Variations to the standard DBS route

Sensitive applications route

The sensitive applications route gives transgender applicants the choice not to have any gender or name information disclosed on their DBS certificate, which could reveal their previous gender identity. If you are transgender and do not wish this to be disclosed to your employer and/or on your DBS certificate, you should contact the dedicated sensitive applications team at the UK Government. You can read more on their website.

To contact the sensitive applications team, please telephone 0300 131 2784 or email

Applicants who have been adopted

If you were adopted before the age of 10, you do not need to provide your surname at birth in section A of the DBS application form, and should instead give your adoptive name in this section.

If you were adopted after the age of 10, please put your surname at birth in the application. This is because the age of criminal responsibility is deemed to be 10 years, under the Children and Young Persons Act 1933.