To be worried about Developed Vetting as spouse

Retired police people ... yes. In my case, a retired Chief Inspector from the CID who had spent his working life interrogating murderers, rapists and robbers. He opened me up like a fish.

I'm surprised they asked for birth parent details. Unless known, they accept you don't know and move on. Never have I heard of them pressing the matter. What an odd one to pick to apply pressure to.

I warned everyone they might be contacted when I did my DV.

They contacted no one.

Others saying they don't interview spouses or partners are wrong, they do but it is situation dependent. You're more likely to be asked to provide information in a written format as proof, financial paperwork is the most likely. If you do get asked to interview, be 100% honest, if you lie, it is more likely to get your OH a fail than being truthful and disclosing.

I was interviewed for a friend's application to the security services (they ultimately decided it wasn't for them). This was very much the impression I got. I was asked about drinking, drug use, sex life, but the interviewer said it was basically because they want to know if people are targets for blackmail eg if someone gambles and keeps that secret from a spouse, that's an issue.

The interviewer himself was very polite but definitely steely. I don't think much would have got past him.

To those who had never heard of DV and eDV and are wondering what it’s all about, like me, this link is useful. Scroll down.

My husband is dv. You need to be honest in the interview, some awkward questions will arise..but be honest about everything

Im dv cleared with the mod addition. It was a nightmare as I'm adopted and they wanted my birth parents details. After a bit of back and forth it was fine

In the nicest way possible, they don't care about you. Truly.

They will be looking to corroborate information that has been provided and check up on obvious big debts/secret second families/addictions. And only then because it makes someone with access to sensitive info very vulnerable to blackmail, which less than ideal for the government.

They already know more than you can imagine. If there’s something of concern, they will find it.

DV cleared for many years as well as other clearances. STRAP and above.

Probably for a boring government job not as a spy. You're not supposed to publicise you have SC or DV as it makes you open to compromise.

My husband has never been interviewed, I do have to provide the financial stuff and details about his family (which is awkward sometimes) but they interview my referees and I had a very long interview the first time. As others have said, honesty is the best policy, they're not necessarily looking for a reason to reject the candidate but trying to find how easily they could be bought or blackmailed.
@Devonshiregal this is what's its for, but there are a lot of unglamorous roles that require access to information that aren't anything to do with spying.

I didn't get interviewed but I did have to supply almost endless information about our family

Yeh please tell us!

My friend was a vetter for GCHQ. He spent his time travelling the length and breadth if the country interviewing applicants' friends and relatives etc. I'm pretty sure he said he didn't interview spouses. He also said that applicants didn't need to be squeaky clean. They just needed to be honest about any possible issues at the start. So yes, he was just looking for inconsistencies.

I have been interviewed for a friend of mine. It was in person and took over an hour (they came to my workplace and did it on my lunch break as i couldnt take the time off), although this was pre covid so it may be different now. As pp have said, all the questions were about my friend (not me). The only thing that came close was a question about whether we had ever been a couple.

It's important to be completely truthful - even if you think it may paint the person being vetted in a bad light. For example, if they have been asked a question that you are also asked, and they have told the truth, but you do not, it will not look good. The interviewer that I had was very good at putting me at ease and was completely fine that some questions I didn't know the answers to.

Just be completely honest. "Does he ever drink too much" :"Yes, occasionally" is an honest and acceptable answer, I've been told. So, there's absolutely nothing to worry about - unless you have an idiot partner telling you to lie for them!

Hi - I wasn’t interviewed as partner, as PP have said. I’m sure you’ll be fine!

What is this for? It seems to be if you have access to top secret stuff? I feel like posting on mumsnet about it isn’t very spy like so what’s it actually about? Am I imagining it to be more glamorous than it is?

DH has eDV and I’ve never been interviewed. They’ve had my bank statements though, and went through my personal bank account transactions with DH. I thought that was strange,

My husband has DV clearance. He has to fill out a massive form every 7 years. He is the only person actually interviewed. He has to give 2 names as references and they are contacted for a chat. The DV does involve going deep into finances etc. You won't be interviewed, though.

Neither of my two partners were interviewed for my dv.
its all pretty much online now anyway. My last dv review didn’t even ask for referees.
they interviewed my friend the first time and were asking her all sorts about the porn I watched whether I’d had affairs- all things that could make you vulnerable to targeting and your integrity.
it totally depends on your situation.
I wouldn’t worry about it though, just be honest if you have to be interviewed 🤷🏻‍♀️

I’ve never been interviewed for my DH’s DV.

I have DV. My 2 referees were interviewed along with my line manager (and obviously me). STBXH wasn't interviewed but as we lived together at the time I had to provide a lot of in depth information about him. It's not as bad as people make out, don't stress.