Vetting explained and our vetting charter
An overview of what the vetting process involves and your responsibilities when you apply for and hold security clearance.
Documents
Details
These documents outline our commitment to applicants and holders of a UK security clearance and what we expect from them. Useful guidance for vetting applicants and sponsors can also be found on this page.
Further guidance for vetting applicants and sponsors, including common errors to avoid, can also be found in these videos. More information is also available on our Demystifying Vetting page
Advice for new applicants
Advice for vetting sponsors
Last updated
-
Guidance added for Trans community on applying for national security clearance
-
Guidance added for line managers on supporting colleagues applying for national security vetting.
-
Links added to guidance videos for vetting sponsors and applicants
-
Guidance for applicants and sponsors has been added.
-
First published.
Update history
2025-10-31 13:44
This guidance has been updated to include a code of conduct for applicants and sponsors.
2025-02-10 13:58
This guidance has been updated as part of UK Security Vetting’s ongoing review of all our gov.uk content, in consultation with subject matter experts and relevant stakeholders, to ensure that it accurately represents current vetting policy, processes and terminology.
2024-11-14 14:35
This guidance, including the Vetting Charter, has been updated as part of UK Security Vetting’s ongoing review of all our gov.uk content, in consultation with subject matter experts and relevant stakeholders, to ensure that it accurately represents current vetting policy, processes and terminology. The attachments Guidance For Applicants and Guidance for Sponsors have been removed from this page as they contained out of date links. Please refer to United Kingdom Security Vetting: Applicant –
2024-02-20 12:38
Guidance added to support national security vetting applicants who are experiencing menopause.
2023-07-12 11:05
Guidance added for Trans community on applying for national security clearance
2023-03-22 12:29
Guidance added for line managers on supporting colleagues applying for national security vetting.
2022-11-25 13:16
Links added to guidance videos for vetting sponsors and applicants
2022-09-01 20:41
Guidance for applicants and sponsors has been added.