Check the facts before you decide
Background Checks
UKPI provides personal and business background checks for employers, landlords, families, solicitors and private clients. We agree what may be checked, obtain consent where required and explain the findings in plain English.
What we do
Background Checks explained
A background check can examine a person’s identity, address history, employment, qualifications, company links, financial records, public records and online history. The exact searches depend on why the check is needed, what the law permits and whether the person’s consent is required.
- Personal checks for new partners, relatives, neighbours and other people entering your life
- Business checks on employees, directors, partners, suppliers and other organisations
- DBS and criminal-record checks at the level allowed for the role and applicant
- Credit and financial-standing checks with the correct permission
- UK and international checks across more than 40 countries
Our specialist services
Explore our background checks
Select a service below to learn more about how we can help with your specific situation.
DBS Checks
Basic, standard and enhanced checks for eligible roles, processed through authorised routes.
Request a DBS check about DBS ChecksEmployee Screening Services
Check identity, work history, qualifications, references and other information relevant to an employee's role.
View employee screening about Employee Screening ServicesPre-Employment Checks
Choose the checks that fit the role before an appointment is confirmed.
View pre-employment checks about Pre-Employment ChecksCriminal Record Checks
Use the permitted criminal-record route and disclosure level for the applicant, role and lawful purpose.
View criminal-record checks about Criminal Record ChecksReference Verification Services
Confirm work history, dates, positions, qualifications and professional references.
View reference verification about Reference Verification ServicesTenant Screening Services
Check identity, employment, affordability, credit information and previous tenancy history with the correct permissions.
View tenant screening about Tenant Screening ServicesCorporate Vetting & Due Diligence
Check companies, directors, partners and suppliers before entering a commercial relationship.
View corporate vetting about Corporate Vetting & Due DiligenceNanny & Carer Background Checks
Check identity, references and eligible DBS information before appointing someone to work with children or vulnerable adults.
View nanny and carer checks about Nanny & Carer Background ChecksHow we help you
Background check scenarios we handle
Every case is different, but these are the most common reasons people come to us for background checks.
Personal and relationship checks
Check claims made by a new partner, online date, neighbour, friend or person entering the family. The available sources depend on the purpose and lawful basis.
Employment and safeguarding checks
Confirm identity, work history, qualifications and references. DBS information is obtained only at the level the role and legal eligibility allow.
Business and financial checks
Examine directors, partners, suppliers, company links, insolvency and credit information. Regulated financial data requires the correct permission.
Tenancy and household checks
Check prospective tenants, nannies, carers and others who may have access to a home, property or vulnerable person.
Our process
How a background check works
We keep you informed at every stage. No surprises, no jargon, no pressure.
Explain the reason for the check
Tell us who or what needs checking and why. We identify suitable searches, consent requirements and any legal limits before work starts.
Confirm details and permission
We collect the available identifying information and obtain consent or supporting documents where the selected check requires them.
Check and verify the records
An investigator compares relevant records, documents, references and open sources. Conflicts are checked rather than copied into the report without context.
Receive a clear report
The report sets out what was checked, what was confirmed, any discrepancies and any limits on the information available.
Why choose UKPI
How UKPI conducts background checks
Checks matched to the purpose
A personal enquiry, regulated appointment and business review do not use the same sources. We match the work to the instruction.
Investigator review
The service includes human review and cross-checking, not only an automated database result.
Authorised DBS routes
Basic, standard and enhanced DBS applications are handled through authorised routes. Eligibility determines which level can lawfully be requested.
UK and overseas coverage
UKPI conducts checks in the UK and across more than 40 countries, subject to the records available in each jurisdiction.
Clear timescales and costs
Standard checks are normally returned within 24 hours. More detailed, overseas and DBS checks can take longer, and the expected timing is confirmed at the start.
Transparency
Checks, consent and legal limits
The information available depends on the reason for the check, the person receiving the report and the permissions required by law.
- DBS checks are processed through authorised routes. The available level depends on the role and the legal eligibility criteria.
- Spent and unspent conviction information is available only where the law and the permitted DBS level allow it.
- Credit and financial-standing checks require the necessary permission and a lawful purpose.
- We do not share findings beyond the people authorised to receive the report.
- We report the evidence and its limits. Decisions about hiring, tenancy or a relationship remain with the client.
Real outcomes
Background check case examples
All names and identifying details have been changed to protect client confidentiality.
The qualified candidate
The challenge
A financial services firm was about to appoint a senior risk manager. The candidate had an impressive CV with qualifications from two universities.
Our approach
Our education verification revealed that one degree was genuine but the other had been fabricated. The university had no record of the candidate.
The charming tenant
The challenge
A landlord had a prospective tenant who presented well and offered to pay six months upfront. Something felt too good to be true.
Our approach
Our checks revealed the tenant had been evicted from two previous properties for non-payment and had three CCJs registered against them.
The online partner
The challenge
A woman had been in an online relationship for eight months. Before meeting in person, she wanted to verify her partner's claims about his background.
Our approach
Our checks confirmed his name and age were correct, but he was still legally married with two children. His claimed profession did not match reality.
Transparent pricing
Background check costs
We believe in honest pricing. You will receive a clear, fixed-fee quote before any work begins.
£195 to £375
We offer three levels of background check. The Standard check is £195 and covers identity, address, date of birth, aliases, property, CCJs and bankruptcies, relatives, employment history and business interests. The Enhanced check is £315 and adds press, media and internet history, recent and previous address searches, and professional capabilities. The Enhanced Plus check is £375 and adds international sanctions checks, reported criminal activity and personal assets. Standard checks are typically completed within 24 hours. Enhanced and Enhanced Plus checks are usually returned within three to five working days.
Factors affecting cost
- Type and depth of check required
- Whether DBS processing is included
- Number of individuals or companies to check
- Whether international jurisdictions are involved
- Turnaround time required
Common questions
Frequently asked questions about background checks
Depending on the instruction, a check can cover identity, address history, employment, qualifications, references, company links, County Court judgments, insolvency, criminal-record routes, credit information and relevant public or online records.
That depends on the purpose and the information requested. Some personal checks can use lawful public and open sources without consent. DBS, employment, tenancy and credit checks may require consent, eligibility or another lawful basis. We confirm the permitted route before starting.
Yes. UKPI handles DBS applications through authorised routes. Basic, standard and enhanced checks are available where the applicant and role meet the rules for that level.
Only where the law and the permitted DBS level allow it. The role, legal eligibility and type of application determine which conviction information may be disclosed.
Yes, where the correct permission and lawful purpose are in place. Depending on the instruction, searches may include County Court judgments, insolvency, company records and authorised credit information.
Standard checks are normally returned within 24 hours. Enhanced, overseas and DBS checks can take longer because they depend on the records, authorities and jurisdictions involved. We confirm the expected timing before work starts.
Yes. UKPI conducts background checks across more than 40 countries. The records and timescales vary by jurisdiction, so we confirm what can be checked before accepting the instruction.
Get in touch
Talk to us about background checks
You do not need all the answers before you call. Tell us what is happening and we will explain your options. Every conversation is completely confidential.
- Free, no-obligation consultation
- Response within 2 hours
- 100% confidential
- Available 24/7: 0800 043 1754
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- Confidential by default
- Accredited and insured
- Court-admissible evidence
- Est. 1997