Some people can find out about their convictions from the court in which they were convicted. They can obtain a certificate of conviction from the magistrates' court or Crown Court by applying to the court clerk. They need to give their name, the date of conviction and the reason why they want the information. In some courts there may be a charge for this. The court will keep records for at least five years, after which they will probably be archived by the local Public Records Office.
Individuals can also find out about their convictions entered on police computer.
They do not have a right to see information recorded by the police on paper or microfiche, although the Government is proposing to change this. Where convictions are held on computer, people can obtain details about them under the Data Protection Act 1984. They do this by filling in a 'subject access' application form, which is available from the police. Checks will be made on Phoenix, which is part of the police national computer. Some very minor offences will also be recorded where they accompany a serious offence.