This page of our website gives further information around the most frequently asked questions we receive, we welcome the opportunity to add further questions and feedback to this section.  If there is anything you would like adding please let us know.

Do we have to be an ARC member to access the ARC Disclosure Service?

No – you do not need to be an ARC member to use our Disclosure Service and there are no registration fees to pay to access our service.

How do I request a Check?

Once you have registered your organisation with the ARC Disclosure Service, we will email details to your organisations nominated contact.  These details will include how to process an application.

The Disclosure Scotland application form April 2025 should be completed fully (it is important to give the applicant’s personal email address), this should then be emailed, together with copies of all ID documents that the applicant has produced to support their application to ARC at Disclosureservice@arcuk.org.uk

The process is then  as follows:

  • ARC will start the online process for the applicant
  • Once we have completed the countersignatory parts of the online application, we will be given an application reference number
  • ARC will reply to your email stating that the application has been started and that the applicant will have 14 days to complete from the date they receive the automated email from Disclosure Scotland
  • The applicant will then receive an automated email from Disclosure Scotland which contains the unique link to their application and will have 14 days from the date of this email to complete their application
  • The applicant will also receive a reminder notification from Disclosure Scotland 9 days before the expiry date, followed by a final reminder 2 days before the expiry
  • If the application is not completed within 14 days, the application will be aborted and another application will need to be made. Please note that the ARC administration fee will be incurred for every application we begin online, even if the application is not completed in time by the applicant or if the application is aborted by Disclosure Scotland
  • ARC will receive an email from Disclosure Scotland stating that the application has been completed by the applicant and Disclosure Scotland is now processing the application
  • When the certificate has been issued, the applicant will receive an email from Disclosure Scotland. The applicant has 14 days to share their certificate with ARC and your organisation. Please note that ARC does not receive any information about the certificate unless the applicant shares the certificate.
  • Applicants can share their disclosure after viewing it by clicking the share option on screen in their account. A step by step guide on how to do this is available as an e-learning course.

To help with the process a copy of the Disclosure Scotland – PVG Online – Applicant Guide Feb 2021 can be downloaded and given to the applicant if required.

Is there a minimum requirement on the number of checks per month?

No – there is no minimum level of checks.  You can process as many or as few checks as you need.  All checks are invoiced to the organisation at the end of each month.  You only pay for the checks you request, no additional fees are payable.

I need to process an application for a transgender or non-binary applicant, how do I do this?

Please refer the applicant to the Disclosure Scotland website where they will be able to access relevant guidance –  https://www.mygov.scot/transgender-disclosure-application

How do I know when Checks are complete?

When Disclosure Scotland have finished processing a check they will send an email to the applicant to advise them that their certificate is available to view via their ScotAccount. Paper certificates are no longer produced. ARC is not notified when a certificate has been issued. The applicant will need to share their certificate with ARC and the organisation that requested the check.

Your applicant will also receive reminder emails from Disclosure Scotland to share their disclosure with ARC and your organisation. They have 14 calendar days to share this.

Applicants can share their disclosure after viewing it by clicking the share option on screen in their account. A step by step guide on how to do this is available as an e-learning course.

If an employee wishes to apply to have a Conviction Removed

If an employee has a spent conviction for an offence that is disclosed according to rules, or for an offence that must be disclosed (and the necessary time from the date of conviction has elapsed), the employee can apply to have it removed from their PVG scheme record if they think it isn’t relevant to the type of regulated work they’re doing. Guidance is available on the mygov.scot website