Digital Identity Hub

Our iIdentity verification services created in partnership with Yoti are now available for UK Right to Work and DBS checks. Further services will be rolled out across additional regions throughout 2023.

Sterling has partnered with Yoti to create a streamlined, seamless identity verification process for candidates through our exclusive, identity-first verification experience that helps reduce time to hire. UK Identity Verification delivers the following unique benefits compared to other Digital Identity Verification companies:

• Identity-first. Our exclusive, upfront, digital identity verification workflow allows a candidate’s identity to be verified first, to strengthen the integrity of background check results.
• Reusable digital identity. Candidates can create a secure, reusable digital identity in the Yoti App when they initially verify their identity, or return at a later point to reclaim their verified data and reuse it as they wish.
• Superior experience. Candidates can select an easy, convenient way to verify identity from anywhere, providing them with complete control over how they verify their ID, either via the web experience or by downloading the Yoti app.
• Faster, more accurate results. Improved accuracy by pre-populating verified identity data into the Candidate Hub will support the rest of the screening and accelerate results.

If a candidate creates a reusable digital identity via the Yoti app, their previously verified information is stored securely for them to share with other entities in the future, saving time when completing transactions and interactions that require verified identity or other information to be provided.

If the candidate provides a valid UK or Irish Passport, an Irish Passport Card, or a share code so that Sterling can check their right to work status online, then the employer does not need to check identity documents. However, they will need to download the share code report in order to obtain a statutory excuse. However, if a candidate provides a birth certificate or a national insurance number document (i.e., a document that cannot be verified online), the employer does need to ensure that the document is checked against current Home Office guidelines.

All employers in the UK have a responsibility to prevent illegal working. The employer needs to ensure they select a certified IDSP to complete digital identity verification to the Level of Confidence required. Employers will obtain a statutory excuse where they can demonstrate that they have used a certified IDSP. Sterling provides all the required information for employers to obtain a statutory excuse for each UK Right to Work check completed.

Yes, if a candidate has any restrictions on their right to work status, including a time limit, this will be reported on the background screening report.

In accordance with this employers guide from the UK Government, the employer will need to store the following employee information securely in electronic or hard copy format for the duration of employment and for two years afterwards:

• Full name
• Date of birth
• Image of the identity document’s biometric page
• Captured photograph/image matching the employee
• Identity verification confirmation
• IDSP name (e.g., Sterling)
• Date of the check

For UK Right to Work checks completed through Yoti, Sterling will provide the following information along with the background screening report:

• Images of the identity document’s
• The live in-session selfie image
• The date of the check
• Level of confidence achieved, e.g. medium or high

• Who verified the identity

  If the employee provides a share code, Sterling will check the right to work status using the Home Office online service and will share a copy of the profile page along with the background screening report. The profile page will include:

• Employee’s name
• Employee’s right to work status
• Restrictions (where appliable)
• A photograph of the employee
• The date the check was conducted

The Digital Identity Verification for DBS applications will remove the need for employers to check ID, simplify the process and decrease turnaround times.

The Home Office advises that the employer must satisfy themselves that the photograph and biographic details (for example, date of birth) verified via the digital identity check are consistent with the individual presenting themselves for work. However, it is up to the employer to decide whether to do this check in person or virtually/online.

Sterling does not typically charge candidates for our background screening or identity services. In instances where payment is required from candidates for a service, candidates will be made aware up front before commencing the background screening check.