DBS Guidelines for Transgender Applicants

Guidance and information regarding the sensitive applications route for transgender applicants

The Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) offers a confidential checking service for transgender applicants in accordance with the Gender Recognition Act 2004. This is known as the sensitive applications route, and is available for all levels of DBS check - basic, standard and enhanced.

The sensitive applications route gives transgender applicants the choice not to have any gender or name information disclosed on their DBS certificate, that could reveal their previous gender identity.

Guidance and information regarding the sensitive applications route for transgender applicants. (updated 2 March 2025)

Further guidance: There can be several obstacles for Transgender applicants who are applying for a DBS. These include applicants not wanting to disclose previous names or genders to an organisation or employer in the process of the application, worries about what name and gender will be displayed on the certificate, and not having accepted identification documents in a person's name if they have recently changed it.

Read the guidelines: DBS Guidelines for Transgender Applicants