The Home Office does not conduct independent automated background checks on retired or resident referees. Instead, verification relies on a combination of methods. Referees must provide documentary evidence of their professional background—such as employment letters, tax records, or pension documentation—and submit identity verification (typically via passport). The Home Office cross-references certain professions against official registers maintained by regulatory bodies like the General Medical Council or Law Society. For professions without formal registers, the Home Office may contact the referee directly to confirm their standing and relationship to the applicant. The applicant bears the primary responsibility for ensuring their referee meets all criteria and can substantiate their professional credentials. Providing false information on referee forms constitutes a criminal offense, which serves as a deterrent to misrepresentation.