This guidance explains how to fill out the DBS (Disclosure & Barring Service) application when your address history is non-standard or “unusual” (i.e. not just a simple, continuous home address).
Key principles (for all applicants):
- You must supply a complete 5-year address history before completing the application date. GOV.UK
- The address you put in section b is your current address (where you’ll receive mail & your DBS certificate). GOV.UK
- Use section c (or continuation sheets) for past addresses / special cases. GOV.UK
- Don’t write vague words like “current”, “still there”, “present”, “N/A” etc. Be specific with dates (month/year) and full address/detail where required. GOV.UK
How to handle common “unusual” situations:
The guide walks through how to record addresses (in section c) for various non-typical living / travelling / employment situations over the last 5 years:
| Scenario | What you do / what to record |
|---|---|
| Student / term-time housing / home address | Use the address you want mail sent to as your section b; list student / term addresses with dates in section c. GOV.UK |
| Working away from home (temporary stays) | If stays are brief (days), you omit them. If you stay months at a time elsewhere, include that address + dates. GOV.UK |
| Frequent or long-term traveller | If abroad or moving around for long periods, you should list “TRAVELLING” as the address, supply country or UK and the date ranges. GOV.UK |
| Living on boats/ships / canal boats / merchant vessels | Use the registered port address or permanent mooring (not every stop) + date ranges. GOV.UK |
| No fixed abode (homeless / transient period) | Use “NO FIXED ABODE” in the address field, list the town/city/county/country and the period you had no fixed residence. You can’t use “no fixed abode” as your current address. You’ll need a “care of” address for section b. GOV.UK |
| Armed Forces / BFPO addresses | You may use a British Forces Post Office (BFPO) number in section b (current) and/or in section c. For BFPO you may omit some fields that are mandatory in usual addresses. GOV.UK |
| Overseas addresses | If you’ve lived outside the UK in the last 5 years, list “OVERSEAS” + the country + date ranges in section c. If you currently live overseas, with agreement you can use a UK correspondence address in section b (for mailing). GOV.UK |
| Women's refuge / sheltered accommodation | Provide the standard address details but do not mention the nature of the accommodation (i.e. no references to “refuge”). Include usual fields + date ranges. GOV.UK |
| Prison addresses | Supply the name of the prison and either the town/county, plus the dates you were there. GOV.UK |
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