Police Act 1997

118 Evidence of identity. U.K.

(1) [F1 The Secretary of State] [F1 DBS] may refuse to issue a certificate under this Part, or to consider [F2 an application as mentioned in section 116A(4)(a) or (5)(a) or] an application under section 117 [F3 , 117A] [F4 or 120], unless the application is supported by such evidence of identity as [F5 he] [F5 it] may require.

(2) In particular, [F6 the Secretary of State] [F6 DBS] may refuse to issue a certificate or consider an application unless the applicant—

(a) has his fingerprints taken at such place and in such manner as may be prescribed, and

(b) pays the prescribed fee to such person as may be prescribed.

[F7 (2A) For the purpose of verifying evidence of identity supplied in pursuance of subsection (1) [F8 the Secretary of State] [F8 DBS] may obtain such information as [F9 he] [F9 it] thinks is appropriate from data held—

(a) by the [F10 United Kingdom Passport Agency] [F10 Identity and Passport Service];

(b) by the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency;

(c) by Driver and Vehicle Licensing Northern Ireland;

(d) by the Secretary of State in connection with keeping records of national insurance numbers;

(e) by such other persons or for such purposes as is prescribed.]

[F11 (2B) The Scottish Ministers may require an applicant to have fingerprints taken under subsection (2) only if they are not satisfied by other evidence provided under subsection (1) as to the applicant's identity.]

[F12 (3) Regulations dealing with the taking of fingerprints may make provision requiring their destruction in specified circumstances and by specified persons.]

[F12 (3) The Scottish Ministers must arrange the destruction of any fingerprints taken in pursuance of subsection (2) as soon as reasonably practicable after they have been used for the purpose mentioned in subsection (1).]

[F13 (3A) [F14 DBS] by notice given in writing may require a person who has a certificate which is subject to up-date arrangements under section 116A to attend at a place and time specified in the notice to provide fingerprints for the sole purpose of enabling [F14 DBS] to verify whether information in the possession of [F14 DBS] that [F14 DBS] considers may be relevant to the person's certificate does relate to that person.

(3B) If a person fails to comply with a requirement imposed under subsection (3A), [F14 DBS] by notice given in writing may inform that person that, from a date specified in the notice, the person's certificate is to cease to be subject to up-date arrangements.]

(4) Regulations prescribing a fee for the purposes of subsection (2)(b) shall make provision for a refund in cases of an application under section 117 [F15 or 117A] where a new certificate is issued.

Textual Amendments

F1 Words in s. 118(1) substituted (E.W.) (1.12.2012) by The Protection of Freedoms Act 2012 (Disclosure and Barring Service Transfer of Functions) Order 2012 (S.I. 2012/3006), arts. 1(1), 37(j) (with Pt. 4)

F2 Words in s. 118(1) inserted (E.W.) (17.6.2013) by Protection of Freedoms Act 2012 (c. 9), s. 120, Sch. 9 para. 109(2)(a) (with s. 97); S.I. 2013/1180, art. 2(e)(ii); and inserted (N.I.) (2.11.2015) by Justice Act (Northern Ireland) 2015 (c. 9), s. 106(2), Sch. 5 para. 7(2)(a); S.R. 2015/358, art. 2(m)(ii)

F3 Word in s. 118(1) inserted (E.W.) (10.9.2012 immediately after the coming into force of the Safeguarding Vulnerable Groups (Miscellaneous Amendments) Order 2012 (S.I. 2012/2157)) by Protection of Freedoms Act 2012 (c. 9), s. 120, Sch. 9 para. 109(2)(b) (with s. 97); S.I. 2012/2234, art. 2(aa)(vii); and inserted (N.I.) (2.11.2015) by Justice Act (Northern Ireland) 2015 (c. 9), s. 106(2), Sch. 5 para. 7(2)(b); S.R. 2015/358, art. 2(m)(ii)

F4 Words in s. 118(1) inserted (1.7.2005 for S., 1.7.2005 for E.W., 1.4.2008 for N.I.) by Serious Organised Crime and Police Act 2005 (c. 15), ss. 164(2), 178(4)(d)(8); S.S.I. 2005/358, art. 2(c); S.I. 2005/1521, art. 3(3)(a); S.I. 2008/697, art. 2(b)

F5 Word in s. 118(1) substituted (E.W.) (1.12.2012) by The Protection of Freedoms Act 2012 (Disclosure and Barring Service Transfer of Functions) Order 2012 (S.I. 2012/3006), arts. 1(1), 41(a) (with Pt. 4)

F6 Words in s. 118(2) substituted (E.W.) (1.12.2012) by The Protection of Freedoms Act 2012 (Disclosure and Barring Service Transfer of Functions) Order 2012 (S.I. 2012/3006), arts. 1(1), 37(j) (with Pt. 4)

F7 S. 118(2A) inserted (1.7.2005 for S., 1.7.2005 for E.W., 1.4.2008 for N.I.) by Serious Organised Crime and Police Act 2005 (c. 15), ss. 164(3), 178(4)(d)(8); S.S.I. 2005/358, art. 2(c); S.I. 2005/1521, art. 3(3)(a); S.I. 2008/697, art. 2(b)

F8 Words in s. 118(2A) substituted (E.W.) (1.12.2012) by The Protection of Freedoms Act 2012 (Disclosure and Barring Service Transfer of Functions) Order 2012 (S.I. 2012/3006), arts. 1(1), 37(j) (with Pt. 4)

F9 Word in s. 118(2A) substituted (E.W.) (1.12.2012) by The Protection of Freedoms Act 2012 (Disclosure and Barring Service Transfer of Functions) Order 2012 (S.I. 2012/3006), arts. 1(1), 41(b) (with Pt. 4)

F10 Words in s. 118(2A)(a) substituted (S.) (11.1.2008) by Protection of Vulnerable Groups (Scotland) Act 2007 (asp 14), s. 101(2), sch. 4 para. 34(a) (with ss. 90, 99); S.S.I. 2007/564, art. 2, sch.

F11 S. 118(2B) inserted (S.) (11.1.2008) by Protection of Vulnerable Groups (Scotland) Act 2007 (asp 14), s. 101(2), sch. 4 para. 34(b) (with ss. 90, 99); S.S.I. 2007/564, art. 2, sch.

F12 S. 118(3) substituted (S.) (11.1.2008) by Protection of Vulnerable Groups (Scotland) Act 2007 (asp 14), s. 101(2), sch. 4 para. 34(c) (with ss. 90, 99); S.S.I. 2007/564, art. 2, sch.

F13 S. 118(3A)(3B) inserted (E.W.) (17.6.2013) by Protection of Freedoms Act 2012 (c. 9), s. 120, Sch. 9 para. 109(3) (with s. 97); S.I. 2013/1180, art. 2(e)(ii)

F14 Word in s. 118(3A)(3B) substituted (E.W.) (1.12.2012) by The Protection of Freedoms Act 2012 (Disclosure and Barring Service Transfer of Functions) Order 2012 (S.I. 2012/3006), arts. 1(1), 37(j) (with Pt. 4)

F15 Words in s. 118(4) inserted (E.W.) (10.9.2012 immediately after the coming into force of the Safeguarding Vulnerable Groups (Miscellaneous Amendments) Order 2012 (S.I. 2012/2157)) by Protection of Freedoms Act 2012 (c. 9), s. 120, Sch. 9 para. 109(4) (with s. 97); S.I. 2012/2234, art. 2(aa)(vii); and inserted (N.I.) (2.11.2015) by Justice Act (Northern Ireland) 2015 (c. 9), s. 106(2), Sch. 5 para. 7(4); S.R. 2015/358, art. 2(m)(ii)

Commencement Information

I1 S. 118 in force at 1.3.2002 for E.W. by S.I. 2002/413, art. 2

S. 118 in force at 25.4.2002 for S. by S.S.I. 2002/124, art. 4

I2 S. 118 in force at 1.4.2008 for N.I. by S.I. 2008/692, art. 2(j)