Volunteer Forms

Volunteers aged 16 and above are vetted through the National Vetting Bureau. 

Volunteers must complete a Republic of Ireland ID Validation form (you can access the form below), along with submitting identity documents. This form must be witnessed (details of witnesses are provided on the form), then uploaded along with copies of the documents that were witnessed (photos will suffice).

Once we have verified these documents, we will forward your application to the National Vetting Bureau (NVB). You will then receive an email from the NVB. Please have your addresses from birth to hand along with your passport number, before clicking on the link within the email. The link stays valid for 30 days.

Note: Please do not complete this form unless you are 16 years old, it will be rejected by the vetting bureau, and you will need to complete it again.

Vetting is valid for 3 years, after this time you will be asked undergo vetting to renew your membership.

Volunteers in Northern Ireland must complete a number of steps, firstly apply for an enhanced disclosure through AccessNI and then complete an ID Validation and AccessNI Invitation form and submit via our Membership system. 

AccessNI 

1. Print out the form named ‘ID Validation Form and AccessNI Invitation’ available below and complete all relevant sections. 
2. Apply for an AccessNI enhanced disclosure through the NI Direct website. 
   1. If you do not already have an NI Direct account, you must create one by visiting Do you have an nidirect account?|nidirect account| nidirect 
   2. Go to Apply online for an enhanced check through a registered body | nidirect select the green button 'Create or log in to an nidirect account or apply for an enhanced check' and log in to your account.
   3. When prompted, enter PIN number 514306 and complete the online application process.
   4. Record the 10-digit number generated on screen on page 2 of the printed ‘ID Validation Form and AccessNI Invitation' form.

Please note that if you do not complete the process within three months, your AccessNI application will expire and you will need to restart the AccessNI application process.

Special Olympics Ireland’s Policy on Handling, Storage and Disposal of AccessNI Disclosure Information and our Policy on Recruitment of Ex-Offenders can be viewed from our website:  Safeguarding | Special Olympics Ireland

3. Complete ID validation with either officials at the club with which you wish to volunteer or contact the Regional Development Officer for Volunteers in Ulster
   1. Select three original documents; one from Group 1 and a further two from any group listed on page 3 of the ‘ID Validation Form and AccessNI Invitation’ form. If this is not possible, then four documents from Group 2a and 2b should be produced.
   2. Arrange to meet one of your club committee officials (Chairperson, Club Safeguarding Officer, or Membership Officer) or a Special Olympics Ireland staff member and they will confirm your identity using these three original documents.
   3. The club committee official/ staff member will complete their section of your printed ‘ID Validation and AccessNI Invitation’ form and stamp the document.

Special Olympics Membership System

1. Complete the ID Validation and AccessNI Invitation form (you can access the form below) – Once completed and witnessed by your Club Chairperson, Club Safeguarding Officer, Club Membership Officer or Special Olympics staff member you will upload this document either when prompted during your applicant membership journey or for existing volunteers by following the instructions in the email you received.  You must include your 10-digit AccessNI Application reference number on this form.

Vetting is valid for 3 years, after this time you will be asked to reapply for an enhanced disclosure from AccessNI.