Overseas Criminal Record Checks

If you have lived outside the UK in the last five years, you may need an additional check before you can be verified. Here is what that involves and how to get it sorted.

Do you need an overseas police check?

If you have lived outside the UK for more than six months at any point in the last five years, you will need an overseas police check. Schools require five years of police checks to be completed, and a UK DBS only covers your time in this country.

How to get an overseas police check

You will need to obtain and pay for this yourself. The process, cost, and turnaround time vary depending on the country.

You can find guidance on whether your government provides overseas police checks and how to apply on the Gov.uk overseas criminal records checks page.

What if an overseas police check is not available?

Some governments do not provide overseas police checks, or the process is so difficult that it is not a realistic option. In that case, a Letter of Good Conduct may be accepted instead.

A Letter of Good Conduct is a written reference from a senior person - such as a manager or business owner - at your last place of work in the country where you lived. It confirms your conduct during the time you were there.

Your recruiter will be able to advise you on whether a Letter of Good Conduct is appropriate for your situation and walk you through what is needed.

How to get a Letter of Good Conduct

To get the process started, you will need to provide your recruiter with the following details for a manager or senior member of staff at your last place of work in that country.

Their email address and their phone number.

Your recruiter will take it from there.

Still have questions?

Email support@zeneducate.com or message us through the Help section in the app.