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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, including how it helps protect children and protected adults.

  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. Help with the basic disclosure online application

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

  9. 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.

  10. Disclosure (Scotland) Act 2020

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

  11. Refunds for disclosures

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

  12. 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.

  13. Get free PVG disclosure checks for volunteers

    How volunteers can join the PVG scheme for free

  14. 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.

  15. Get a paper PVG form or guidance documents

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

  16. 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.

  17. Job scams and disclosure checks

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

  18. About Disclosure Scotland

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

  19. Find an umbrella body

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

  20. 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.

  21. 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.

  22. If something's wrong with your disclosure certificate

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

  23. 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.

  24. Get a paper disclosure application form

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

  25. 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.

  26. If you do not receive your disclosure certificate

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

  27. Information for transgender and non-binary disclosure applicants

    How the disclosure application process works for transgender and non-binary people

  28. Disclosure Scotland's privacy statement

    Disclosure Scotland's privacy statement

  29. 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.

  30. Disclosure Scotland's legal frameworks

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

  31. 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.

  32. 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

  33. 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.

  34. Disclosure Scotland’s privacy notice for the Scottish COVID-19 Inquiry

    Disclosure Scotland’s privacy notice for the Scottish COVID-19 Inquiry

  35. Disclosure Scotland's Code of Practice

    Code of Practice for organisations who have registered with Disclosure Scotland.

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