Police Act 1997

118 Evidence of identity.U.K.

(1)[F1The Secretary of State] [F1DBS] may refuse to issue a certificate under this Part, or to consider [F2an application as mentioned in section 116A(4)(a) or (5)(a) or] an application under section 117 [F3, 117A] [F4or 120], unless the application is supported by such evidence of identity as [F5he] [F5it] may require.

(2)In particular, [F6the Secretary of State] [F6DBS] may refuse to issue a certificate or consider an application unless the applicant—

(a)has his fingerprints taken at such place and in such manner as may be prescribed, and

(b)pays the prescribed fee to such person as may be prescribed.

[F7(2A)For the purpose of verifying evidence of identity supplied in pursuance of subsection (1) [F8the Secretary of State] [F8DBS] may obtain such information as [F9he] [F9it] thinks is appropriate from data held—

(a)by the [F10United Kingdom Passport Agency] [F10Identity and Passport Service];

(b)by the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency;

(c)by Driver and Vehicle Licensing Northern Ireland;

(d)by the Secretary of State in connection with keeping records of national insurance numbers;

(e)by such other persons or for such purposes as is prescribed.]

[F11(2B)The Scottish Ministers may require an applicant to have fingerprints taken under subsection (2) only if they are not satisfied by other evidence provided under subsection (1) as to the applicant's identity.]

[F12(3)Regulations dealing with the taking of fingerprints may make provision requiring their destruction in specified circumstances and by specified persons.]

[F12(3)The Scottish Ministers must arrange the destruction of any fingerprints taken in pursuance of subsection (2) as soon as reasonably practicable after they have been used for the purpose mentioned in subsection (1).]

[F13(3A)[F14DBS] by notice given in writing may require a person who has a certificate which is subject to up-date arrangements under section 116A to attend at a place and time specified in the notice to provide fingerprints for the sole purpose of enabling [F14DBS] to verify whether information in the possession of [F14DBS] that [F14DBS] considers may be relevant to the person's certificate does relate to that person.

(3B)If a person fails to comply with a requirement imposed under subsection (3A), [F14DBS] by notice given in writing may inform that person that, from a date specified in the notice, the person's certificate is to cease to be subject to up-date arrangements.]

(4)Regulations prescribing a fee for the purposes of subsection (2)(b) shall make provision for a refund in cases of an application under section 117 [F15or 117A] where a new certificate is issued.

Textual Amendments

F2Words in s. 118(1) inserted (E.W.) (17.6.2013) by Protection of Freedoms Act 2012 (c. 9), s. 120, Sch. 9 para. 109(2)(a) (with s. 97); S.I. 2013/1180, art. 2(e)(ii); and inserted (N.I.) (2.11.2015) by Justice Act (Northern Ireland) 2015 (c. 9), s. 106(2), Sch. 5 para. 7(2)(a); S.R. 2015/358, art. 2(m)(ii)

F3Word in s. 118(1) 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), s. 120, Sch. 9 para. 109(2)(b) (with s. 97); S.I. 2012/2234, art. 2(aa)(vii); and inserted (N.I.) (2.11.2015) by Justice Act (Northern Ireland) 2015 (c. 9), s. 106(2), Sch. 5 para. 7(2)(b); S.R. 2015/358, art. 2(m)(ii)

F4Words in s. 118(1) inserted (1.7.2005 for S., 1.7.2005 for E.W., 1.4.2008 for N.I.) by Serious Organised Crime and Police Act 2005 (c. 15), ss. 164(2), 178(4)(d)(8); S.S.I. 2005/358, art. 2(c); S.I. 2005/1521, art. 3(3)(a); S.I. 2008/697, art. 2(b)

F14Word in s. 118(3A)(3B) substituted (E.W.) (1.12.2012) by The Protection of Freedoms Act 2012 (Disclosure and Barring Service Transfer of Functions) Order 2012 (S.I. 2012/3006), arts. 1(1), 37(j) (with Pt. 4)

F15Words in s. 118(4) 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), s. 120, Sch. 9 para. 109(4) (with s. 97); S.I. 2012/2234, art. 2(aa)(vii); and inserted (N.I.) (2.11.2015) by Justice Act (Northern Ireland) 2015 (c. 9), s. 106(2), Sch. 5 para. 7(4); S.R. 2015/358, art. 2(m)(ii)

Commencement Information

I1S. 118 in force at 1.3.2002 for E.W. by S.I. 2002/413, art. 2

S. 118 in force at 25.4.2002 for S. by S.S.I. 2002/124, art. 4

I2S. 118 in force at 1.4.2008 for N.I. by S.I. 2008/692, art. 2(j)