Background Checks
No, we are only able to accept a DBS that has been applied for through our partner service and countersigned by AmeriCamp. We have all of our applicants go through the exact same process to ensure they have the correct Enhanced DBS required for the program, to avoid falsified records and to ensure standardisation across the board.
When a DBS is processed through our partner service, we get a digital copy of the DBS as well as the physical certificate that is sent out to the applicant, so we have complete assurance that everyone has a clear criminal history, to ensure the safety of the campers who attend our Camps.
No, you must apply for a new DBS every year of participation to ensure a continuous clear record. This must also be applied for through our partner service and countersigned by AmeriCamp.
Our DBS fee is £85, which is inclusive of the enhanced DBS check required for the program as well as a digital verification fee that allows you to complete your check from the comfort of your home.
To apply for the DBS required for our program, you will pay the DBS fee on your Intellibook Payment portal. Following this you will be sent a link to join the Know Your People service and complete a quick and easy online DBS check.
You are not required to go to a post office or our office to have your documents verified, as you can verify these using the camera on your phone. If for any reason your digital verification is not successful, you will be required to send images of your verification documents to a member of the AmeriCamp team via email.
When your check is complete you will receive a physical DBS certificate in the mail and must upload an image of this to your Matchio Portal, under Background Check.
You can apply for your DBS from September 1st of the year prior to travel. To ensure you receive your DBS in time for departure to Camp, we advise you to complete this check as early as possible. Our recommendation is to pay for and complete the check following a successful AmeriCamp interview.
The online DBS check itself will only take a matter of minutes, but processing following this usually takes between 2 - 4 weeks. You will not be sent your physical certificate immediately and should allow a minimum of 2 weeks to receive this.
On some occasions the processing will be longer, taking up to 12 weeks, so we encourage all applicants to apply for this as early as possible to avoid delays.
If your digital verification fails it is likely for one of the following reasons:
- The current address you input does not match your verification documents e.g. you input your town name or house number twice.
- You input the wrong Date of Registration when selecting your Birth Certificate as a verification document.
- You input your Driving License number incorrectly when selecting this as a verification document.
In this event, you may be charged an additional admin fee for manual verification of documents by the AmeriCamp team. You will receive an email from us requesting images of your three verification documents and you should reply via email to provide these so we can verify your identity and personal information.
Once the DBS is in the processing phase it is out of our hands and being handled by your local police force. If the application is in processing for over 60 days it will be automatically escalated for priority by the DBS service but this does not guarantee completion within a certain time frame.
No, if you are an applicant based in Ireland you cannot apply for a DBS. You will be required to apply for a Garda Vetting Police Certificate.
DBS Background Check fee becomes non-refundable at the point of submission of your application to our designated DBS partner. DBS Background Check fee is only refundable if:
- Your information has not yet been submitted to our DBS partner
- You mistakenly pay for the DBS as a non-UK resident who cannot apply for a Background check through our designated partner