Job Discussion Forums

ironopolis · Joined: 01 Apr 2004 Posts: 379

Never needed one of these in all the time I've been in Japan so not sure if anyone on here will know...but..is there anyone out there from the UK who can advise the best way to obtain a Criminal Record check?
A couple of jobs (outside Japan) 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.

Angelfish · Joined: 18 Jan 2006 Posts: 131

I'm not sure of the correct proceedure, but I'm pretty certain you can get it yourself. When I applied to be an air hostess, this was one of the things we would have been required to provide them with.

womblingfree · Joined: 04 Mar 2006 Posts: 826

JonnyB61 · Joined: 30 Oct 2006 Posts: 216 Location: Japan

Yo Dude
Under the Freedom of Information Act England and Wales, anyone holding information about you in a database is legally obliged to reveal it to you on application, and that includes the police.

I had to do it myself a couple of years ago. I just went into my local police station in London, provided some ID, filled in the application form and paid the fee. I forget now but I think it was �20, probably gone up by now, Rolling Eyes

. If you do it yourself like this, the search results are sent to your home about 3 weeks later. They come through on a blue certificate and if you have no criminal record it simply states ' No information is held.'

At the time I did it, you couldn't do it by post or online because they needed to personally check your ID before revealing confidential information about you. Don't know if that's still true.

Hope this helps. Let us know how you get on.

Good luck

JonnyB

JonnyB61 · Joined: 30 Oct 2006 Posts: 216 Location: Japan

I've just checked the CRB website and read that they do not run checks on behalf of individuals. This confused me for a few moments until it occurred to me that what I applied for was, I think, a police records check not a CRB check.
Sorry for any confusion caused. Only trying to help. Maybe the police record check would be adequate for your needs.

Best wishes

JB

ironopolis · Joined: 01 Apr 2004 Posts: 379

Thanks for the replies, especially jonny, as that's the kind of info I was looking for.

I too had tried the CRB website and found that they don't do checks on request from individuals. I suspected I might have to contact the police, but obviously it's a bit of a problem if I have to do this in person.

Is there anyone who, like me, has gone through this whilst living outside of the UK?

marinboy · Joined: 23 Dec 2006 Posts: 10 Location: osaka

You're right you can't get a CRB check yourself (I've had many and they're always through an employer), the freedom of info act does allow you to get the information but that route is very long and slow.

Disclosure Scotland will allow you to apply for a basic check on yourself. Their website has all the details and it costs about 20 quid I think and you can apply online (http://www.disclosurescotland.co.uk/basic.htm). I've never done it from outside the UK, but did it a few months ago from England and it took them about three weeks.

The more enhanced checks done by both Disclosure Scotland and the CRB will require your employer or uni to apply for you. Those checks cover the various lists that people may be on to stop them working with children and vulnerable people. The basic just confirms if you have or criminal record or not.