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.
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Types of disclosure
The types of criminal record disclosure you can get, including what they're for and how to apply.
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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.
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Standard disclosure
Information about the purpose of and application process for standard disclosure checks.
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Enhanced disclosure
Information on enhanced disclosure criminal record checks, including the application process, costs and how long it takes.
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Protecting Vulnerable Groups (PVG) scheme
Information about what the PVG scheme is and what it's for, including how it helps protect children and protected adults.
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Apply for PVG
How to apply to join the PVG scheme, including costs and how long it takes to get your PVG certificate.
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Apply for disclosures by email
For some types of disclosure you’ll need to complete a digital form and send it to Disclosure Scotland.
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Help with the basic disclosure online application
Help information to use if applying for a basic disclosure online.
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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.
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Disclosure (Scotland) Act 2020
A guide to help you understand how the new Disclosure (Scotland) Act 2020 will work.
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Refunds for disclosures
Details of Disclosure Scotland's refund policy, including how to ask for a refund.
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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.
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Get free PVG disclosure checks for volunteers
How volunteers can join the PVG scheme for free
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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.
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Get a paper PVG form or guidance documents
Form to request paper copies of PVG application and other guidance documents from Disclosure Scotland.
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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.
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Job scams and disclosure checks
Check how to spot a job scam, things you can do to avoid them and how to report one.
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About Disclosure Scotland
Information on what Disclosure Scotland does and how it's managed.
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Find an umbrella body
Information about umbrella companies who offer disclosure processing services to employers. Includes contact details, costs, business sector and location covered.
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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.
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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.
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If something's wrong with your disclosure certificate
Find out what to do if there's a problem with your disclosure certificate.
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Making 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.
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Get a paper disclosure application form
Form to request a paper application for basic, standard or enhanced disclosure from Disclosure Scotland.
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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.
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If you do not receive your disclosure certificate
What to do if you do not receive your disclosure certificate after you've applied.
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Information for transgender and non-binary disclosure applicants
How the disclosure application process works for transgender and non-binary people
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Disclosure Scotland's privacy statement
Disclosure Scotland's privacy statement
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Ask for your personal data
You can ask for a copy of your personal data by making a Subject Access Request (SAR) under the UK General Data Protection Regulation.
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Disclosure Scotland's legal frameworks
Information on the laws which govern how disclosure and PVG applications are made.
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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.
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Criminal record checks for the Homes for Ukraine scheme
Apply for an enhanced disclosure so you can host displaced Ukrainians in your home. Details of the application process, who needs to apply, and how to apply
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Help finding a job with a conviction
Information about finding a job when you have a conviction or are employing someone who has a conviction.
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Disclosure Scotland’s privacy notice for the Scottish COVID-19 Inquiry
Disclosure Scotland’s privacy notice for the Scottish COVID-19 Inquiry
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Disclosure Scotland's Code of Practice
Code of Practice for organisations who have registered with Disclosure Scotland.
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