Criminal records checks

The following is provided for general information purposes only. Happy Schools encourages applicants to contact law enforcement and/or consular officials directly for official information and advice. Happy Schools registration only requires name and date of birth police checks for processing. Fingerprint criminal records are not universally available and therefor not required.

Vulnerable Sector Query

By applying for registration with Happy Schools you are applying to work with with children. When requesting your criminal history, please notify the processing law enforcement agency of your intention to work with children and your need for additional clearance vis-a-vie a vunerable sector query or equivelant. This additional search ensures that applicants for registration do not have expunged, sealed or spent convictions involving sex crimes and/or children.

Please note: Vunerable sector queries may not be available to all applicants for registration. In dealing with numerous law enforcement agencies in a variety of countries, processing rules and regulations invariably vary. Applicants unable to obtain vunerable sector queries will not be excluded from registering with Happy Schools. Evidence of a vunerable sector query is requested, not required.

Canada Canada

Canadians should make inquiries at their nearest municipal, provincial or RCMP police detachment. Please request the following two documents:

Both checks are based on name and date of birth, not fingerprints. Applicants to the Happy Schools program who fail provide confirmation of the second check (pardoned sexual offences) may have their registration qualified as "probationary" or rejected outright.

Australia Australia

Applicants in Australia can apply at their local police station in the State or Territory where they are currently residing by applying for a National Police Certificate (Name Check Only). Prices vary from state to state.

Applicants outside of Australia can request forms to apply for a National Fingerprint and Name Check police certificate from the following address:

Key websites and document downloads:

Queensland: http://www.kamya.com/misc/queensland.gif
Northern Territory: http://www.kamya.com/misc/northterr.gif
South Australia: http://www.kamya.com/misc/southaustralia.gif
Victoria: http://www.kamya.com/misc/victoria_b.gif

United Kingdom United Kingdom

You are legally entitled under Section 21 of the Data Protection Act (1998) to access information about yourself. You should request a Person Record: Prosecution/Criminal History from your local police station.

Important: If you are a resident or former resident of Scotland, ask your local police station for a Scottish Criminal Record Office subject access request. A Scottish Police Clearance constitutes a Clearance for Scotland only, unless the clearance states that the "Police national computer" has been accessed.

Key website and contact information for teachers from Scotland:

Key website and contact information for teachers from England and Wales:

Key website and contact information for teachers from Northern Ireland:

Happy Schools encourages applicants for registration to apply for Standard (or equivalent) records disclosures. These include clearance for working with society's vulnerables, in this case children. Applicants who submit Basic records checks which do not include searches of spent convictions may have their registration qualified as "probationary" or rejected outright.

Ireland Ireland

Residents should apply at their local Garda Siochana (Police) Authority. Non-residents should address a written request for a certificate to:

Applicants should provide: 1) full name, date and place of birth, dates and addresses during residence in Ireland; 2) if applicable, the names, dates and address of parents during residence in Ireland and; 3) copy of their birth certificate.