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SIA Licence Documents

Applying For an SIA Licence: Documents Checklist

Ensure you have the correct documents required for your SIA licence application. Find
out what you need for a smooth and successful process.

Man Holding SIA Licence Card with Required Documents in Background

What Documents Are Required For SIA Training & Licensing?

As part of the application process, you must provide documents to verify your identity. You must submit:
1 document from Group A & 2 documents from Group B

Group A Documents
(ID & Right to Work)

A valid, signed passport

A DVLA-issued UK driving licence photocard

A DVA-issued Northern Ireland driving licence photocard with its paper counterpart

A UK adoption certificate

An original UK birth certificate issued within 12 months of birth


Group B Documents
(Proof of Address)

Each document submitted in this category must display your existing (current)
address. Please note that you cannot submit two of the same document type,
as they will not be accepted.

Accepted Documents:

Bank or building society statement (issued within the last 3 months)

Two statements are allowed, but they must be from different financial institutions

Credit card statement (issued within the last 3 months)

Two statements are allowed, but they must be from different credit card providers

Utility bill (issued within the last 3 months)

These include electricity, water, landline telephone, gas, satellite TV, or cable TV bills are accepted; mobile phone bills are not accepted

Mortgage statement (issued within the last 12 months)

Official letter (issued within the last 3 months) from one of the following:

Local authority HM Revenue and Customs Jobcentre Plus or another employment service Department of Work and Pensions

Pension, endowment, or ISA statement (issued within the last 12 months)

Council tax statement (issued within the last 12 months)

P45 or P60 tax statement (issued within the last 12 months)

Driving licence photocard issued by the DVA in Northern Ireland

Current UK driving licence (paper version)

Valid UK firearms licence with a photograph

Documents That Will Not Be Accepted:

✖ Photocopies or printed versions of online documents (e.g., self-printed bank statements)

✖ Bank or building society statements printed in a branch, even if stamped and dated by staff

✖ Digital files or images downloaded from the internet and submitted electronically

Make sure all documents are original and up to date to avoid any delays in your application.

SIA Security Licence Renewal Tips

Additional Verification Steps

Depending on your application details,
you may need to:

Visit a Post Office

Submit the original physical
documents via post

Show Documents

Show the original documents to
your employer

Upload Copies

Submit copies of the original
documents online

Non-English Documents

You must submit:

  • The original document
  • An official English translation

You are responsible for arranging and covering the cost of translation.

Accepted Translation Providers

The SIA only accept translations from:

  • Embassies, high commissions, or consulates
  • Accredited translators with qualified or corporate membership from the Institute of Translation and Interpreting (ITI)
  • Translators who are fellows (FCIL) or members (MCIL) of the Chartered Institute of Linguists (CIOL)
  • Translation companies accredited by the Association of Translation Companies (ATC) with full or overseas membership

Photograph Requirements for Your SIA Licence

As part of your SIA licence application, you must provide a passport-style photograph for identity
verification. This is required for front-line licence applications and security checks.

How Your Photo Will Be Taken

  • If you are required to present your identity documents at a UK Post Office
    or to your employer, they will take the photo for you.
  • In some cases, you may need to submit the photo yourself.
SIA licence photo comparison showing incorrect and correct examples - explaining photo requirements for SIA licence application

Photo Requirements

If you are asked to provide your own photo, it must meet the following criteria:

  • The photo must be a full-colour image (not black and white)
  • The photo must have a cream or plain white background
  • The photo must be clear
  • The photo must bear a true likeness of you
  • The photo must be a close-up that includes your head and upper shoulders
  • The photo must not be altered in any way using digital software

Submitting Your Identity Documents

In most cases, you will be asked to submit your documents via post after submitting your
application through your SIA online account.

Step-By-Step Guide to Submitting SIA Licence Documents

1
Gather the required
ID and proof of
address
2
Ensure documents
are valid and match
your details
3
Submit your application
and receive an
appointment email
4
Attend the ID verification
appointment and submit
your documents

Ensure Compliance With
SIA Standards

Visit the official website and review the complete SIA document guidelines to avoid any errors.

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Not sure where to start?
We'll clear it up!

You need to submit documents to prove your identity and right to work in the UK. This is required for SIA licence eligibility and helps avoid delays or rejection.

You’ll need one Group A ID (e.g. passport or driving licence) and two Group B address proofs (e.g. utility bill or bank statement) for your SIA licence. Non-UK citizens must also show the right to work, and front-line applicants need a passport-style photo.

Double-check your documents before submission to prevent delays. Make sure there aren’t any invalid or incorrect documents or blurry images. Also, make sure to check that your address is the same in all your documents.

You can use other identity documents from the Group A category, like a UK birth certificate (issued within 12 months of birth) or a residence permit.

No, all identification documents that you submit must be valid at the time of your application.

You’ll need to provide a marriage certificate, deed poll, or other official name change documents.

You’ll receive an email from the SIA explaining what needs to be corrected or resubmitted.

The SIA accepts several types of identity documents under Group A, including a valid, signed passport, a UK photocard driving licence, and a UK birth certificate.

The application fee for an SIA licence is £184. This fee applies to all types of SIA licences, including those for door supervisors, security guards, and CCTV operators. The payment is non-refundable, even if your application is unsuccessful.

To obtain an SIA licence, you must complete an SIA-approved course for your role and hold a valid Emergency First Aid at Work (EFAW) certificate. For example, those applying for a Door Supervisor licence must complete SIA Door Supervisor training alongside first aid training.

An SIA licence usually takes 10–15 working days to process after submission, but delays can occur if documents are missing or need extra checks. Make sure everything is correct to avoid setbacks.

Getting an SIA licence is easy if you meet the requirements, complete the necessary training, and submit accurate documents. Delays usually happen due to missing information or failed checks.
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