Checking your identity

Checking your identity

As part of our volunteer recruitment process, we check identity documents for all new starters. We request you bring in your identity documents either before your first shift or on your first day, before your shift begins. If you are unable to provide proof of identity, you will not be able to volunteer with us until you have. Please contact our volunteering team (email volunteering@stpaulscathedral.org.uk or call 020 7246 8370) with any questions or concerns.

If the volunteering role you are undertaking requires Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check (this is a criminal record check because you will be working closely with children and/or vulnerable adults), our in-house proof of identity check is a separate process to the DBS requirements.  Your Staff Lead will tell you more about completing a DBS check.

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Documents we can accept

There are a number of documents we can view. Please note that we are unable to accept photocopies. Our preference is for us to view a document containing your photograph in person, and any document from Group 1 will meet this need.

If you are unable to provide a document from Group 1, then please provide one document from each of the following groups – Group 2a and Group 2b. 

Please do take a note of validity requirements.

Group 1 : Primary Trusted Identity Credentials
Document Notes
Passport Any current and valid passport
Biometric residence permit UK
Current driving licence photocard (full or provisional) UK, Isle of Man, and Channel Islands. From 8th June 2015 the paper counterpart to the driving licence will not be valid and will no longer be issued by DVLA
Birth certificate - issued within 12 months of birth UK, Isle of Man, and Channel Islands - including those issued by UK authorities overseas, for example embassies, High Commission and HM Forces
Adoption certificate UK and Channel Islands
Group 2a: Trusted government documents
Document Notes 
Current driving licence photocard - (full or provisional) All countries outside the UK (excluding Isle of Man and Channel Islands)
Current driving licence (full or provisional) - paper version (if issued before 1998) UK, Isle of Man, and Channel Islands
Birth certificate - issued after time of birth UK, Isle of Man, and Channel Islands
Marriage/civil partnership certificate UK and Channel Islands
Immigration document, visa, or work permit Issued by a country outside the UK. Valid only for roles whereby the applicant is living and working outside of the UK. Visa/permit must relate to the non-UK country in which the role is based
HM Forces ID card UK
Firearms licence UK, Isle of Man, and Channel Islands

 

Group 2b: Financial and social history documents
Documents Notes Issue date and validity
Mortgage statement UK Issued in last 12 months
Bank or building society statement UK and Channel Islands Issued in last 3 months
Bank or building society statement Countries outside the UK Issued in last 3 months - branch must be in the country where the applicant lives and works
Bank or building society account opening confirmation letter UK Issued in last 3 months
Credit card statement UK Issued in last 3 months
Financial statement, for example pension or endowment UK Issued in last 12 months
P45 or P60 statement UK and Channel Islands Issued in last 12 months
Council Tax statement UK and Channel Islands Issued in last 12 months
Letter of sponsorship from future employment provider Non-UK only - valid only for applicants residing outside of the UK at time of application     Must still be valid
Utility bill UK - not mobile telephone bill Issued in last 3 months
Benefit statement, for example Child Benefit, pension UK Issued in last 3 months
Central or local government, government agency, or local council document giving entitlement, for example from the Department for Work and Pensions, the Employment Service, HMRC UK and Channel Islands Issued in last 3 months
EEA National ID card   Must still be valid
Irish Passport Card Cannot be used with an Irish passport Must still be valid
Cards carrying the PASS accreditation logo UK, Isle of Man, and Channel Islands Must still be valid
Letter from head teacher or college principal UK - for 16 to 19 year olds in full time education - only used in exceptional circumstances if other documents cannot be provided Must still be valid

 

What will happen to my documents?

We will take a photocopy of any documents you bring in for review and keep these in your hard copy file. In Assemble, we will mark that we have seen your documents confirming your identity.

An image of the West front of St Paul's Cathedral in the sunshine

Arranging for your documents to be checked

The checking of documents will be undertaken by our HR team based in Chapter House. This can happen on any day before you start your volunteering, or on the first day before your volunteering shift starts.

We advise you to contact the HR team to confirm someone will be available to meet with you (ideally with 48 hours notice). Please do this by emailing askhr@stpaulscathedral.org.uk, confirming your name, role and the day/time you would like to come in (and whether you have some flexibility with this).  Please note, without receiving a reply, confirming an agreed time/date, it is very unlikely there will be someone available to review and photocopy your documents and you are likely to be politely turned away.

The HR team is available Monday to Friday, 9.00am until 5.00pm. If you are unable to attend on a weekday, please email volunteering@stpaulscathedral.org.uk to let us know, confirming any dates and times you would be able to bring in your documents for checking, and we will then make appropriate alternative arrangements.

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Volunteer with us

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Volunteering FAQ

Have a question about volunteering for us? From time commitments to accessibility, find your answers here.

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