A Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check is a physical document that states a person's suitability for a job after a criminal record check has been completed. It is used to help employers determine if the candidate meets the criteria for the role.
If you are starting a job overseas and they have requested an apostilled DBS certificate, the document must be certified by an UK notary public. The disclosure and barring service are not eligible for e-apostille.
The documents and legalisation process terms may vary depending on the following factors:
Legalisation is the process by which the signature and seal of the Notary Public or government officer/department are authenticated by the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) and/or by a foreign embassy or consulate of the receiving country, where the document is going to be used. A number of countries, primarily in the Middle East, still require this process of further consular legalisation after the Apostille is affixed to the document.
The legalisation requirements are determined only by the authorities in the receiving country, where the document is going to be used, not by the UK government, notary public or solicitor.
After the Apostille is affixed to the document by the UK FCDO, if the country where the document is going to be submitted is not a Signatory to The Hague Convention 1961, the document must be forwarded to the relevant foreign embassy, consulate or High Commission for that respective country in the United Kingdom for further legalisation/attestation. For certain Arab countries, commercial documents may also require further attestation by the London and Arab-British Chambers of Commerce before submitting to the relevant embassy, consulate or High Commission for further legalisation.
Drop off and collect your documents in person at our office in central Birmingham, or post them to our address. When notarisation is required, our notary will take care of this step as usual.
We will get your documents Apostilled by the FCDO. When further Consulate/Embassy legalisation is required, we will take care of this step for you.
Upon legalisation, we will email you the scanned copy and tracking details prior to despatching at no extra costs. We arrange delivery via DHL International Express or Royal Mail Special Delivery.
Receive the documents with FCDO Apostille to your UK address within 2 to 6 weeks.
Receive the documents with FCDO Apostille to your UK address within 4/5 working days.
Same day FCDO Apostille service for documents that comply with a number of special requirements.