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Coronavirus (COVID-19): what you need to know

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Standard disclosure

Last updated
24 December 2020

A standard disclosure is used to help employers make sure their employees are suitable for certain types of work.

It can apply to people who:

  • administer the law, such as solicitors or court workers
  • use firearms and explosives licences
  • work as accountants
  • work as actuaries
Standard disclosure is one type of higher level disclosure. Different jobs use other types of disclosure.

Information included in a standard disclosure

A standard disclosure shows criminal history information from UK records, including:

The certificate will show if there are no convictions to disclose.

Under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974, some criminal convictions can be treated as 'spent' – meaning they're not relevant to some types of disclosure – after a certain length of time. What convictions are included depends on the type of disclosure you need.

Applying for standard disclosure

If you need a standard disclosure, you'll apply through your employer or another registered body on their behalf. They'll give you either a paper or digital form to complete which they then send back to Disclosure Scotland.

You have to be a registered body to apply for standard disclosure. Alternatively, you can use an umbrella body to make your disclosure applications for you.

Organisations can download forms to return by email for:

Organisations can ask for paper forms to return by post.

Once the required checks have been made, both you and the registered body who applied for you, will be sent a copy of the standard disclosure certificate.

Cost of standard disclosure

A standard disclosure costs £25. This is paid as part of the application process using one of the payment methods listed in the application form.

Disclosures for coronavirus response workers are free until midnight on Thursday 25 March 2021.

You will not get a refund unless Disclosure Scotland has made an error or you have paid for a disclosure for a coronavirus response worker.

How long does it take?

90% of disclosure applications are completed within 14 days (not including postage time). You should receive your certificate within this time if there are no mistakes or requests for further information.

Standard disclosure certificate number

If you already have a standard disclosure but cannot find your certificate and need to know your number you can contact us to ask for this. Your certificate needs to be current.

Email: response@disclosurescotland.gov.scot

Phone: 0300 020 0040
Monday to Friday 9am to 1pm
Find out about call charges

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