Do Overseas Teachers Need Police Clearance Checks?
Teachers and other school staff who have lived or worked outside the UK may be subject to additional safeguarding checks so that relevant events outside the UK can be considered. In England, current Department for Education guidance says schools should follow the statutory safer-recruitment requirements and make any further checks they consider appropriate for people who have lived or worked overseas.
An overseas police certificate or criminal-record check can be one source of evidence. This is separate from the UK Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check: an overseas certificate does not replace the appropriate DBS check required for the role.
When Might a Translation Be Needed?
Overseas criminal-record documents are issued under the rules of the country concerned and may be in that country’s language. If a school, employer, regulator or other organisation needs to assess a foreign-language certificate, it may ask for an English translation. The exact requirement should be confirmed with the organisation requesting the evidence.
Do not assume that the translation is being submitted “to DBS”. DBS checks and overseas criminal-record evidence are different parts of the wider safeguarding process.
What Should Be Translated?
- the full text of the police or criminal-record certificate;
- names, dates, reference numbers and issuing authority details;
- conviction or no-record wording;
- official stamps, seals and annotations where relevant; and
- reverse-side text or attached pages that form part of the certificate.
For a dedicated service, see our police clearance certificate translation page. If the receiving organisation specifically asks for certification, see our certified translation service.
Other Checks for Teachers Recruited from Overseas
Current guidance for recruiting teachers from overseas also refers to professional-standing evidence, such as information from the authority that regulates teachers in the country where the applicant qualified. Schools should assess the appropriate checks on a case-by-case basis alongside the statutory safeguarding checks.
The requirements can differ across England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, and employers may have their own document procedures. Applicants should follow the instructions from the relevant employer, school, regulator or training provider.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does an overseas police certificate replace a DBS check?
No. For relevant school roles, overseas checks are additional evidence and do not replace the appropriate DBS check.
Does every overseas teacher need the same police document?
No. The available criminal-record evidence and application process vary by country, and the school or employer should decide which additional checks are appropriate.
Does a foreign police certificate always need certified translation?
Not automatically. Confirm the format required by the school, employer or other organisation receiving the certificate.
Sources and Review
Last reviewed: 17 September 2026. Primary sources checked: GOV.UK — Recruit teachers from overseas, Keeping children safe in education 2026, and Home Office — criminal records checks for overseas applicants.
