Questions

About DBS checks

What is a DBS check / police check?

The Disclosure & Barring Service (DBS) carries out criminal record checks across England and Wales, replacing the former Criminal Records Bureau and Independent Safeguarding Authority systems.

Who needs a CRB / DBS check?

Many roles require one by law — the type depends on the position, and it’s also sometimes needed for licence applications (such as alcohol sales) or overseas visa processing. Employers use Standard and Enhanced checks to make safer hiring decisions, including for roles working with children or vulnerable adults.

Who can apply

Who can apply?

Businesses can apply for Basic, Standard and Enhanced checks for themselves and their employees. Individuals can only apply for a Basic level check directly, or self-employed people can apply for an Enhanced DBS check

Can I get a Basic DBS check for myself?

Yes — individuals can apply for a Basic level DBS check. Individuals can also apply for an Enhanced DBS check if they are self employed and need an Enhanced DBS check to carry out their work

Can I apply for an Enhanced DBS check for myself?

Individuals can’t apply for anything other than a Basic level check, unless they are self employed and require an Enhanced DBS check to carry out their work.

If your job requires a Standard DBS check, your employer will need to apply for it.

I need an Enhanced DBS but don’t have an employer — what do I do?

If you’re self-employed, you can ask a fellow contractor, an employee, or someone you’re collaborating with on a project to verify your identity documents for you.

How do I get an Enhanced DBS check if I’m self-employed?

If you’re a contractor and need an Enhanced DBS check to work at a school or hospital, for example, a contractor you work alongside can verify your identity documents for you so that you can apply.

Other examples include self employed tutors, drivers, nannies, childminders, private carers, sports coaches, private therapists, among others.

Documents & identity verification

What documents do I need for a DBS check?

There are three routes, depending on which documents you can provide:

• Route 1: one Group 1 document plus two further documents from Groups 1, 2a or 2b, with at least one showing your current address.
• Route 2 (if Route 1 isn’t possible): one Group 2a document plus two further documents, verified through an external ID validation service — this includes our digital identity verification route, see below.
• Route 3 (where neither is possible): a UK birth certificate, one Group 2a document, and three further documents from Groups 2a or 2b.

Group 1 includes a valid passport (any nationality), a UK photocard driving licence, a UK birth certificate (issued within 12 months of birth), a Biometric Residence Permit, an eVisa, or an Adoption Certificate.

Group 2a includes a non-UK driving licence, a birth certificate issued after the time of birth, a marriage/civil partnership certificate, an HMRC tax letter, an HM Forces ID card, a firearms licence, or an EHIC/GHIC card.

Group 2b includes a mortgage statement, bank or credit card statement, P45/P60, council tax statement, utility bill, benefit statement, or a letter from an educational institution for 16–19 year-olds in exceptional circumstances (validity windows vary from 3 to 12 months depending on the document).

How do I get my documents verified for a Basic DBS check?

Three ways:

• Responsible Person verification: someone meeting the criteria below checks and signs copies of your identity documents.
• Post Office verification: costs around £12.75. Take your original documents to a participating branch, where staff will copy and stamp them.

• Digital identity verification with TrustID — included in the price: verify your identity from your mobile phone, without needing a responsible person or a Post Office visit. See above for which documents qualify.

Who can sign my identity documents for my Basic DBS check?

A Responsible Person must: have personally known you for at least 12 months; not be related to you by birth or marriage; not live at the same address as you; and be a permanent resident of the UK. Recognised professions include accountants, doctors, solicitors, teachers and police officers, among others.

Can I send the documents to you by post?

No — all documents must be received electronically. If you post physical documents to us, we’re sorry but they’ll be rejected and securely destroyed.

Timelines & tracking

How long does a DBS check take?

Basic checks are often back within 6 working hours, though this isn’t guaranteed and can occasionally take longer. Standard checks typically take 1–2 working days, and Enhanced checks generally take 2–5 working days, though delays can occur due to police force backlogs or Home Office processes outside our control.

How long does it take to get my certificate?

Certificate delivery typically ranges from 2–14 days, averaging around 3 days for Basic and 10 days for Enhanced checks. The Disclosure & Barring Service controls the exact timing, and further delays can occur if additional information is requested.

What happens after I have submitted my application?

Your application is thoroughly checked by our professional team of advisers. If there are any errors or omissions, we’ll email you and ask you to correct these before it can proceed.

Can I track my application?

Yes — you can track Employer Standard & Enhanced DBS checks using the official GOV.UK tracking service.

Your certificate

What will the certificate show?

Certificates draw on Police National Computer records, including convictions, cautions, warnings and reprimands. A Basic check shows unspent convictions only; Standard and Enhanced checks can show both spent and unspent convictions, and Enhanced checks may also include relevant local police information and barred list status for roles involving children or vulnerable adults. Whether a conviction counts as “spent” depends on the sentence and the applicant’s age at the time — as a guide, custodial sentences of more than 48 months never become spent; 30–48 months become spent after 7 years (adults) or 42 months (under 18s); 6–30 months after 48 months (adults) or 24 months (under 18s); up to 6 months after 24 months (adults) or 18 months (under 18s); fines after 12–18 months; community orders after 12 months (adults) or 6 months (under 18s); and simple cautions are spent immediately.

Can I use this Enhanced DBS for NHS / care work?

Yes. A DBS certificate issued through us as a registered Umbrella Body carries exactly the same government recognition as one processed through any other legitimate provider, including for NHS and care-sector roles.

Who keeps the certificate?

The certificate belongs to you as the named individual.

Eligibility, cancellations & policies

Can I apply if I currently live outside of the UK?

No, we’re afraid not — you need a current UK address to apply through this service.

Can I cancel the application and get a refund?

This service is classed as a distance contract under the Consumer Contracts (Information, Cancellation and Additional Charges) Regulations 2013. You normally have the right to cancel within 14 days of entering into the contract.

When submitting your application, you have expressly requested that we begin providing our service immediately, before the end of the 14-day cancellation period, by ticking the relevant box on the application form stating that you acknowledge this.

Our service begins as soon as a paid application enters our processing system. The initial application review and validation stage uses a combination of specialist software, together with a manual review where required.

During this stage, the information provided is checked for completeness and consistency, including name and address history, dates of birth, gaps or omissions, common errors and other information relevant to the DBS application requirements. These checks are an integral part of our service and must be undertaken before an application can progress to identity verification and submission to the Disclosure and Barring Service.

If you cancel after requesting that we begin providing the service during the cancellation period, you will be required to pay an amount proportionate to the services that have already been supplied up to the time we receive your cancellation request.

Where the initial application review and validation stage has already been undertaken before cancellation, we currently assess the proportionate value of that stage of our service at up to £20. This is not a cancellation or administration fee; it reflects the value of the application processing, checking and validation services already supplied.

If the service has been fully performed during the 14-day cancellation period following your express request for us to begin the service, your right to cancel will end, provided that you expressly requested that we begin immediately and acknowledged that you would lose your cancellation right once the service had been fully performed. 

Please note that if you haven’t provided us with the required information and documents within 6 months of your application date,  your application will be deleted.

Your consent to proceed (distance contract)

This service is classed as a distance contract under the Consumer Contracts Regulations, and you’re entitled to the 14-day cancellation period described above.

What is your policy on handling certificate information?

Please see our Secure Handling of Information page for full details.

Where can I find the DBS Code of Practice?

You can read it in full on GOV.UK.

How can I contact you?

This service is available to UK residents only. Contact us at support@dbs-online.org.uk.

About us

OFFICIAL GOVERNMENT REGISTERED BODY 30157900009
DBS Support Ltd is a trading name of Llewelyn Enterprises Ltd t/a DBS Support Ltd, registered in England & Wales, No. 08862064.