If you need to use a Disclosure Scotland certificate outside the UK, the receiving authority may ask for the document to be legalised with an apostille.
This is common for overseas employment, visa applications, residency, professional registration, teaching roles, healthcare jobs, volunteering, childcare work and other regulated roles. A Disclosure Scotland certificate may confirm criminal record information, but an overseas authority may still need proof that the document is genuine and has been issued or certified correctly.
In the UK, apostilles are issued by the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, also known as the FCDO. Legalisation confirms that a signature, seal or stamp on a UK document is genuine, so the document can be accepted abroad.
Below, we explain when a Disclosure Scotland apostille may be needed, which types of certificates can be legalised, whether solicitor certification is required, and how to avoid common mistakes.
What is a Disclosure Scotland certificate?
Disclosure Scotland is a Scottish Government executive agency. It helps organisations make safer recruitment decisions and helps prevent unsuitable people from working with vulnerable groups, including children.
A Disclosure Scotland certificate may show criminal record information depending on the level of check requested. It is often used by employers, professional bodies, voluntary organisations, educational institutions and other authorities.
For international use, a Disclosure Scotland certificate may be described by the receiving authority as a:
- Scottish criminal record check
- police clearance certificate
- background check
- disclosure certificate
- certificate of good conduct
- criminal record certificate
The wording can vary from country to country, so it is important to confirm exactly which document is required before arranging the apostille.
What is a Disclosure Scotland apostille?
A Disclosure Scotland apostille is an official certificate attached to the document to confirm that the relevant UK signature, stamp or seal has been verified.
The apostille does not change the content of the Disclosure Scotland certificate. It simply confirms that the document, or the certification attached to it, has been legalised for use abroad.
If your document is going to a country that is part of the Hague Apostille Convention, the FCDO apostille is often enough. If the destination country is not part of the Hague Convention, the document may also need embassy or consular legalisation after the apostille.
When do you need a Disclosure Scotland apostille?
You may need a Disclosure Scotland apostille if you are submitting the certificate to an overseas authority.
Common reasons include:
- applying for a job abroad
- applying for a work visa
- moving overseas for residency
- teaching abroad
- working in healthcare or social care
- applying for childcare or education roles
- volunteering overseas
- joining a professional register
- applying for adoption or fostering-related procedures
- providing police clearance for immigration
- meeting overseas licensing requirements
For example, an international school may ask for a criminal record check before confirming a teaching position. A healthcare employer may ask for a legalised disclosure before allowing you to start work. A foreign immigration department may request a police clearance document as part of a visa or residency application.
Which Disclosure Scotland certificates can be apostilled?
Disclosure Scotland now uses different levels of disclosure depending on the role and purpose of the check. Current services include Level 1, Level 2 and PVG scheme applications.
Level 1 disclosure
A Level 1 disclosure is the lowest level of disclosure. It usually shows unspent convictions and is often used for general employment or personal purposes.
If an overseas authority asks for a basic Scottish criminal record check, a Level 1 disclosure may be the relevant document.
Level 2 disclosure
A Level 2 disclosure is used for certain roles where more detailed criminal record information may be required. The organisation requesting the check will usually confirm whether a Level 2 disclosure is needed.
This may apply to roles involving trust, responsibility, professional regulation or sensitive work.
Level 2 with barred list check
A Level 2 disclosure with barred list check may be required for specific roles where the authority needs to check whether someone is barred from working with children or protected adults.
This type of check is more specific and is normally linked to the role being applied for.
PVG scheme certificate
The Protecting Vulnerable Groups scheme, known as the PVG scheme, is used for regulated roles involving children or protected adults in Scotland. Disclosure Scotland provides guidance to help organisations and individuals check whether a role needs PVG scheme membership.
From 1 April 2026, new PVG scheme membership lasts for five years from the date a person joins the scheme, according to Disclosure Scotland’s 2026 updates.
If your PVG certificate or confirmation is required overseas, the receiving authority may ask for it to be apostilled.
Is Disclosure Scotland the same as DBS or ACRO?
No. Disclosure Scotland, DBS and ACRO are not the same.
Disclosure Scotland handles disclosure checks in Scotland. DBS checks are used in England and Wales. AccessNI is used in Northern Ireland. ACRO police certificates are often requested for immigration, visa and residency purposes.
This is important because overseas authorities can be very specific. Some will accept a Disclosure Scotland certificate. Others may ask for an ACRO police certificate instead.
Before starting the apostille process, check the exact wording of the request. If the authority asks for a “police certificate for immigration purposes”, they may mean ACRO rather than Disclosure Scotland.
Can a Disclosure Scotland certificate be apostilled?
Yes, a Disclosure Scotland certificate can usually be apostilled for overseas use, but the correct process depends on the document.
The FCDO can legalise UK documents by confirming the authenticity of a signature, seal or stamp. If your Disclosure Scotland certificate does not contain a signature or seal that can be directly legalised, it may need solicitor certification first.
In many cases, the apostille is attached to the solicitor’s certification rather than directly to the Disclosure Scotland certificate itself.
Do you need solicitor certification first?
Many Disclosure Scotland certificates need to be certified by a UK solicitor before they can be submitted for an apostille.
Solicitor certification confirms that the document is a true copy or has been checked in the correct way for legalisation. The FCDO can then verify the solicitor’s signature and attach the apostille.
This may be needed if:
- you are submitting a copy rather than the original
- the certificate does not contain a verifiable signature
- the document is digital or printed from an online account
- the receiving authority requires a certified copy
- the FCDO cannot legalise the document directly
Using the wrong certification wording can cause delays or rejection, so it is important to prepare the document correctly before submission.
How to get a Disclosure Scotland apostille
The process usually includes the following steps.
1. Confirm which document is required
Before ordering an apostille, check whether the receiving authority wants a Disclosure Scotland certificate, DBS certificate, ACRO police certificate or another type of background check.
Do not assume that all UK criminal record checks are interchangeable.
2. Check the destination country
The country where the document will be used determines the legalisation route.
For Hague Convention countries, an FCDO apostille is usually enough. For non-Hague countries, you may need embassy or consular attestation after the apostille.
3. Check the document format
Make sure your Disclosure Scotland certificate is complete, clear and suitable for legalisation. If the document is damaged, cropped, incomplete or only available as a scan, extra steps may be needed.
4. Arrange solicitor certification if required
If the document cannot be apostilled directly, a UK solicitor can certify it. This creates a legalisation route that the FCDO can verify.
5. Submit the document for FCDO apostille
Once the document has been prepared correctly, it can be submitted to the FCDO for apostille legalisation.
6. Arrange embassy attestation if needed
If the destination country requires further legalisation, the apostilled document may need to be submitted to the relevant embassy or consulate.
7. Send the legalised document overseas
Once the apostille and any required embassy attestation are complete, the document can be sent to the receiving authority, employer, visa office or overseas organisation.
How long does a Disclosure Scotland apostille take?
The timescale depends on the document type, whether solicitor certification is needed, and whether the destination country requires embassy attestation.
A straightforward apostille is usually quicker than a full embassy legalisation process. However, you should allow extra time if:
- the document needs solicitor certification
- the certificate is old and may need to be replaced
- the receiving authority requires a recent document
- the document needs translation
- embassy attestation is required after the apostille
- there is a visa or employment deadline
If the certificate is needed for a job start date, visa appointment or relocation deadline, it is best to begin the process as early as possible.
Does a Disclosure Scotland apostille expire?
An apostille itself does not usually expire. However, the receiving authority may have its own rules about how recent the criminal record check must be.
For example, an overseas employer or immigration authority may request a certificate issued within the last three or six months.
This means an older Disclosure Scotland certificate may be rejected even if the apostille is valid.
Do you need a translation?
If the document is being used in a non-English-speaking country, a certified translation may be required.
The correct order depends on the country and the receiving authority. In some cases, the original Disclosure Scotland certificate is apostilled first and then translated. In other cases, the translation itself may need to be certified, notarised or legalised.
Before arranging translation, check whether the authority needs:
- the original apostilled certificate
- a certified translation
- an apostilled translation
- both the English document and translated version
- embassy attestation after translation
Getting the order wrong can lead to delays and additional costs.
Common mistakes to avoid
The most common mistakes with Disclosure Scotland apostilles include:
- apostilling the wrong type of criminal record check
- assuming Disclosure Scotland is the same as DBS or ACRO
- sending a scan when the original or certified copy is required
- using an old certificate when a recent one is needed
- forgetting solicitor certification
- using incorrect certification wording
- sending a damaged or incomplete certificate
- failing to check country-specific legalisation rules
- forgetting embassy attestation for non-Hague countries
- translating the document at the wrong stage
These mistakes can cause delays, rejection or problems with the overseas authority.
Disclosure Scotland apostille for employment abroad
Many overseas employers ask for a criminal record check before confirming employment. This is especially common in education, healthcare, childcare, finance, security, social care and government-related roles.
If the employer is outside the UK, they may not be able to verify a Scottish disclosure certificate directly. An apostille helps confirm that the document has been legalised through the proper UK process.
Before starting, ask the employer whether they require Disclosure Scotland, DBS or ACRO. This avoids paying to legalise the wrong document.
Disclosure Scotland apostille for visa and immigration applications
Some visa and residency applications require a criminal record certificate from the UK.
However, immigration authorities often have strict rules about which certificate they accept. Some countries may request an ACRO police certificate instead of Disclosure Scotland. Others may accept Disclosure Scotland if the applicant lives or has lived in Scotland.
Always check the exact requirements from the embassy, immigration authority or visa application centre before legalising the document.
Do you need embassy attestation after the apostille?
Embassy attestation depends on the destination country.
If the country accepts apostilles, the FCDO apostille is usually the final legalisation step. If the country does not accept apostilles, the document may need further legalisation through the relevant embassy or consulate.
The typical process may be:
- solicitor certification, if required
- FCDO apostille
- embassy or consular attestation
- certified translation, if required
The order can vary, so the requirements should always be checked before submission.
How we can help
We can help you legalise your Disclosure Scotland certificate for overseas use.
Our service can include checking your document, confirming whether solicitor certification is needed, arranging solicitor certification, submitting the document for FCDO apostille, advising on embassy attestation and helping with certified translation where required.
If you are unsure whether your certificate can be apostilled, send us a clear scan and tell us the country where the document will be used. We can confirm the correct process before you send the original.