1. Home
  2. Archive
  3. Frequently Asked Questions

Frequently Asked Questions

Frequently Asked Questions

Where can I get a form for access to information, which may be held about me on other PSNI Systems?

The DAT1: Application for Access to your Personal Data Held on the Police Service for Northern Ireland Information Systems. Section 2 box C. Form Dat1 

Can I use subject access to get hold of someone else's records?
No. The subject access process is confidential between the individual and the police. We cannot provide you with the details of another person.
Is it possible to speed up applications?

Under the Data Protection Act 1998 your application may take up to 40 days to process from the date recorded on your receipt. In the case of information held about you on the Police National Computer (PNC), your application will be passed to ACPO Criminal Records Office (ACRO), who will access the PNC and post the reply to you.

Due to the volume of applications that they receive, the ACPO Criminal Records Office cannot expedite or prioritise any applications.

Is subject access the same as vetting?
No. Subject access, which is a right to request access to information held about you by organisations, may only provide a copy of some of the information about you held by the police. We may possess other information that is not available under the Subject Access provisions of the Data Protection Act 1998. Vetting will normally access all information held by the police on an individual.
How can I prove my identity?

To help establish your identity your application must be accompanied by copies of two different official documents which between them provide sufficient information to prove your name, date of birth, current address and signature. For example, a combination of driving license, medical card, birth/adoption certificate, passport, utility bill or bank statement.

Can I send you photocopies of my identity documents?
Yes, but we reserve the right to request original documentation in some cases. All original documents will be returned by post.
How do I get my reply sent to an address, which is different to my ‘Home Address’ on the application form?

This can be arranged, providing you enclose a letter of authority signed by yourself, detailing where you want the reply sent and including relevant dates, if appropriate.

How is my application processed?

Once application has been received it will be checked. If you have submitted original identification documents, these will be returned to you. Photocopies of identification documents will not be returned.

If your request is for a Police National Computer Check, the application will then be passed to the ACPO Criminal Records Office, who will post a response to you.

If your request is for information that may be held about you on other PSNI Systems the PSNI Data Protection Office will then process your application - carrying out the appropriate checks and will post the response to you. In all cases this may take up to 40 days from the date received by the Data Protection Office, as required under the Data Protection Act, 1998.

Is the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 applied to the disclosure?
The Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 is not applied to a Subject Access disclosure and therefore all convictions whether spent or unspent under the act will appear on the disclosure.

All Advice and Information

Back to top