London 2012 accreditation

Everyone, whether a participant or official, paid or unpaid, who had access to non-public areas of Olympic and Paralympic venues in summer 2012 needed to be accredited by the London Organising Committee of the Olympic and Paralympic Games (LOCOG).

What was accreditation?

This was a requirement of the International Olympic Committee and International Paralympic Committee set out in the Host City Contract and is a feature of every Olympic and Paralympic Games.

As part of the accreditation process, applicants underwent a background check undertaken by the Home Office on behalf of LOCOG.  All Olympic and Paralympic torch relay participants were also background checked via the Home Office process established for accreditation. 

As agreed with LOCOG, the Home Office, in cooperation with other government partners, conducted immigration, criminal record and security checks to determine each applicant's suitability for accreditation.

This rigorous process was designed to ensure those working at the Games were fit to do so and was part of a range of measures put in place to ensure the security of the Games.

A set of criteria, which are linked to below, were established to enable initial consideration of each case. Routine cases were processed by the Olympic Clearing House, which was operated by the United Kingdom Border Agency.

Complex and sensitive cases were referred for decision to the Olympic Accreditation Decision Board - a cross Departmental group of senior officials including representation from LOCOG - which dealt with them on an individual basis, seeking ministerial clearance as appropriate.

Read the guiding criteria and thresholds for accreditation. 

What happened if you were refused accreditation?

If you were refused accreditation, you can apply to check that the information held on you is accurate by following the process below.

Find out more about what kind of data can be held about you from the Information commissioner: http://www.ico.gov.uk

Tel: 0303 123 1113 (Monday to Friday, 9.00 am to 5.00 pm)

Making a request to view data held about you

To make a request to see the data held about you, follow these three steps:

1. Supply proof of identity. Send photocopies of two official documents that between them clearly show your name, current postal address, date of birth and signature. For example, photocopies of your:

• birth certificate
• driving licence
• passport
• medical card
• bank statement
• utility bill
• rent agreement

It will speed up your application if one of your two documents is a photographic identity document, for example, your passport or driving licence. Please do not send original documents as they won’t be returned.

2. Include the fee. You can pay the £10 sterling fee by UK cheque, UK postal order or banker's draft made payable to the Home Office. Do not send cash.

3. Send in your application. The £10 fee and proof of identity should be sent to:
2012 Games Accreditation Background Check
Home Office
2 Marsham Street
London SW1P 4LN

You'll receive a letter sent to your current postal address within 40 days.