CRB Post-10 adoption policy

I was adopted after the age of 10 and am applying for a position that requires me to obtain a Disclosure from the CRB. I do not wish to reveal details of my pre-adoption names to my employer. What can I do?

CRB Post-10 adoption policy

The purpose of the Criminal Records Bureau is to protect children and other vulnerable people by providing wider access to criminal justice information to those managing people in positions of trust. Accordingly they have to be confident that the searches conducted are based on full and accurate information. It remains essential for the CRB to be aware of any previous names of those applying for Disclosure.

It is recognised that the process of revealing pre-adoption names can be difficult. As part of an ongoing review of customer requirements the CRB, in conjunction with BAAF, has developed a process to assist persons adopted after the age of 10 who may not wish to reveal pre-adoption names to employers. The policy does not alter the position that there is no requirement for persons adopted prior to the age of 10 to reveal pre-adoption names.

The process allows individuals to submit details of pre-adoption names directly to the CRB without first revealing the details to the Registered Body.

The process works in the following stages:

1. Post-10 adopted persons are invited to leave those parts of section C of the Disclosure application form blank where revealing details would indicate a post-10 adoption. If however any other names have been used other than pre-adoption names, section C must be completed as normal.
2. The applicant should initiate the process by contacting the CRB by telephone (on 0151 676 1523/1462) to instruct that they intend to submit a pro-forma letter.
3. The applicant then submits the application form to the Registered Body in the normal way for countersignature and transmission to the CRB.
4. The applicant completes the pro-forma letter giving details of previous name(s) along with certain other details that will help link the letter with the Disclosure application. The pro-forma will not be scanned and will held on a secure 'restricted' database.
5. At the same time as stage 3, the applicant submits the pro-forma letter (download as word doc, or pdf) to CRB using the secure PO Box number* attaching documentary evidence to support the request in the form of the original adoption certificate or the original birth certificate. The pro-forma is sent to:
   
   FAO Jason Ali - Sensitive Casework Manager
   Freepost NWW5699A
   PO Box 165
   Liverpool
   L3 1ZY
   Tel: 0151 676 1523/1462
   
   Enclosures should be placed in a double envelope and marked "private and confidential."
6. Upon receipt of the pro-forma letter the CRB will link the letter to the Disclosure application and conduct Disclosure searches using all names submitted.
7. A Disclosure will then be printed in the name given in section A of the application form. However where a record is found the details will be printed on the Disclosure as held by the data-source and may therefore reveal a pre-adoption name.

*It is important to ensure that the secure PO Box number is used to send the pro-forma letter and not the normal CRB address. Care should also be taken to ensure that the pro-forma letter is posted to the CRB at the same time that the application form is submitted to the Countersignatory, where it will be held until receipt of the application. It is recommended that a recorded postage method be used.

Download the pro-forma letter

• As a word document
• As a pdf