Part VU.K. Certificates of Criminal Records, &c.

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C2Pt. 5 explained (7.7.2008 for specified purposes, 3.3.2011 for specified purposes, 10.3.2015 in so far as not already in force) by Data Protection Act 1998 (c. 29), s. 56(4) (as amended (19.5.2008) by 2006 c. 47, ss. 63, 65, Sch. 9 para. 15(3) (with ss. 51, 57(3), 60(4), 64(5)); S.I. 2008/1320, art. 3; S.I. 2008/1592, art. 2; S.I. 2011/601, art. 2; S.I. 2015/312, art. 2)

C5Pt. 5 extended in part (Guernsey) (with modifications) (10.12.2009) by The Police Act 1997 (Criminal Records) (Guernsey) Order 2009 (S.I. 2009/3215), arts. 1(2), 3, Sch. 1, Sch. 3 (with arts. 1(3), 6-8)

C6Pt. V extended in part (Jersey) (with modifications) (18.3.2010) by The Police Act 1997 (Criminal Records) (Jersey) Order 2010 (S.I. 2010/765), arts. 1(2), 3, Schs. 1, 3 (with arts. 1(3), 6-8)

C7Pt. V extended in part (Isle of Man) (with modifications) (18.3.2010) by The Police Act 1997 (Criminal Records) (Isle of Man) Order 2010 (S.I. 2010/764), arts. 1(2), 3, Schs. 1, 3 (with arts. 1(3), 6-8)

[F1113BEnhanced criminal record certificatesE+W

(1)[F2DBS] must issue an enhanced criminal record certificate to any individual who—

(a)makes an application F3...,

[F4(aa)is aged 16 or over at the time of making the application,] and

(b)pays in the prescribed manner any prescribed fee.

(2)The application must—

(a)be countersigned by a registered person, and

(b)be accompanied by a statement by the registered person that the certificate is required [F5for the purposes of an exempted question asked] for a prescribed purpose.

[F6(2A)But an application for an enhanced criminal record certificate need not be countersigned by a registered person if—

(a)the application is transmitted to [F7DBS] electronically by a registered person who satisfies conditions determined by [F7DBS], and

(b)it is transmitted in accordance with requirements determined by [F7DBS].]

(3)An enhanced criminal record certificate is a certificate which—

(a)gives the prescribed details of every relevant matter relating to the applicant which is recorded in central records and any information provided in accordance with subsection (4), or

(b)states that there is no such matter or information.

(4)Before issuing an enhanced criminal record certificate [F8DBS] must request any relevant chief officer to provide any information which F9...—

(a)[F10the chief officer reasonably believes to] be relevant for the purpose described in the statement under subsection (2), and

(b)[F11in the chief officer's opinion,] ought to be included in the certificate.

[F12(4A)In exercising functions under subsection (4) a relevant chief officer must have regard to any guidance for the time being published by the Secretary of State.]

F13(5). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

F13(6). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(7)[F14DBS] may treat an application under this section as an application under section 113A if in [F15its] opinion the certificate is not required for a purpose prescribed under subsection (2).

(8)If by virtue of subsection (7) [F16DBS] treats an application under this section as an application under section 113A, [F17it] must refund to the applicant the amount (if any) by which the fee paid in relation to the application under this section exceeds the fee payable in relation to an application under section 113A.

(9)In this section—

  • “central records”, “exempted question”, and “relevant matter” have the same meaning as in section 113A;

  • [F18“relevant chief officer” means any chief officer of a police force who is identified by [F19DBS] for the purposes of making a request under subsection (4).]

  • F20...

(10)For the purposes of this section references to a police force include any of the following—

[F21(a)the Royal Navy Police;]

(c)the Royal Military Police;

(d)the Royal Air Force Police;

(e)the Ministry of Defence Police;

F22(f). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

F22(g). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(h)the British Transport Police;

(i)the Civil Nuclear Constabulary;

(j)the States of Jersey Police Force;

(k)the salaried police force of the Island of Guernsey;

(l)the Isle of Man Constabulary;

(m)a body with functions in any country or territory outside the British Islands which correspond to those of a police force in any part of the United Kingdom,

and any reference to the chief officer of a police force includes the person responsible for the direction of a body mentioned in this subsection.

(11)For the purposes of this section each of the following must be treated as if it were a police force—

(a)the Commissioners for Her Majesty's Revenue and Customs (and for this purpose a reference to the chief officer of a police force must be taken to be a reference to any one of the Commissioners);

(b)the [F23National Crime Agency] (and for this purpose a reference to the chief officer of a police force must be taken to be a reference to the Director General of the Agency);

[F24(ba)the tri-service serious crime unit (and for this purpose a reference to the chief officer of a police force must be taken to be a reference to the Provost Marshal for serious crime);]

(c)such other department or body as is prescribed (and regulations may prescribe in relation to the department or body the person to whom a reference to the chief officer is to be taken to be).

[F25(12)For the purposes of this Part a person acts as the registered person in relation to an application for an enhanced criminal record certificate if the person—

(a)countersigns the application, or

(b)transmits the application to [F26DBS] under subsection (2A).]

F27(13). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .]

Textual Amendments

F1Ss. 113A-113F inserted (1.4.2006 for S. except for the insertion of s. 113E, 6.4.2006 for E.W. for specified purposes, 25.9.2006 for E.W. for specified purposes, 12.11.2007 for E.W. for specified purposes, 29.2.2008 for E.W. for specified purposes, 1.4.2008 for N.I., 9.3.2015 for E.W. for specified purposes) by Serious Organised Crime and Police Act 2005 (c. 15), ss. 163(2), 178(4)(d)(8); S.S.I. 2006/166, art. 2(1)(c); S.I. 2006/378, art. 7(a); S.I. 2006/2182, art. 2; S.I. 2007/3064, art. 2; S.I. 2008/306, art. 2; S.I. 2008/697, art. 2(a); S.I. 2015/188, art. 2

F4S. 113B(1)(aa) inserted (E.W.) (10.9.2012 immediately after the coming into force of the Safeguarding Vulnerable Groups (Miscellaneous Amendments) Order 2012 (S.I. 2012/2157)) by Protection of Freedoms Act 2012 (c. 9), ss. 80(1), 120 (with s. 97); S.I. 2012/2234, art. 2(s) (with art. 5)

F5Words in s. 113B(2)(b) inserted (E.W.N.I.) (12.10.2009 for E.W., 12.10.2009 for N.I.) by Safeguarding Vulnerable Groups Act 2006 (c. 47), s. 65, Sch. 9 para. 14(3) (with ss. 51, 57(3), 60(4), 64(5)); S.I. 2009/2610, art. 2(a) (with arts. 4-23); S.I. 2009/2611, art. 2, Sch.

F9Words in s. 113B(4) repealed (E.W.) (10.9.2012 immediately after the coming into force of the Safeguarding Vulnerable Groups (Miscellaneous Amendments) Order 2012 (S.I. 2012/2157)) by Protection of Freedoms Act 2012 (c. 9), ss. 82(1)(b), 120, Sch. 10 Pt. 6 (with s. 97); S.I. 2012/2234, art. 2(u)(cc)

F10Words in s. 113B(4)(a) substituted (E.W.) (10.9.2012 immediately after the coming into force of the Safeguarding Vulnerable Groups (Miscellaneous Amendments) Order 2012 (S.I. 2012/2157)) by Protection of Freedoms Act 2012 (c. 9), ss. 82(1)(c), 120 (with s. 97); S.I. 2012/2234, art. 2(u)

F11Words in s. 113B(4)(b) inserted (E.W.) (10.9.2012 immediately after the coming into force of the Safeguarding Vulnerable Groups (Miscellaneous Amendments) Order 2012 (S.I. 2012/2157)) by Protection of Freedoms Act 2012 (c. 9), ss. 82(1)(d), 120 (with s. 97); S.I. 2012/2234, art. 2(u)

F12S. 113B(4A) inserted (E.W.) (10.9.2012 immediately after the coming into force of the Safeguarding Vulnerable Groups (Miscellaneous Amendments) Order 2012 (S.I. 2012/2157)) by Protection of Freedoms Act 2012 (c. 9), ss. 82(2), 120 (with s. 97); S.I. 2012/2234, art. 2(u)

F13S. 113B(5)(6) repealed (E.W.) (10.9.2012 immediately after the coming into force of the Safeguarding Vulnerable Groups (Miscellaneous Amendments) Order 2012 (S.I. 2012/2157) for specified purposes, 17.6.2013 in so far as not already in force) by Protection of Freedoms Act 2012 (c. 9), ss. 79(2)(b), 120, Sch. 10 Pt. 6 (with s. 97); S.I. 2012/2234, art. 2(q)(cc); S.I. 2013/1180, art. 2(a)

F18Words in s. 113B(9) inserted (E.W.) (10.9.2012 immediately after the coming into force of the Safeguarding Vulnerable Groups (Miscellaneous Amendments) Order 2012 (S.I. 2012/2157)) by Protection of Freedoms Act 2012 (c. 9), ss. 82(3)(a), 120 (with s. 97); S.I. 2012/2234, art. 2(u)

F20Words in s. 113B(9) repealed (E.W.) (10.9.2012 immediately after the coming into force of the Safeguarding Vulnerable Groups (Miscellaneous Amendments) Order 2012 (S.I. 2012/2157)) by Protection of Freedoms Act 2012 (c. 9), ss. 82(3)(b), 120, Sch. 10 Pt. 6 (with s. 97); S.I. 2012/2234, art. 2(u)(cc)

F21S. 113B(10)(a) substituted for s. 113(10)(a)(b) (4.6.2007) by Armed Forces Act 2006 (c. 52), s. 383(2), Sch. 16 para. 149; S.I. 2007/1442, art. 2(1)

F22S. 113B(10)(f)(g) omitted (7.10.2013) by virtue of Crime and Courts Act 2013 (c. 22), s. 61(2), Sch. 8 para. 60(a); S.I. 2013/1682, art. 3(v)

F23Words in s. 113B(11)(b) substituted (7.10.2013) by Crime and Courts Act 2013 (c. 22), s. 61(2), Sch. 8 para. 60(b); S.I. 2013/1682, art. 3(v)

F24S. 113B(11)(ba) inserted (1.5.2022 for specified purposes, 5.12.2022 in so far as not already in force) by Armed Forces Act 2021 (c. 35), s. 24(1), Sch. 5 para. 10; S.I. 2022/471, reg. 2(e); S.I. 2022/1095, reg. 4

F27S. 113B(13) repealed (E.W.) (10.9.2012 immediately after the coming into force of the Safeguarding Vulnerable Groups (Miscellaneous Amendments) Order 2012 (S.I. 2012/2157)) by Protection of Freedoms Act 2012 (c. 9), s. 120, Sch. 9 para. 37, Sch. 10 Pt. 5 (with s. 97); S.I. 2012/2234, art. 2(aa)(bb)(i)

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

[F1113BEnhanced criminal record certificatesN.I.

(1)The Secretary of State must issue an enhanced criminal record certificate to any individual who—

(a)makes an application F3...,

[F28(aa)except in prescribed circumstances, is aged 16 or over at the time of making the application,] and

(b)pays in the prescribed manner any prescribed fee.

(2)The application must—

(a)be countersigned by a registered person, and

(b)be accompanied by a statement by the registered person that the certificate is required [F5for the purposes of an exempted question asked] for a prescribed purpose.

[F29(2A)But an application for an enhanced criminal record certificate need not be countersigned by a registered person if—

(a)the application is transmitted to the Department electronically by a registered person who satisfies conditions determined by the Department, and

(b)it is transmitted in accordance with requirements determined by the Department.]

(3)An enhanced criminal record certificate is a certificate which—

(a)gives the prescribed details of every relevant matter relating to the applicant which is recorded in central records and any information provided in accordance with subsection (4), or

(b)states that there is no such matter or information.

(4)Before issuing an enhanced criminal record certificate the Secretary of State must request [F30any relevant chief officer] to provide any information which F31... —

(a)[F32the chief officer reasonably believes to] be relevant for the purpose described in the statement under subsection (2), and

(b)[F33in the chief officer's opinion,] ought to be included in the certificate.

[F34(4A)The Department may from time to time publish guidance to chief officers as to the exercise of functions under subsection (4); and in exercising functions under that subsection a relevant chief officer must have regard to any guidance for the time being published under this subsection.]

F35(5). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

F35(6). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(7)The Secretary of State may treat an application under this section as an application under section 113A if in his opinion the certificate is not required for a purpose prescribed under subsection (2).

(8)If by virtue of subsection (7) the Secretary of State treats an application under this section as an application under section 113A, he must refund to the applicant the amount (if any) by which the fee paid in relation to the application under this section exceeds the fee payable in relation to an application under section 113A.

(9)In this section—

  • “central records”, “exempted question”, and “relevant matter” have the same meaning as in section 113A;

  • [F36relevant chief officer” means any chief officer of a police force who is identified by the Department for the purposes of making a request under subsection (4);]

  • F37...

(10)For the purposes of this section references to a police force include any of the following—

[F21(a)the Royal Navy Police;]

(c)the Royal Military Police;

(d)the Royal Air Force Police;

(e)the Ministry of Defence Police;

F22(f). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

F22(g). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(h)the British Transport Police;

(i)the Civil Nuclear Constabulary;

(j)the States of Jersey Police Force;

(k)the salaried police force of the Island of Guernsey;

(l)the Isle of Man Constabulary;

(m)a body with functions in any country or territory outside the British Islands which correspond to those of a police force in any part of the United Kingdom,

and any reference to the chief officer of a police force includes the person responsible for the direction of a body mentioned in this subsection.

(11)For the purposes of this section each of the following must be treated as if it were a police force—

(a)the Commissioners for Her Majesty's Revenue and Customs (and for this purpose a reference to the chief officer of a police force must be taken to be a reference to any one of the Commissioners);

(b)the [F23National Crime Agency] (and for this purpose a reference to the chief officer of a police force must be taken to be a reference to the Director General of the Agency);

[F24(ba)the tri-service serious crime unit (and for this purpose a reference to the chief officer of a police force must be taken to be a reference to the Provost Marshal for serious crime);]

(c)such other department or body as is prescribed (and regulations may prescribe in relation to the department or body the person to whom a reference to the chief officer is to be taken to be).

[F38(12)For the purposes of this Part a person acts as the registered person in relation to an application foran enhanced criminal record certificate if the person—

(a)countersigns the application, or

(b)transmits the application to the Department under subsection (2A).]]

Textual Amendments

F1Ss. 113A-113F inserted (1.4.2006 for S. except for the insertion of s. 113E, 6.4.2006 for E.W. for specified purposes, 25.9.2006 for E.W. for specified purposes, 12.11.2007 for E.W. for specified purposes, 29.2.2008 for E.W. for specified purposes, 1.4.2008 for N.I., 9.3.2015 for E.W. for specified purposes) by Serious Organised Crime and Police Act 2005 (c. 15), ss. 163(2), 178(4)(d)(8); S.S.I. 2006/166, art. 2(1)(c); S.I. 2006/378, art. 7(a); S.I. 2006/2182, art. 2; S.I. 2007/3064, art. 2; S.I. 2008/306, art. 2; S.I. 2008/697, art. 2(a); S.I. 2015/188, art. 2

F5Words in s. 113B(2)(b) inserted (E.W.N.I.) (12.10.2009 for E.W., 12.10.2009 for N.I.) by Safeguarding Vulnerable Groups Act 2006 (c. 47), s. 65, Sch. 9 para. 14(3) (with ss. 51, 57(3), 60(4), 64(5)); S.I. 2009/2610, art. 2(a) (with arts. 4-23); S.I. 2009/2611, art. 2, Sch.

F21S. 113B(10)(a) substituted for s. 113(10)(a)(b) (4.6.2007) by Armed Forces Act 2006 (c. 52), s. 383(2), Sch. 16 para. 149; S.I. 2007/1442, art. 2(1)

F22S. 113B(10)(f)(g) omitted (7.10.2013) by virtue of Crime and Courts Act 2013 (c. 22), s. 61(2), Sch. 8 para. 60(a); S.I. 2013/1682, art. 3(v)

F23Words in s. 113B(11)(b) substituted (7.10.2013) by Crime and Courts Act 2013 (c. 22), s. 61(2), Sch. 8 para. 60(b); S.I. 2013/1682, art. 3(v)

F24S. 113B(11)(ba) inserted (1.5.2022 for specified purposes, 5.12.2022 in so far as not already in force) by Armed Forces Act 2021 (c. 35), s. 24(1), Sch. 5 para. 10; S.I. 2022/471, reg. 2(e); S.I. 2022/1095, reg. 4

F30Words in s. 113B(4) substituted (N.I.) (2.11.2015) by Justice Act (Northern Ireland) 2015 (c. 9), ss. 40(1)(a), 106(2); S.R. 2015/358, art. 2(e)

F32Words in s. 113B(4)(a) substituted (N.I.) (2.11.2015) by Justice Act (Northern Ireland) 2015 (c. 9), ss. 40(1)(c), 106(2); S.R. 2015/358, art. 2(e)

F33Words in s. 113B(4)(b) inserted (N.I.) (2.11.2015) by Justice Act (Northern Ireland) 2015 (c. 9), ss. 40(1)(d), 106(2); S.R. 2015/358, art. 2(e)

F36Words in s. 113B(9) inserted (N.I.) (2.11.2015) by Justice Act (Northern Ireland) 2015 (c. 9), ss. 40(3)(a), 106(2); S.R. 2015/358, art. 2(e)

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C11S. 113B(10)(11) applied by S.I. 2007/1351 (N.I. 11), Sch. 1 para. 19(7A) (as inserted (N.I.) (2.11.2015) by Justice Act (Northern Ireland) 2015 (c. 9), s. 106(2), Sch. 5 para. 20(6); S.R. 2015/358, art. 2(m)(i))

Commencement Information

I1S. 113B in force at 1.4.2008 for N.I. by S.I. 2008/692, art. 2(c)

[F1[F1113BEnhanced criminal record certificatesS

(1)The Secretary of State must issue an enhanced criminal record certificate to any individual who—

(a)makes an application F3..., and

(b)pays in the prescribed manner any prescribed fee.

(2)The application must—

(a)be countersigned by a registered person, and

(b)be accompanied by a statement by the registered person that the certificate is required for a prescribed purpose.

(3)An enhanced criminal record certificate is a certificate which—

(a)gives the prescribed details of every relevant matter relating to the applicant which is recorded in central records and any information provided in accordance with subsection (4), [F39(or states that there is no such matter or information), and

(b)if the applicant is subject to notification requirements under Part 2 of the Sexual Offences Act 2003 (c.42), states that fact.]

[F40(3A)But an enhanced criminal record certificate must not give the details of a relevant matter if—

(a)those details were excluded from another enhanced criminal record certificate by virtue of an order under section 116ZB(9)(b), and

(b)it appears to the Scottish Ministers that the application under subsection (1) is made for the same purpose for which the application for the other certificate was made.]

(4)Before issuing an enhanced criminal record certificate the Secretary of State must request the chief officer of every relevant police force to provide any information which F41...—

[F42(a)the chief officer reasonably believes to be relevant for the purpose described in the statement under subsection (2), and

(b)in the chief officer’s opinion, ought to be included in the certificate.]

[F43(4A)For the avoidance of doubt, information such as is mentioned in subsection (4) may include information with respect to relevant behaviour (within the meaning of section 5(1)(a) of the Age of Criminal Responsibility (Scotland) Act 2019).]

F44(5). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

[F45(5A)The Scottish Ministers must pay to such body as may be prescribed such fee as they think appropriate for information received from the chief officer of a body mentioned in subsection (10)(j) to (m) as a result of a request under subsection (4) F46...]

F47(6). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(7)The Secretary of State may treat an application under this section as an application under section 113A if in his opinion the certificate is not required for a purpose prescribed under subsection (2).

(8)If by virtue of subsection (7) the Secretary of State treats an application under this section as an application under section 113A, he must refund to the applicant the amount (if any) by which the fee paid in relation to the application under this section exceeds the fee payable in relation to an application under section 113A.

(9)In this section—

  • “central records”, “exempted question”, and “relevant matter” have the same meaning as in section 113A;

  • “relevant police force”, in relation to an application under this section, means a police force which is a relevant police force in relation to that application under regulations made by the Secretary of State.

(10)For the purposes of this section references to a police force include any of the following—

[F21(a)the Royal Navy Police;]

(c)the Royal Military Police;

(d)the Royal Air Force Police;

(e)the Ministry of Defence Police;

F22(f). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

F22(g). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(h)the British Transport Police;

(i)the Civil Nuclear Constabulary;

(j)the States of Jersey Police Force;

(k)the salaried police force of the Island of Guernsey;

(l)the Isle of Man Constabulary;

(m)a body with functions in any country or territory outside the British Islands which correspond to those of a police force in any part of the United Kingdom,

and any reference to the chief officer of a police force includes the person responsible for the direction of a body mentioned in this subsection.

(11)For the purposes of this section each of the following must be treated as if it were a police force—

(a)the Commissioners for Her Majesty's Revenue and Customs (and for this purpose a reference to the chief officer of a police force must be taken to be a reference to any one of the Commissioners);

(b)the [F23National Crime Agency] (and for this purpose a reference to the chief officer of a police force must be taken to be a reference to the Director General of the Agency);

[F24(ba)the tri-service serious crime unit (and for this purpose a reference to the chief officer of a police force must be taken to be a reference to the Provost Marshal for serious crime);]

(c)such other department or body as is prescribed (and regulations may prescribe in relation to the department or body the person to whom a reference to the chief officer is to be taken to be).]]

Textual Amendments

F1Ss. 113A-113F inserted (1.4.2006 for S. except for the insertion of s. 113E, 6.4.2006 for E.W. for specified purposes, 25.9.2006 for E.W. for specified purposes, 12.11.2007 for E.W. for specified purposes, 29.2.2008 for E.W. for specified purposes, 1.4.2008 for N.I., 9.3.2015 for E.W. for specified purposes) by Serious Organised Crime and Police Act 2005 (c. 15), ss. 163(2), 178(4)(d)(8); S.S.I. 2006/166, art. 2(1)(c); S.I. 2006/378, art. 7(a); S.I. 2006/2182, art. 2; S.I. 2007/3064, art. 2; S.I. 2008/306, art. 2; S.I. 2008/697, art. 2(a); S.I. 2015/188, art. 2

F21S. 113B(10)(a) substituted for s. 113(10)(a)(b) (4.6.2007) by Armed Forces Act 2006 (c. 52), s. 383(2), Sch. 16 para. 149; S.I. 2007/1442, art. 2(1)

F22S. 113B(10)(f)(g) omitted (7.10.2013) by virtue of Crime and Courts Act 2013 (c. 22), s. 61(2), Sch. 8 para. 60(a); S.I. 2013/1682, art. 3(v)

F23Words in s. 113B(11)(b) substituted (7.10.2013) by Crime and Courts Act 2013 (c. 22), s. 61(2), Sch. 8 para. 60(b); S.I. 2013/1682, art. 3(v)

F24S. 113B(11)(ba) inserted (1.5.2022 for specified purposes, 5.12.2022 in so far as not already in force) by Armed Forces Act 2021 (c. 35), s. 24(1), Sch. 5 para. 10; S.I. 2022/471, reg. 2(e); S.I. 2022/1095, reg. 4