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.

Types of disclosure

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

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.

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.

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

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

Refunds for disclosures

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

Get free PVG disclosure checks for volunteers

How volunteers can join the PVG scheme for free

Standard disclosure

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

Enhanced disclosure

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

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.

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.

Get a paper PVG form or guidance documents

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

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.

Find an umbrella body

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

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.

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.

Apply for PVG

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

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.

If something's wrong with your disclosure certificate

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

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.

Get a paper disclosure application form

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

Help with the basic disclosure online application

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

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.

If you don't receive your disclosure certificate

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

Information for transgender disclosure applicants

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

Update your PVG Scheme member details

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