Garda Vetting

Applications for Vetting are now submitted electronically in a process known as e-Vetting.  The National Vetting Bureau (NVB) is no longer accepting paper applications.

Please find below the relevant forms, downloads and an outline of how the e-Vetting process works.  For all related queries please contact: Mary Nicholson, Office for Safeguarding, St. Mary’s, Temple Street, Sligo, 071-9150106

FORMS & DOWNLOADS

For Guidelines on completing Vetting Invitation form – please scroll down

1E Vetting Invitation Form (NVB 1) – Western Province Vetting Services 

Identity Document Schedule_August 2025

Validation of Identity and Consent in accordance with the National Vetting Bureau 2025

Safeguarding Children and Vulnerable Adult Western Province Additional Guidance on Vetting

Parent/Guardian Consent FormNVB3

Guidelines for completing Vetting Invitation Form (NVB 1)

Please read the following guidelines before completing this form.

 Miscellaneous

• The Form must be completed in full using BLOCK CAPITALS and writing must be clear and legible.
• The applicant’s signature must be a wet ink signature.
• Photocopies will not be accepted.
• All applicants will be required to provide documents to validate their identity.
• If the applicant is under 18 years of age, a completed NVB 3 – Parent\Guardian Consent Form will be required. Please note that where the applicant is under 18 years of age the electronic correspondence will issue to the Parent\Guardian. This being the case, the applicant must provide their Parent\Guardian Email address on the NVB 1 form.

Personal Details

• Insert details for each field, allowing one block letter per box.
• For Date of Birth field, allow one digit per box.
• Please fill in your Email Address, allowing one character/symbol per box. This is required as the invitation to the e-vetting website will be sent to this address.
• Please allow one digit per box for your contact number.
• The Current Address means the address you are now living at.
• The address fields should be completed in full, including Eircode/Postcode. No abbrevia

Role Being Vetted For

• The role being applied for must be clearly stated. Generic terms such as “Volunteer” will not suffice.

Declaration of Application

• The applicant must confirm their understanding and acceptance of the two statements by signing the application form at Section 2 and ticking the box provided.
• An invitation to the e-vetting website will then be sent to your Email address from [email protected]
• The Identity Document Validation Form section of this form must be completed by the person validating your identity and proof of address documents from the organisation listed in the Identity Document Schedule above

HOW THIS PROCESS WORKS :

The completed Vetting Invitation Form (NVB 1) should then be posted to the Western Province Vetting Office as per address on top of the Form.

• The Applicant will then receive an email directly from the National Vetting Bureau (NVB) which will give him/her access to their on-line Vetting Application Form (NVB 2).
• If they do not complete this form within 30 days the form will become inactive and they will have to reapply.
• Once the Vetting Application is processed by the NVB, the Contact Person (Validator) named on the Vetting Invitation Form (NVB 1) will receive a hard copy of the Vetting Disclosure along with a cover letter from the Western Province Vetting Service.
• The Applicant is entitled to a copy of this if they request it.

Please note the on-line Vetting Application Form (NVB 2) is only issued to the Applicant.  The organisation (Diocese/Parish/School/Diocesan Agency) does not have access to this form.

Email
The applicant must provide a valid email address.  If the applicant does not have their own email address, they can provide any email that they are happy for their form to be sent to.  This can be the email of a friend or family member or one can be provided for them by the organisation requesting the vetting.

If the applicant does not have access to an electronic device, one should be provided for them for the purpose of completing their application.

Proof of Identity
At least two forms of identification must be produced to validate the identity of the applicant when completing the Vetting Invitation Form (NVB 1).   Please see Identity Document Schedule. The identity is verified locally (that is, by the diocese, parish, school or diocesan agency).All proof of Identity documents must be seen in person and verified prior to the application being entered on the GNVB portal. Photocopies of the applicant’s proof of identity should be retained locally in line with data protection and our record keeping policy. Applicant’s proof of identity should not be sent to the Western Province Vetting Office.

Relevant Work
It is now against the law to commence ‘relevant work’, that is, work that involves necessary and regular contact with children or vulnerable persons without first being vetted.  Please provide a full description of the role being applied for on the Vetting Invitation Form (NVB 1).  It is not sufficient to state ‘volunteer’.  The role must be specified, such as, ‘Eucharistic Minister’ or ‘Leader of Children’s Choir’.  If the applicant carries out multiple roles, he/she should state the one that involves most contact with children or vulnerable adults. Please see Safeguarding Children and Vulnerable Adults Western Province Additional Guidance on Vetting For information on who needs to apply for vetting .

Minors
The legislation is directed at applicants aged 18 years or over at date of signing the form.  Applications can be made for those aged 16 and 17 years of age.  The decision to vet 16- and 17-year-olds is a policy decision for the organisation in question, and this is not a legal requirement.
Where an application is being made for a 16/17-year-old the consent of the parent/guardian must also be obtained. This is done by asking them to fill up the form Parent/Guardian Consent Form NVB3, see above.  In addition, the email address and telephone number provided on the e-Vetting invitation form is the email address and telephone number of the parent/guardian (not the young person).

Proof of identity must also be obtained for the parent/guardian and the young person.

Re-Vetting
The legislation does not state how often a person should be re-vetted.  The NVB recommend anywhere from 1-5 years depending on the nature of the work. The dioceses of the Western Metropolitan Area: Achonry, Clonfert, Elphin, Galway and Tuam, have a 3 Year re-vetting policy.