DBS Check Costs 2023 – How Much Should You Pay? (2023)

FAQs

What is the fee for a DBS check? ›

From 6 April 2022, the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) will be reducing the fees for DBS checks. The fee for the Update Service will remain the same, at £13 per year. Standard, Enhanced, and Enhanced with Barred Lists DBS checks for volunteer applications will remain free-of-charge.

However, there is no legal requirement for employers to pay a DBS check fee. Sometimes, the applicant is responsible. Usually, the employer specifies who is accountable in the job description. Most employers who require several DBS checks will usually have an account with the DBS, so will front the cost.

A basic DBS check can be used for any position or purpose, however for certain roles, you may need a higher level of criminal record check. Find out if you need a basic DBS check or ask your employer if you're not sure.

Prices - Online DBS Check for Single Applications

Our Prices are simple, clear and do not include any hidden charges. Type of DBS check: Standard level DBS check: £62. Enhanced level DBS: £82.

However, it is not possible to “fail” a DBS check (criminal record check), as all the DBS does is check your files and details, and return a certificate detailing any convictions – in other words, it's not a “pass or fail” test.

If a basic check is required, the employer can ask the individual to apply directly to DBS (if they work in England or Wales) or Disclosure Scotland (if they work in Scotland). Alternatively, the employer can carry out the check through a Responsible Organisation, if they have the applicant's consent.

The main difference between Standard and Basic DBS checks is that anyone can request a Basic DBS check, there are no legal requirements. Basic DBS checks can be requested by an individual applying for their own criminal record check.

For the DBS ID checking process this means that just the driving licence photocard needs to be checked, unless an old style paper driving licence is produced (pre-1998). You can read about the DVLA changes in our news story.

What is a full DBS check? ›

Standard DBS check

This is a check of your criminal record which will show details of all spent and unspent convictions, cautions, reprimands and final warnings held on central police records (apart from protected convictions and cautions). Visit our full listing of Legal Terms.

Contrary to popular belief, DBS checks do not issue a pass or fail result. Instead, they detail aspects of the applicant's criminal record history in order for the employer to make the safest recruitment decision. The level of detail on the DBS certificate will depend on the level of the check.

A DBS check has no official expiry date. Any information included will be accurate at the time the check was carried out. It's up to you to decide when a new check is needed.

It usually takes around 14 days but it can take longer if: the details given for the check are incorrect. several police forces need to be involved in the check.

A DBS Check, also known as a Disclosure, will identify any convictions, cautions, final warnings or reprimands, relevant to the prospective employment and can also include intelligence from the police that may affect an individual's suitability for certain employment.

Cost Of A Standard DBS Check

We offer Standard DBS checks for £25.95 (£18 Gov. fee & £7.95+VAT admin fee), but it can be reduced further by taking advantage of our Free Admin Credit scheme.

An enhanced DBS check has all the information contained in a standard DBS check. However, with an enhanced check, an employer can also request to see whether a potential or current employee is listed on the Children's Barred List or Adult First list.

You can pay for a basic DBS check yourself or you can get someone to pay for you - for example, an employer or relative.

You can raise a dispute with DBS if they make a mistake on a DBS check. The mistake or decision can be changed if the appeal or dispute is successful. An employer or licensing authority can also appeal a DBS check if they've talked to the applicant first.

Does a DBS check affect credit score? ›

Does a DBS check affect your credit score? No. The information that is likely to show up on a DBS certificate, like criminal records and fines, is not included in your credit history.

The majority of theft convictions are eligible for filtering (removal) from a standard and enhanced DBS certificate, providing they did not result in a prison sentence or a suspended sentence. Without knowing the details of the Act you were convicted under, it's difficult for us to give you a definitive answer.

While official recommendations suggest a DBS should be renewed every three years, some​ organisations have set policies surrounding when they request rechecks. This timescale can vary from six months to every two years.

To find out whether your conviction is currently unspent, you can use our disclosure calculator. If you do have unspent convictions, the basic DBS check will give details of the date of conviction, the name of the court you appeared in, the offence committed, the date of the offence and the sentence received.

It is at the discretion of the applicant as to whether they show their DBS check to their employer. However, it is unlikely that the employer would make a recruitment decision without seeing the individual's certificate.

How Far Back Does a Standard DBS Check Go? Standard DBS checks can go as far back as possible, as there is no limit. This is because they show everything a basic does, as well as both spent and unspent convictions.

Standard Check.

This type of check shows any spent and unspent convictions, cautions, reprimands and final warnings that you may have. Positions such as banking, law, accountancy and some administrative positions, such as those on medical premises, usually require standard checks.

In the most general terms, they are the sort of jobs involving caring for children, or for adults who could be termed vulnerable. So, people working in nurseries, schools, hospitals, and care homes will all require enhanced DBS checks. These rules also apply to volunteers in sports clubs or youth organisations.

Only one document from each of the subgroups in group 2 should be included in the document count e.g. do not accept two bank statements as two of the required documents, if they are from the same bank.

You can use more than one of these documents to carry out a check but remember that at least one document you bring must have your current address on it. We can only accept original documents for a DBS check – we can't accept photocopies, scans or print offs.

Do you have to send original documents for DBS check? ›

The other requirement for documents is that they must be originals. That means no photocopies, no printouts of a bill or statement you've received online, no scanned copies and no photocopies. Fraud can be a problem with DBS applications, and only asking for original documents can cut down on fake applications.

Stage 5: DBS certificate printed

All the information to be disclosed on the DBS certificate is printed under highly-secure procedures, and posted to the applicant. The applicant will then need to show their DBS certificate to the employer who requested the DBS check.

If your lies are discovered before you start work, the employer will withdraw their offer of employment. If you've already starting work when they discover the truth, the most likely consequence is that you'll be dismissed immediately for gross misconduct.

Do I have to be DBS checked if I take a break of more than three months because of maternity, adoption, parental leave or sickness? A return to work after a period of statutory leave is not a new appointment, nor a break in service. Therefore, a DBS check is not required.

DBS is FDA-approved and covered by most health insurance companies. Some insurance companies require prior authorization before having surgery, and some do not fully understand DBS and may initially deny coverage.

It usually takes 14 days to process a DBS check. But it can take longer if: There are any incorrect details in the application. Several police forces need to be involved in the check.

The time to receive an enhanced DBS certificate can take around 4-8 weeks. In rare circumstances, it can take longer than 8 weeks. There are many reasons for a DBS certificate delay. The most common reason is a backlog of applications held by local police authorities.

Mistakes that cause delays include misspelt names, failure to disclose a recent name change and inaccurate address details. The only way you can avoid delays caused by this is to double-check that you have all required forms of ID on your person before starting your application.

It usually takes 14 days to process a DBS check. But it can take longer if: You give any incorrect details for the check. Several police forces need to be involved in the check.

A DBS check has no official expiry date. Any information included will be accurate at the time the check was carried out. It's up to you to decide when a new check is needed. If the applicant has signed up for the DBS update service you can check whether their certificate is up to date online.

How long does an enhanced DBS check take? ›

The completion time for an enhanced DBS check ranges from 24 hours to 14 days. The time to receive an enhanced DBS certificate can take around 4-8 weeks. In rare circumstances, it can take longer than 8 weeks. There are many reasons for a DBS certificate delay.

It usually takes 14 days to process a DBS check. But it can take longer if: There are any incorrect details in the application. Several police forces need to be involved in the check.

You can pay for a basic DBS check yourself or you can get someone to pay for you - for example, an employer or relative. You can pay with a debit or credit card. You can also use Google Pay or Apple Pay. If you pay the fee yourself, you need to pay it when you apply.

How Far Back Does a Standard DBS Check Go? Standard DBS checks can go as far back as possible, as there is no limit. This is because they show everything a basic does, as well as both spent and unspent convictions.

Details. Applicants (job candidates) can't do a criminal records check on themselves. You will need to get an application form from the employer who asked you for a DBS check.