> Check a UK share code on gov.uk in five steps: what you need, what to enter, what to keep as evidence, and how to do it by API.

Web version: https://checksharecode.co.uk/guides/how-to-check-a-share-code · Last updated: 2026-09-27

# How to check a right to work share code

Short answer

Ask the applicant for their share code and date of birth. Enter both, with your company name, at gov.uk/view-right-to-work. Check the photo is of the person, then save the profile page gov.uk shows you. Do it before they start work.

## What you need

-   The applicant's share code: 9 characters, like AB1CD2EF3. They get it from gov.uk/prove-right-to-work, and it lasts 90 days.
-   Their date of birth.
-   Your company name, which gov.uk records against the check.

## Step by step on gov.uk

1.  1
    
    ### Open the employer check
    
    Go to gov.uk/view-right-to-work. This is the only official place to view a share code.
    
2.  2
    
    ### Enter the share code
    
    Type it exactly as the applicant gave it. Spaces and lower case are fine.
    
3.  3
    
    ### Enter their date of birth
    
    If it does not match the share code, gov.uk will not show a result.
    
4.  4
    
    ### Enter your company name
    
    gov.uk shows it to the applicant as the employer who checked.
    
5.  5
    
    ### Check the photo and save the result
    
    Make sure the photo is of the person who will work for you, in person or on a video call. Then save the profile page gov.uk shows you, as a PDF, as your evidence.
    

## Keep a record

Keep the profile page and the date you checked for as long as the person works for you, and for two years after they leave. If their permission to work has an end date, check again on or before that date. People with indefinite leave or settled status don't need a follow up check.

The Home Office guidance is the authority on all of this: [Employer's guide to right to work checks](https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/right-to-work-checks-employers-guide/employers-guide-to-right-to-work-checks-26-june-2025-accessible).

## Checking a lot of people?

Check Share Code runs these same steps for you from your own software. One API call returns the result, the photo and the PDF.

[Get a free API key](https://checksharecode.co.uk/signup) · [How the API works](https://checksharecode.co.uk/right-to-work-check-api)

This guide is not legal advice. The Home Office guidance is the authority on what counts as a valid check.

## On this page

[What you need](#need) · [Step by step on gov.uk](#steps) · [Keep a record](#record) · [Checking a lot of people?](#api)

## Related

[Right to work check API](https://checksharecode.co.uk/right-to-work-check-api) · [Gig and agency workers from 1 October 2026](https://checksharecode.co.uk/right-to-work-checks-gig-agency-workers)