AccessNI checks are the official criminal record screening service for Northern Ireland and are used by employers to make safe and compliant hiring decisions.
VETTING.com provides fast and secure AccessNI background checks for organisations operating in Northern Ireland, including security companies, healthcare providers, education settings, recruitment agencies and public sector employers.
AccessNI (Northern Ireland equivalent of DBS)
checks help employers verify criminal history, support safeguarding decisions and reduce hiring risk.
Every AccessNI check completed through VETTING.com includes identity verification and address
confirmation as part of the screening process, ensuring accurate and compliant results.
An AccessNI check is a criminal record check carried out in Northern Ireland. It is used by employers to assess the suitability of candidates working in roles that require trust, safeguarding or access to sensitive environments.
AccessNI checks are the Northern Ireland equivalent of DBS checks used in England and Wales, for Scotland see Disclosure Scotland checks.
There are three levels of AccessNI checks:
Basic – Shows unspent convictions and conditional cautions.
Standard – Shows spent and unspent convictions, cautions, warnings and
reprimands.
Enhanced – Includes the same information as Standard plus any relevant
information held by local police forces and, where applicable, barred list information
Yes. Self employed individuals can apply for Standard and Enhanced AccessNI checks through a
registered umbrella body such as VETTING.com.
VETTING.com guides applicants through the full process, including identity verification,
document checks and application submission, helping self employed professionals complete their
criminal record screening quickly and securely.
COMPLETION TIME: 2-14 DAYS
COVERAGE: UK
Our platform provides the option of a single or multi check report for all checks that you carry out. All the information you need is available to read and save at the click of a button.
Crystal clear self-managed user interfaces with automation
View and filter checks on our candidate dashboard
See all the data about your check and it's progression
Compile multiple settings & checks into a package
Mobile optimised candidate & referee workflows
Always available global support team, contactable by phone
Hopefully we can answer all of your AccessNI Check questions below, but if you have any other questions, please feel free to contact us.
AccessNI checks are required for roles involving trust, safeguarding or regulated environments.
They are commonly used by:
They are widely used across Northern Ireland for both regulated and non-regulated employment screening.
The information returned depends on the level of check requested but may include:
AccessNI checks require identity verification and proof of address documentation as part of the screening process.
Accepted ID documents include:
Accepted proof of address documents include:
Processing times depend on the level of check required. Basic checks are typically faster, while Standard and Enhanced checks may take longer depending on the level of verification required.
AccessNI is the Northern Ireland equivalent of DBS checks used in England &Wales. Both services provide criminal record screening but operate under different jurisdictions.
AccessNI checks cannot be fast tracked as they are processed through official channels. Delays can be reduced by ensuring all candidate information and documents are accurate at the time of submission.
AccessNI checks can be requested by employers, organisations and registered umbrella bodies such as VETTING.com on behalf of self-employed candidates requiring background screening.
Candidates are guided through each step of the process, including identity verification and application submission. Support is available via the VETTING.com team if assistance is required.