Holding a Security Industry Authority (SIA) licence is not a one-and-done process. Once that card arrives in the post, you take on a set of ongoing legal responsibilities — and one of the most important is keeping your personal details accurate and up to date.
It sounds straightforward, but many licence holders are caught out by the strict deadlines involved. Miss them, and you could be looking at a written warning, a suspended licence, or even a criminal prosecution. This guide covers everything you need to know: what to report, when to report it, and how to do it through your SIA online account.
What Details Must You Report to the SIA?
The SIA needs accurate information so they can contact you about your licence and confirm that you remain a fit and proper person to work in the private security industry. Under the official SIA licence conditions, you are legally required to inform them whenever any of the following changes occur :
- A change to your residential address
- A change to your name (through marriage, divorce, or deed poll)
- Any new conviction, caution, warning, or charge for a relevant offence — whether committed in the UK or abroad
- Any open investigation by a public or professional body into a relevant offence or misconduct
- Any change to your right to remain or work in the UK
- If your licence card is lost or stolen
These are not optional disclosures. They are conditions of your licence, and failing to comply is a criminal offence under Section 9 of the Private Security Industry Act 2001.
The Deadlines You Cannot Miss
The SIA operates on tight reporting windows, and the clock starts ticking the moment the change occurs. There are two separate deadlines depending on the type of change.
Changes You Must Report Within 2 Days
The following must be reported to the SIA within two days :
- Any conviction, caution, warning, or charge for a relevant offence (UK or overseas)
- Any open public or professional body investigation into relevant offences or misconduct
- If your licence has been lost or stolen
- Any change to your right to remain or work in the UK
If you are unable to report within two days because you are in police custody or held on remand, you must inform the SIA as soon as you are able to and explain the reason for the delay.
Changes You Must Report Within 7 Days
You have a slightly longer window — seven days — for the following :
- A change to your name
- A change to your residential address
Seven days pass quickly. Do not leave it until the last minute.
How to Update Your Details on Your SIA Badge
All updates are made through your SIA online account, which is the official and fastest route for reporting any changes. Here is how to handle the most common scenarios.
How to Change Your Address on Your SIA Licence
If you need to change your address on your SIA licence, log in to your SIA online account and update your residential address directly. The SIA uses this address for all official correspondence, including sending your licence card when you renew. An outdated address means you could miss critical communications about your licence status — which is exactly the kind of oversight that leads to problems.
How to Change Your Name on Your SIA Licence
A name change requires supporting documentation. You will need to upload evidence such as a marriage certificate, decree absolute, or a deed poll document. The SIA will update their records once the documentation has been verified.
How to Report a Lost or Stolen SIA Licence
If your physical licence card is lost or stolen, you must report it to both the police and the SIA within two days . If it was stolen, get a crime reference number from the police before logging the report with the SIA through your online account. You can then request a replacement card. Bear in mind that a replacement card is issued with a new licence number, so your employer will need to be informed.
How to Update Your Photo on Your SIA Licence
A common question is how to change your picture on your SIA licence online — and the short answer is that you cannot do it independently of a licence application. Your photo is captured during the identity verification stage of your original application and printed on your physical card. The SIA only updates it when you apply for a new licence or renew an existing one. If your appearance has changed significantly and you are concerned your card is no longer a true likeness, contact the SIA through your online account for guidance.
How to Check Your SIA Licence Status
Once you have updated your details, the next step is to check your SIA licence status to confirm everything is correctly reflected on the public register. The register is the official record of all active, suspended, and expired licences — and it is what employers, venues, and the police use to verify your credentials.
You can check any licence (including your own) via the SIA licence checker on the Get Licensed website. It takes seconds and gives you instant confirmation of your licence status, expiry date, and the activities you are licensed to carry out. If you notice a discrepancy between your online account and the public register, contact the SIA directly through your account to get it resolved.
For a full walkthrough of how to read and verify an SIA licence card, including what each field means, see our guide on how to read and verify SIA licence cards.
What Happens If Your SIA Licence Expires?
Keeping your details current is important, but it is not the only admin task that can catch licence holders off guard. Your SIA licence is valid for three years, and if it expires — even by a single day — you are no longer legally permitted to work in a licensable role. There is no grace period.
If your licence has already expired, you will need to go through the full renewal process, which includes completing the required refresher training before you can reapply. The sooner you act, the sooner you can get back to work. For a full breakdown of what happens and what your options are, read our article on what happens if your SIA licence expires.
What Happens If You Do Not Report Changes?
The consequences for ignoring these obligations are serious. The SIA may issue a written warning (which remains on your record and can affect future licensing decisions), suspend your licence, revoke it entirely, or prosecute you under Section 9 of the Private Security Industry Act 2001.
For a deeper look at what a suspension actually means for your livelihood and career, read our guide on working with a suspended SIA licence.
Keeping your details current is also one of the core obligations covered in our full breakdown of the conditions of your SIA licence — worth reading if you want a complete picture of what the SIA expects from you as a licence holder.
Keep Your Licence — and Your Career — on Track
Updating your details is one of those things that takes five minutes but can cost you everything if you ignore it. A missed address change or an unreported caution might seem minor, but to the SIA, it is a breach of your licence conditions — and the consequences are real.
If your licence is due for renewal, or you are just starting out and want to understand the full picture before you apply, take a look at our complete SIA licence guide. It covers every stage, from eligibility and training to application and renewal, in one place.
And if you’re ready to get a new SIA licence, book a training course today.
