Police Act 1997

118 Evidence of identity. U.K.

(1) The Secretary of State may refuse to issue a certificate under this Part, or to consider an application under section 117 [F1 or 120], unless the application is supported by such evidence of identity as he may require.

(2) In particular, the Secretary of State 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.

[F2 (2A) For the purpose of verifying evidence of identity supplied in pursuance of subsection (1) the Secretary of State may obtain such information as he thinks is appropriate from data held—

(a) by the [F3 United Kingdom Passport Agency] [F3 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.]

[F4 (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.]

[F5 (3) Regulations dealing with the taking of fingerprints may make provision requiring their destruction in specified circumstances and by specified persons.]

[F5 (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).]

(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 where a new certificate is issued.

Textual Amendments

F1 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)

F2 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)

F3 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.

F4 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.

F5 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.

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)