Help with completing your application
Once we receive your correctly completed application, we aim to issue 90% of disclosure certificates within 14 days. The actual time taken will depend on the volume of applications we receive and the type of application submitted. Enhanced Disclosures may involve liaison with police forces and could take longer.
- Costs
- Obtaining a receipt
- Completing the applicationcation form
- Suitable identification
- Submitting your identification documentationMother's Family Name
Costs
The cost of Basic, Standard or Enhanced Disclosure is £23 for each application. If you apply through an umbrella body, you may have to pay a higher fee to cover their administration costs.
Obtaining a receipt
Your certificate acts as proof that you have paid for the service.
Completing the application form
We have produced a brief guide to help you complete your application form. If you require clarification of any issue, please contact us.
Download the form completion guide
Suitable identification
When you submit a Basic application you'll need to include copies of at least three documents which confirm your identity. These could be:
- A passport or driving licence which shows your date of birth
- A utility bill, bank, mortgage or credit card statement that shows your address
If you are applying for basic Disclosure you must include at least one piece of identification that contains your address.
Submitting your identification documentation to Disclosure Scotland
If you are submitting identification documentation with your application form, please send photocopies.
Mother's Family Name
Following the Soham murder case, the Home Secretary requested that Sir Michael Bichard lead an independent inquiry into child protection measures, record keeping, vetting and information sharing.
The report was published in June 2004 and 31 recommendations were made. The mother’s family name became a mandatory field as part of our disclosure application process. It emerged that by using his mother’s maiden name, Ian Huntley managed to escape detection from background vetting checks. This was because the surname he provided when applying for his post differed from the surname under which the police held intelligence for him. Since this change was implemented Disclosure Scotland can obtain criminal information held against an applicant using their mother’s maiden name, this information is therefore relevant.
Getting your application to us
If you are applying for a basic disclosure you should send the signed application and any supporting documents to us at:
Disclosure Scotland
PO Box 250
Glasgow
G51 1EA
If you are applying for Standard or Enhanced Disclosure you should pass your signed form and identification to the employer or other organisation who has asked for the disclosure.
