Access NI Requests

Completing an Application: Access NI Checks

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What is an Access NI check? 

An AccessNI check is a criminal background check used in Northern Ireland. Employers use it to make sure their staff are safe and suitable for the job. There are three types of checks: Basic, Standard, and Enhanced. They show different levels of past criminal activity, including spent and ongoing convictions, cautions, and police records. 

More information can be found on the various levels of check in the Types of AccessNI checks guide. 
 

What do I need to complete the Access NI check? 


Review the Access NI Form 

Within your Amiqus request, the requesting organisation will have attached the Access NI form to provide the necessary information, including the level you will need to complete (basic, standard, or enhanced), and the PIN number required for applying via the NIDirect website. 

Create a NIDirect Account

You will need a NIDirect account to process your application. If you already have a NIDirect account, you should use it to log in and complete your application. To set up a new NIDirect account you will need to follow the guidance for creating a nidirect account. You can only apply if the organisation that requested the check provided you with a personal identification number (PIN), which will be included in the Access NI form mentioned earlier. If there are problems creating this account contact NIDirect on 0300 200 7868 or email nida@nidirect.gov.uk. 

Have Proof of Identity Ready  

When you submit your online application, you'll need to upload proof of your identity. Without this, your application won't be accepted. Please note that this is separate from any photo ID verification check you may have already done as part of the overall request, and the results can't be reused for this purpose. 

You will be asked to upload two forms of acceptable ID to AccessNI. To ensure your application is processed as quickly as possible:

  • Please include your birth certificate issued at the time of your birth (or another suitable document confirming your name(s) at birth and your date of birth), 
  • Along with a second document that shows your current name and includes a recent photo of yourself.
  • AccessNI does accept other types of ID, but these may take longer to process. Here, you will find a list of acceptable forms of ID

More information on completing this can be found in the following article: Uploading proof of your identity for a criminal record check. 

Completing the Application 

  1. To begin, head to the NIDirect website to apply. 
  2. On the NIDirect website, you will see options for various levels of checks. Please select the level required by the requesting organisation, as specified in the Access NI form. 
    • Note that in any of these cases, you must choose the option to apply online through a responsible body. For example, to complete an enhanced check, you would choose “Apply online for an enhanced check through a registered body”.
  3. Once you’ve selected the level of check you need, you’ll be taken to a webpage with information about the application process and the documents you’ll need to help complete your application. 
  4. To start your application, select the green button at the bottom of the webpage.
  5. Log in to your NIDirect account using your registered credentials and select “Sign in”.
  6. If your NIDirect account is not activated automatically and enters the manual verification queue, you will need to restart the process once your NIDirect account has been activated to log in and complete the AccessNI application.
    • The manual verification queue for AccessNI serves as a holding area for applications needing further review beyond automated checks. This usually occurs if their identification verification fails during the initial stage of the process. More information on identity assurance and manual verification can be found here. 
  7. Enter the 6-digit PIN provided in the Access NI form within the Amiqus request and click "Next".
  8. Check that the details of the person and organisation requesting the application are correct. Please note that this will be a member of the Amiqus Staff.
  9. Work through each page, filling in the required information. Make sure the information auto-filled from your NIDirect account is accurate.
  10. Please provide all previous surnames, maiden names, or any other names you have used in the past. Make sure to include all your given names, including middle names. Failing to do so may lead to delays.
  11. Continue completing the remaining application fields by entering the necessary details.
    • Features such as address validation, drop-down menus, and quick select options are available.
    • Use the postcode lookup feature to enter an address.
    • Your previous entries will be saved once you click “Next”.
  12. Read through the applicant's declaration, tick the confirmation box if you agree, and enter the date of completion.
  13. When you have completed the application, you will be provided with an Application Case Reference Number. Please ensure you record this, as it will need to be added to the AccessNI form in the Amiqus request. You will also be provided with an email confirmation along with a link to track your application’s progress.

Important Step: Once submitted, return to the Amiqus Request and insert the Application Case Reference Number into the AccessNI Form to complete the request. 

Online Guides (Hosted by Access NI) 

For more information on how to complete these applications, Access NI also provides useful guides, which can be found below. 

 

What happens after submitting the application? 

When you apply online, you’ll receive an email confirming that the registered organisation, in this case Amiqus, has received your application for approval. Once your application is approved, AccessNI will process it. To check the progress of your application, log in to your nidirect account. However, as processing takes place, you'll also receive email updates on the application's progress.

How long will my application take to process with AccessNI? 

Turnaround times are updated weekly on the NI Direct website. You can find the latest processing times here. 

How do I know when my application is completed?

Once the application is complete, you will receive a digital disclosure certificate in your NIDirect account. As the registered body, Amiqus can view when a certificate has been issued, but we won't have access to the certificate itself. Therefore, we will inform the organisation requesting it that it has been issued, and they will contact you to share access to the certificate temporarily. 

How do I find and share my certificates? 

When you log in to your NIDirect account to view your certificate, you'll see an option to share it. To do this, you'll need to enter the email address of the person you'd like to share it with. Please note that you can only enter one email address at a time, so if you need to share with multiple employers or individuals, you'll have to enter each email address separately. Once you've shared your certificate, the requesting organisation will have five days to view it, and they can only access it once. If they miss the five-day timeframe or need to view it again, they'll have to ask you to share it again.  

 

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