How much does it cost?

Main outlays are: Basic DBS — £21.50; Standard DBS — £21.50; Enhanced DBS — £49.50; Update Service annual fee — £16/year (free for volunteers). Court fees often qualify for Help with Fees remission if you're on a low income. Solicitor fees are extra and vary widely — many matters can be done as a litigant in person.

Where can I find the official forms and guidance?

The official sources are: DBS checks — gov.uk; Update Service; Disclosure Scotland; AccessNI. Always use the forms / guidance from the issuing authority's own site — third-party copies can be out of date.

Can I do this myself without a solicitor?

Yes — many people complete this kind of matter as a litigant in person. The site walks through each step in plain English. A solicitor is recommended if: large sums are at stake, the other side has legal representation, the matter involves criminal liability, children, immigration, or you're unsure on any procedural deadline. Free advice is available from Citizens Advice, Law Centres, and (for some matters) LawWorks pro bono clinics.

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Employment / Safeguarding

6 steps

Updated 2026-05-22

England & Wales

DBS checks (UK)

How DBS checks work in England and Wales — Basic, Standard, Enhanced, and Enhanced with Barred List checks, who needs them, and what shows up.

Quick answer

A Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check is a criminal-record check for employment. There are four levels: Basic (anyone — shows unspent convictions), Standard (regulated roles — shows spent + unspent), Enhanced (work with children/vulnerable adults — adds police-held information), and Enhanced with Barred List (work that involves being on the Children's or Adults' Barred List). You apply through your employer (Standard/Enhanced) or directly via gov.uk (Basic). The certificate is sent to you; your employer sees the result via the Update Service if you subscribe.

This page mainly applies to England and Wales. Scotland and Northern Ireland may have different rules — check the jurisdiction before relying on this information.

Overview

DBS checks (formerly CRB checks) provide criminal-record information to employers under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 and the Police Act 1997. Different levels apply to different roles. Scotland uses Disclosure Scotland; Northern Ireland uses AccessNI. The DBS system has tightened in recent years — the 2019 reforms reduced what gets disclosed, particularly for spent youth offences and certain old offences (R (P) v SSHD).

Who Can Use This Process

Basic: anyone over 16 can apply (most commonly for jobs that don't qualify for Standard/Enhanced)
Standard: specific roles defined by statute (e.g. solicitors, accountants, security workers)
Enhanced: regulated activity with children or vulnerable adults
Enhanced with Barred List: roles involving being on either Barred List

Step-by-Step Process

Identify the correct check level

Standard and Enhanced checks are only lawful for specific roles. Basic is the only level available for general employment. The Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 lists qualifying roles for Standard/Enhanced.

Apply

Basic: directly to DBS on gov.uk (£21.50). Standard/Enhanced: through your employer or a 'registered body' (Standard £21.50, Enhanced £49.50). You provide ID documents — typically passport + 2 proof-of-address documents.

DBS processes (typically 1–4 weeks)

The DBS searches PNC (Police National Computer) and contacts the relevant chief officer if the role involves children or vulnerable adults. Enhanced checks include any 'relevant information' police hold that is reasonably believed to be relevant.

Receive the certificate

The certificate is posted to you. Your employer receives only confirmation if you subscribe to the Update Service. Without the Update Service, you must show your employer the physical certificate.

Update Service (optional but useful)

Subscribe within 30 days of certificate issue (£16/year for individuals, free for volunteers). Lets future employers do an online status check rather than a fresh application.

Disputing inaccurate information

If the certificate shows information you believe is wrong, you can dispute it via the DBS dispute service. The 2019 reforms mean some old spent convictions should no longer appear (e.g. single non-custodial convictions older than 11 years for adults / 5.5 years for under-18s).

Costs

Basic DBS£21.50

Standard DBS£21.50

Enhanced DBS£49.50

Update Service annual fee£16/year (free for volunteers)

Important Warnings

Employers asking for an Enhanced check on a role that does not qualify is unlawful and can lead to ICO action.

Discrimination based on a clean DBS that nevertheless shows something irrelevant is a separate complaint route under the Equality Act 2010.

Spent convictions should not be disclosed for most roles; if they appear, you can challenge.

Useful Links

DBS checks — gov.uk Update Service Disclosure Scotland AccessNI

Frequently asked questions

How much does it cost?: Main outlays are: Basic DBS — £21.50; Standard DBS — £21.50; Enhanced DBS — £49.50; Update Service annual fee — £16/year (free for volunteers). Court fees often qualify for Help with Fees remission if you're on a low income. Solicitor fees are extra and vary widely — many matters can be done as a litigant in person.
What are the most common mistakes to avoid?: Watch out for: Employers asking for an Enhanced check on a role that does not qualify is unlawful and can lead to ICO action.; Discrimination based on a clean DBS that nevertheless shows something irrelevant is a separate complaint route under the Equality Act 2010.; Spent convictions should not be disclosed for most roles; if they appear, you can challenge.. If you're unsure on any of these, get advice from a regulated solicitor or a free service like Citizens Advice before acting.
Where can I find the official forms and guidance?: The official sources are: DBS checks — gov.uk; Update Service; Disclosure Scotland; AccessNI. Always use the forms / guidance from the issuing authority's own site — third-party copies can be out of date.
Can I do this myself without a solicitor?: Yes — many people complete this kind of matter as a litigant in person. The site walks through each step in plain English. A solicitor is recommended if: large sums are at stake, the other side has legal representation, the matter involves criminal liability, children, immigration, or you're unsure on any procedural deadline. Free advice is available from Citizens Advice, Law Centres, and (for some matters) LawWorks pro bono clinics.