Job Discussion Forums

ironopolis · Joined: 01 Apr 2004 Posts: 379

Is there anyone out there from the UK who can advise the best way to obtain one of these? A couple of jobs I'm looking at include this as one of the required documents to be submitted with applications.

According to the UK Criminal Records Bureau, you cannot apply as an individual for a CRB check and that only registered organisations can apply for the information. I've done some searching on here but most of what I've found relates to the US and Canada.

I also came across someone who mentioned going to your local police station in the UK and asking for some other document, although as I live in Japan, that's a bit difficult.

Any useful input appreciated.

CJF · Joined: 13 Mar 2007 Posts: 28 Location: Wuxi

These people, The UK Citizens Advice Bureau will tell you how to go about it.

www.adviceguide.org.uk/ or Google Citizens Advice UK

I warn you there is a fee to pay to the CRB to get the paperwork but the Citizens Advice Bureau will provide the info. free on how to get the check done.

It may be best not to say you are living abroad but say you are unable to get to a branch in person at present.

Stephen Jones · Joined: 21 Feb 2003 Posts: 4124

Only registered organizations can apply for a CRB. The best you can ask for is a Subject Access Report under the Data Protection Act. To do that you need to contact the Constabulary of the area you last lived in in the UK, download the form, fill it in and mail it with a ten pound check.

There is a discussion of this on
http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=99451

Who is asking for the check?

SueH · Joined: 01 Feb 2003 Posts: 1022 Location: Northern Italy

I've worked at FE colleges in the past, and they paid for the applications that were submitted under their remit.

Possibly some language schools might get you to pay for your own CRB. If they do, remember it is tax-deductible.

ironopolis · Joined: 01 Apr 2004 Posts: 379

Thanks for the replies, especially to stephen jones, who has confirmed what I had heard second hand.

I had just tried e-mailing the CRB who were actually very helpful and replied very promptly advising me to apply to my local police force "or the Metropolitan Police if you are living overseas". However, the Met website says you can't apply to them if you've never lived in their area - I haven't.

I'll probably be ok though, as the police force where I used to live do indicate that they can deal with applicants living overseas. Seems it's likely to take quite a while though.