  22. Find an umbrella body

    Information about umbrella companies who offer disclosure processing services to employers. Includes contact details, costs, business sector and location covered.

  23. Register your organisation with Disclosure Scotland

    How to register your organisation with Disclosure Scotland to access PVG Scheme, Standard and Enhanced disclosure information. How and why to register and responsibilities of registered bodies.

  24. Your duties after receiving someone's disclosure certificate

    If you receive someone's disclosure certificate you need to follow rules about handling the information it contains.

  25. If something's wrong with your disclosure certificate

    Find out what to do if there's a problem with your disclosure certificate.

  26. Make a referral to Disclosure Scotland

    If a person on the Protecting Vulnerable Groups scheme causes harm to a child or protected adult, their employer has to report it.

  27. Get a paper disclosure application form

    Form to request a paper application for basic, standard or enhanced disclosure from Disclosure Scotland.

  28. Get your basic disclosure certificate verified

    How to get your basic disclosure certificate verified to work abroad, apply for a visa or for another legal purpose.

  29. If you don't receive your disclosure certificate

    What to do if you don't receive your disclosure certificate after you've applied.

  30. Information for transgender disclosure applicants

    What information you need to provide and how the application process works for trans people applying for disclosure.

  31. Disclosure Scotland's privacy statement

    Disclosure Scotland's privacy statement

  32. Disclosure Scotland's legal frameworks

    Information on the laws which govern how disclosure and PVG applications are made.

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