Advice on Things to Do and Mistakes to Avoid When Completing a Paper DBS Check Application Form
Paper DBS Check application forms are very strict about how they need to be filled out, in the correct way. If you don’t supply all the information that they require in detail, then the form is likely to be returned to you with a request for more information, or it can simply be rejected. The article below will give you useful advice on how best to complete the form, and mistakes to avoid doing.
Things to Do
- Black Ink is Essential
You can’t complete the form using blue ink, purple, green, red or any other colour. You can’t complete the form with a pencil. It needs to be black ink. This is typical of most official forms, and black biros are cheap and easy to find.
- Block Capital Letters
Block capital letters are much easier to read that people’s cursive handwriting which can vary greatly. Again, this is typical standard practice when completing most forms.
- Use Official Names
It is important that you use your full name that matches what you are called on official government documents, like a passport, birth certificate or driving license. It is important to include your middle name(s) because these can help differentiate you from other people with the same forename and surname. It’s also important to include any previous names, which may have changed due to adoption, marriage, or divorce etc.
- Be Thorough
The previous address history is something that you need to be especially careful with, to ensure you provide thorough and detailed information that covers the time period requested, without any gaps. If you have moved house a lot, you need to be certain of correct previous addresses, house-numbers, and postcodes.
- Read and Check the Form Carefully
Do take your time, and read each question thoroughly, to ensure you have understood what information has been asked for. Ensure that you have answered what it asked. Don’t leave any questions unanswered, because the form would either be sent back to you or rejected.
- Put Your Signature on the Form
Do ensure that you have signed the form in the relevant box, because without the signature the application would be rejected, and you’d have to complete the form once again.
Things to Avoid
- Don’t Use Correcting Fluid on the Form
If you have made a mistake on the form, don’t use correction fluid, like Tipex, to white out the form and correct it, because this would make the form invalid, and it would be rejected. Write everything carefully and avoid making mistakes.
- Don’t Use Nicknames
If you friends call you by a nickname, or an abbreviated form of your forename or surname, don’t put that on the form. The DBS Check will be searching for official names, and they will not be clear about what names to search for, if a nickname has been used. The same applies for buildings or street names, always use the official names.
- Don’t Write Outside the Boxes
If any information falls outside of the boxes, it will not be included in your application. It can sometimes be worth checking how many letters words are before starting to write them in the boxes, to ensure they will fit on the row. Don’t ever attempt to write more than one letter in each box.
- Don’t Use Abbreviations
Always write words out in full and its correct word, rather than using abbreviated words on the form, such as a + symbol, instead of the word ‘and.’
- Don’t Use Coloured Ink
As mentioned in the ‘Do’ section above, only ever use black ink to complete the form. Never use coloured ink.
It can be a safer option to complete the DBS form online, rather than on paper, because you can check and recheck information to ensure it is correct before submitting the form. It’s a lot easier to do without making mistakes. It also avoids any postal delays or lost post, by completing it online.
