When an employer is hiring an applicant, it is important that they are able to know their full, relevant criminal history. However, when the applicant has lived abroad, this can be tricky.
Does a DBS Check Show Overseas Convictions?
DBS checks do not show any criminal records that are held overseas. A DBS check will only show the applicant’s criminal history in the UK.
Having said that, the DBS have revealed that in a small number of cases, some overseas criminal records are actually held on the Police National Computer (PNC). In these very rare cases, overseas convictions could be included in a DBS check.
What Countries Does A DBS Check Cover?
DBS checks are for people living, or working, in England, Wales, the Channel Islands, and the Isle of Man.
However, DBS checks will also reveal applicants’ criminal background information from Scotland and Northern Ireland, if any exists.
How Can An Employer Check Overseas Convictions?
For an employer to see any overseas convictions for an individual, they would need to get a Criminal Record Check from the relevant country.
Should Employers Get Overseas Checks?
Yes! Remember, a DBS check will leave you with no idea what someone has done in another country. Whilst it does add extra costs, is it really worth the risk? Imagine if you were to hire someone who in another country once committed serious crimes. The impact they could have on your clients, staff, and reputation could be horrible!
Can Overseas Individuals Get A DBS Check?
Anyone living abroad can get a DBS check, but it is only worth doing if they have lived or worked in the UK! If they have never lived in the UK, getting a DBS check for them would be a waste of everyone’s time and money.
In these cases, you should just get a Criminal Record Check in the non-UK countries they have lived in.
Summary – Does a DBS Check Show Overseas Convictions?
No, a DBS check does not show any criminal records that are held overseas, just in the UK.
Employers wanting to know an individual’s overseas criminal history will have to do a Criminal Record Check from the relevant country.
Further Reading
If you found this interesting, you may also want to read about:
How Far Back Does A DBS Check Go?
Will A DBS Check Include Information About My Mental Health?
About The Author
John Schofield-Antoncich
John has processed more applications than days he has been alive, and has become the DBS expert. Got a question? He knows the answer!