COVIDCert Check NI – FAQs
The official COVIDCert Check app is a secure way to verify an individual’s COVID certificate presented on the verifier app
The official COVIDCert Check app is a secure way to verify an individual’s COVID certificate presented on the verifier app
As the Verifier will be available in the Google or Apple app store, it can or might be downloaded by a member of the public. However, in line with the data protection elements detailed above, downloading the app does not present a security risk.
SSL Certificate public key validation failed for API endpoint. All connections to the endpoint have been blocked.
Please try connecting to a different network that is trusted and secure. As fallback request to scan users International Travel Cert.
This error can only occur when scanning an NI Domestic Certificate 2D barcode
The COVIDCert Check NI app cannot retrieve information from the server potentially due to poor internet connection.
Try rescanning the 2D barcode when internet connectivity restored .
As fallback request to scan users International Travel Cert.
The official HSC COVIDCert Check NI app is a secure way to verify an individual’s HSC COVIDCert and check that they have been fully vaccinated against COVID-19.
A user can use the app to scan and verify an individual’s HSC COVIDCert for entry to venues and events in Northern Ireland.
The app can be used to scan a 2D barcode and display the data held within an individual’s HSC COVIDCert. It does not store or transmit any personal data during this process.
This user guide helps venue stewards to use the HSC COVIDCert Check NI app to show if an Northern Ireland citizen is eligible to enter a venue by scanning their COVIDCert 2D barcode.
The Cert Check NI app can be used to scan the 2D barcode displayed on your customer’s phone or printed as a PDF.
The official HSC COVIDCert Check NI Verifier app is a secure way to verify an individual’s COVID certificate and check that they have been fully vaccinated against COVID-19.
A user can use the app to scan and verify an individual’s COVID Certificate for international travel.
The app can be used to scan a 2D barcode and display the data held within an individual’s COVID travel Certificate. It does not store or transmit any personal data during this process.
The protection of user privacy is central to the Cert Check NI. Its purpose is to display COVID status information in a clear and readable manner upon each scan.
The Cert Check app does not retain people’s personal data. It only gathers metric-related information about the application itself, in order that the performance of the app can be monitored.
The collected metric data cannot be referenced back to any individual COVIDCert NI user.
The COVIDCert Check NI reads 2D barcodes that store personal data and allows the verifier to read and display this information. However, this information gathered from the 2D barcode is never stored or transmitted on the COVIDCert Check NI application.
App permissions are used to securely store keys that are used to verify a 2D barcode has been signed by a trusted authority. These permissions are not used to store any data related to the user or app usage. The storage used does not hold any personal data.
The COVID certificate can be accessed via the COVIDCert NI App
International travellers are encouraged to download and register for the COVIDCert NI App in advance of booking their travel.
International travellers should continue to follow the entry requirements of the country they are travelling to, such as proof of a negative COVID-19 test on arrival. They are recommended to research the requirements of their destination country before travelling.
See the GOV.UK advice about travelling abroad from NI during the pandemic.
The app can be used to scan a 2D barcode within the Cert Check NI app. It does not store or transmit any personal data during this process.
Event or venue organisations in Northern Ireland can download the free Cert Check NI app from the Apple or Google app stores.
The COVIDCert Check app can scan the HSC COVID certificate via a mobile or tablet or where someone has printed off a PDF version from their phone.
When used for the first time, the consent agreement screen will display. The first time the user applies the Cert Check app, the user is asked to agree on a consent form, by clicking “I have read and agree to the terms and conditions”. The app will not function if user agreement is not obtained.
Click on “Check a 2D barcode”. A two-dimensional (2D) barcode looks like squares or rectangles that contain many small, individual dots.
When opening the camera on your mobile device for the first time, please click “OK” to allow the app to have permission to use the camera. The screenshot below is from an Android phone. A similar screen and permission request will display on an iOS (Apple) phone.
If the Verifier app does not work, please delete the application and reinstall it. You may be required to undertake a software update on your mobile device too.
The internet is only used within the COVIDCert Check application to obtain the keys needed to verify the 2D barcodes that get verified. Once the key has been obtained they are stored for a select amount of time before getting refreshed, to prevent excessive calls and internet usage.
Upon clicking the ‘Scan 2D barcode’ button on the landing screen, the user is asked to ‘Give permission’ to the application to use the camera. If the user denies these permissions, a screen will appear specifying that the permissions are required to proceed to use the verifier. If the user grants these permissions, the app will proceed to the verifier.
When a user downloads the application, they have explicitly given permission for file usage within the application. However, file usage is only used to store keys into secure external storage which then allows the application to verify 2D barcode from trusted authority. The usage permission is not used to store any data related to the users personal or application usage.
No personal data is stored on this application, only keys provided by trusted authorities which are used to verify 2D barcode. This data can be deleted by deleting the application or it will delete automatically after 24 hours.