A DBS check is a criminal record check from the Disclosure and Barring Service, at basic, standard, enhanced or enhanced with barred lists level. GOV.UK says that, as of Nov 2026, anyone 16 or over working in England and Wales can request their own basic check online for 20 pounds, while the higher levels usually come through an employer or voluntary organisation.
Most people meet DBS checks from one side of the table: either a new role asks for one, or you're hiring and need to know which level you're allowed to request. The level matters more than anything else, because each one shows different information. Here's how GOV.UK's guidance for employers and its basic check service lay it out.
The four levels of DBS check
| Level | What it shows |
|---|---|
| Basic | Unspent convictions and conditional cautions |
| Standard | Spent and unspent convictions and cautions |
| Enhanced | Everything in a standard check, plus any information held by local police that's considered relevant to the role |
| Enhanced with barred lists | Everything in an enhanced check, plus whether the applicant is on the list of people barred from doing the role |
GOV.UK says a more detailed check can be requested for certain roles, for example in healthcare or childcare. Scotland and Northern Ireland have their own rules for criminal record checks, so this guide covers England and Wales.
Who can request a check on someone else
An employer, a voluntary organisation, or a third-party organisation managing DBS applications and checks for either of them can check the criminal record of someone applying for a role. If you carry out criminal record checks, you must have a policy on employing ex-offenders and show it to any applicant who asks for it.
There are a few situations where the usual route doesn't apply:
- Self-employed people and personal employees: if you're hiring someone self-employed, or a 'personal employee' to deliver services to you or a member of your family, you can't request a DBS check for them. They request one themselves and you check their DBS certificate.
- Childminders: they can get a check through Ofsted.
- Applicants requesting their own enhanced check: people applying for a role can sometimes request an enhanced check, or an enhanced check with barred list, for themselves.
- Not sure you're allowed to ask? GOV.UK says to contact DBS customer services, open Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm, except public holidays, or use DBS webchat.
Getting your own basic DBS check, step by step
A basic check, which GOV.UK also calls basic disclosure, gives you a copy of your own criminal record. It's for people working in England and Wales, and people in Scotland or Northern Ireland can use it too if the job they're applying for is in England or Wales. As of Nov 2026, it costs 20 pounds.
- Check you need a basic check. GOV.UK suggests asking your employer if you're not sure.
- Make sure you're 16 or over, the minimum age to apply.
- Prove your identity with GOV.UK One Login. You can create one if you don't already have it.
- Gather every address for the last 5 years, with the dates you lived at each, and have your passport, driving licence (full or provisional) and National Insurance number ready if you have them.
- Apply between 8am and 11:30pm, when the online service is open.
- Wait for processing, which usually takes up to 3 days. A paper certificate is then posted to you.
Transgender applicants can request not to reveal a previous name or gender. The service is also available in Welsh.
What a basic check leaves out
A basic check only shows convictions that aren't spent. GOV.UK gives the example that some types of caution disappear after 3 months. So a basic certificate with nothing on it isn't the same as a clear standard or enhanced check, which also shows spent convictions and cautions.
Time abroad is another blind spot. GOV.UK says DBS checks won't cover the time someone lived outside the UK, so an employer needs to check the rules in the country they lived in.
Reusing certificates and when to check again
GOV.UK says a DBS check has no official expiry date. The information on it was accurate at the time the check was carried out, and it's up to the employer to decide when a new check is needed. If the applicant has signed up for the DBS update service, you can check online whether their certificate is up to date.
You can accept a certificate that was requested for a previous role, but you must check the applicant's identity matches the details on it, check it's the right level and type for the role they've applied for, and see whether anything has changed if they're on the update service. There's more on this in the guide to how long a DBS check lasts.
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Plain advice on DBS checks
Match the level to the role before anything else. GOV.UK's Check someone's criminal record guidance says the more detailed checks are for certain roles, so working out whether you need basic, standard or enhanced saves everyone a wasted application. If you only need your own basic check, use GOV.UK's Request a basic DBS check service and have your 5 years of addresses ready before you start.
If you're a small employer, this guide to employment law situations for UK small business owners covers the wider hiring picture.
Frequently asked questions
How much is a basic DBS check?
As of Nov 2026, GOV.UK says a basic DBS check costs 20 pounds when you apply for your own.
How long does a basic DBS check take?
It usually takes up to 3 days for the application to be processed, and a paper certificate is then posted to you.
What's the difference between a basic and an enhanced DBS check?
A basic check shows unspent convictions and conditional cautions. An enhanced check shows spent and unspent convictions and cautions, plus relevant information held by local police.
Do DBS checks expire?
GOV.UK says a DBS check has no official expiry date. It's accurate at the time it was carried out, and the employer decides when a new check is needed.
Can I get a DBS check on myself?
Yes, a basic check, if you're 16 or over and the job is in England or Wales. People applying for a role can sometimes request an enhanced check for themselves too.
Does a DBS check cover time spent abroad?
No. GOV.UK says DBS checks won't cover the time someone lived outside the UK.
