table of contents
- Apostille an ACRO certificate
- Apostille a DBS certificate
- Frequently Asked Questions
- How long is an ACRO certificate valid for an apostille?
- Can I apostille a digital ACRO certificate?
- Do I need to apostille a DBS for working abroad?
- Which is better for a visa application - ACRO or DBS?
- How long does the ACRO or DBS apostille take?
- Do I need to apostille a DBS that includes my full address history?
ACRO & DBS Apostille UK: Police Certificate Legalisation
An ACRO certificate or DBS check can both be legalised with an apostille for use abroad. The apostille, issued by the UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO), is a form of legalisation that confirms your UK-issued background check is genuine, and is required by most overseas employers and visa authorities when you need to prove a clean criminal record.
We apostille both ACRO Police Certificates and DBS Basic, Standard and Enhanced checks for use overseas. ACRO certificates are legalised with an apostille only from £82 per document, while DBS certificates usually require solicitor certification before the apostille can be issued, from £94 per document. Most applications are completed in approximately 1–2 working days.
The rest of this page covers how the service works, which certificate is accepted in which country, and the underlying difference between an ACRO and a DBS check – so you can be confident you are sending the right document for your destination.
Apostille your ACRO or DBS certificate
Fast UK apostille services for ACRO Police Certificates and DBS checks. Most applications completed in approximately 1–2 working days.
Apostille an ACRO certificate
An ACRO Police Certificate is the criminal record certificate produced by the Association of Chief Police Officers Criminal Records Office specifically for international use – visa applications, overseas employment, residency and immigration.
Once issued by ACRO, the certificate needs an apostille before most foreign authorities will accept it.
Our ACRO Apostille Service
ACRO certificates carry an FCDO-recognised signature, so they can be apostilled without any additional solicitor certification. The original certificate is returned to you with the apostille attached.
Apostille a DBS certificate
A DBS check, issued by the Disclosure and Barring Service, is the standard UK criminal record check for domestic employment, but is increasingly accepted overseas in place of, or in addition to, an ACRO certificate. All three levels (Basic, Standard and Enhanced) can be apostilled.
Our DBS Apostille Service
Because DBS certificates are issued without any signatures from a DBS official, the FCDO will only apostille a DBS check that has first been certified by a regulated UK solicitor as an original document. Our Express Solicitor Certification & Apostille service handles both steps in a single order.
Understanding the Difference between ACRO and DBS Background Checks
Background checks play a crucial role in various aspects of our lives, from employment screening to visa applications and volunteer work. Two commonly used types of background checks are the ACRO (Association of Chief Police Officers Criminal Records Office) and DBS (Disclosure and Barring Service) checks. Criminal record background checks are commonly used when working abroad and will often require the apostille to ensure they accepted.
While both aim to provide information about an individual’s criminal history, they differ in their scope, purpose, and the information they disclose. In this article, we will explore the key differences between ACRO and DBS background checks to help you understand their distinct features and applications.
ACRO Background Checks:
ACRO background checks are primarily used for international purposes, such as immigration, visa applications, or employment in another country. ACRO is the UK’s designated authority for providing criminal record certificates for these purposes. ACRO checks involve accessing the Police National Computer (PNC) in the United Kingdom to gather criminal records information.
Key features of ACRO background checks:
International use
ACRO certificates are specifically designed for use outside the United Kingdom and are widely accepted by overseas employers, immigration authorities and consulates.
Police National Computer source
The certificate is generated using criminal record information held on the UK Police National Computer (PNC).
Criminal record disclosure
ACRO certificates can disclose convictions, cautions, reprimands and warnings recorded on UK police systems, subject to ACRO disclosure rules and filtering policies. ACRO certificates focus on criminal record disclosure and do not normally include the broader local police intelligence sometimes associated with Enhanced DBS checks.
Immigration and visa focused
ACRO certificates are commonly required for residency applications, teaching abroad, emigration, long-stay visas and overseas background screening.
Limited to the UK
ACRO checks primarily gather criminal record data from the UK Police National Computer, meaning the information provided relates specifically to UK-based criminal records.
DBS Background Checks
DBS background checks, on the other hand, are normally used for domestic purposes within the United Kingdom. The Disclosure and Barring Service is responsible for processing these checks and providing access to criminal record information for individuals working in specific sectors or roles, particularly those involving contact with children or vulnerable adults.
Key features of DBS background checks:
Domestic applications
DBS checks are commonly used across UK sectors such as education, healthcare, social care, financial services, and roles involving close contact with children or vulnerable individuals.
Three levels of disclosure
DBS offers Basic, Standard and Enhanced checks. The level required depends on the nature of the role, sector and safeguarding responsibilities involved.
Wider information disclosure
Depending on the level requested, DBS checks can disclose convictions, cautions, warnings and reprimands in addition to other relevant safeguarding information.
Whilst a DBS is typically used for domestic checks in the UK, it can also be used internationally, at which point an apostille is almost always required.
Which certificate does each country accept?
Different overseas authorities have different preferences for which UK criminal record certificate they will accept. Based on the documents we often legalise, here is how the most common destination countries break down. Always confirm with the receiving authority, i.e. the employer, embassy or visa department, before ordering, since requirements can change and individual organisations may differ from the country norm.
Destinations where an ACRO Police Certificate is preferred
An ACRO Police Certificate is the document we legalise most often for the following destinations. It is also the certificate most receiving authorities in these countries explicitly request:
Europe
Latin America
Other destinations
Destinations where a DBS check is commonly requested
A small number of countries see a clear preference for DBS checks rather than ACRO certificates, particularly in our experience for teaching and sponsored-work contracts:
South Korea
Most commonly requested for English-teaching contracts, E-2 visa applications, and other sponsored-work opportunities.
Vietnam
Commonly requested for teaching positions, NGO roles, and international-school employment.
A DBS check is also a valid choice when the receiving employer has specifically asked for one, regardless of country. If you are unsure, the receiving party’s exact wording is the deciding factor.
Destinations where either an ACRO or a DBS is commonly accepted
Some countries see a near-even mix of both certificates in our experience – the choice depends on what the requesting employer, university or institution has specifically asked for:
China
Since China joined the Hague Apostille Convention in November 2023, both ACRO Police Certificates and DBS checks are widely accepted by Chinese employers, visa authorities and educational institutions. The deciding factor is normally whichever certificate the receiving party has specifically requested.
Morocco, Montenegro & Turkey
In our experience, both ACRO Police Certificates and DBS checks are commonly accepted for these destinations. The receiving employer, immigration authority or institution's exact wording should always be treated as the deciding factor.
Non-Hague destinations: Apostille and Embassy Attestation required
A handful of important destinations are not Hague Convention members. For these countries the apostille is still the first step, but the document then needs additional attestation at the relevant embassy in London. We can assist with the embassy attestation.
United Arab Emirates
The ACRO Police Certificate is the document we most commonly legalise for the UAE. The process involves an apostille, UAE Embassy attestation, and final UAE MOFA legalisation.
Learn more about our UAE attestation service →Qatar
The ACRO Police Certificate is also the most commonly requested document for Qatar. The legalisation process requires both an apostille and Qatar Embassy attestation.
Learn more about our Qatar attestation service →Kuwait
In our experience, the ACRO Police Certificate is the most commonly legalised document for Kuwait, although DBS checks are also accepted in a significant number of cases. The process requires both an apostille and Kuwait Embassy attestation.
Learn more about our Kuwait attestation service →Rule of Thumb
For most overseas visa, residency and employment applications, the ACRO Police Certificate is the safer choice, it is the UK’s designated international criminal record certificate and is what we see overseas authorities ask for most often. The clearest exceptions are South Korea and Vietnam, where DBS checks are more commonly requested, typically by employers. Where the receiving party has asked for a specific document by name, send what they have asked for – their wording always takes precedence over any general guidance.
How to order your ACRO or DBS apostille
Order the apostille service online
Choose the correct service depending on the certificate you are legalising:
Apply for your certificate
Order your ACRO Police Certificate directly from ACRO or your DBS check through GOV.UK. We cannot apply for the certificate on your behalf.
Send the original document to us
Post the original certificate to us with your order number. You can also ask ACRO or DBS to send the document directly to our office to reduce delays.
Solicitor certification (DBS only)
Where required, our UK solicitor certifies the DBS certificate before submission to the FCDO Legalisation Office.
FCDO apostille processing
We submit the document directly to the UK Legalisation Office for apostille processing. This stage is typically completed in approximately 1–2 working days.
Return delivery
Your completed order is returned according to your delivery instructions. Tracked and international courier options are available during checkout.
