- The fee fell from £21.50 to £20.00 on 5 October 2026.
- The online service runs from 8am to 11:30pm, and a paper certificate is posted after processing.
- A DBS check has no official expiry date.
- The DBS helpline is 03000 200 190, Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm.
The essentials
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Fee | £20.00 from 5 October 2026 (£21.50 before) |
| Processing | Usually up to 3 days, then a paper certificate is posted |
| Minimum age | 16 |
| You need | A GOV.UK One Login, and addresses for the last 5 years. A passport, driving licence or National Insurance number helps with identity checks. |
| What it shows | Unspent convictions and conditional cautions |
| Online hours | 8am to 11:30pm |
The official steps
- Go to GOV.UK and start the basic check service. Sign in or create a GOV.UK One Login.
- Enter your details and the addresses for the last five years.
- Pay the £20.00 fee.
- Wait for processing, usually up to three days, and for the paper certificate in the post.
Helpline and special cases
The helpline for applicants is 03000 200 190, open Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm excluding public holidays. There is a Welsh line on 03000 200 191, and a Relay UK route via 18001 then 03000 200 192. Applicants in Scotland or Northern Ireland can use this service if the job is in England or Wales. A transgender applicant can ask for a previous name or gender not to be revealed, using the route GOV.UK describes.
How the checks differ
| Check | Shows | Who requests it | Fee |
|---|---|---|---|
| Basic | Unspent convictions and conditional cautions | The individual | £20.00 |
| Standard | Spent and unspent convictions and cautions | Employers and organisations | £20.00 |
| Enhanced | Standard check plus relevant police information | Employers and organisations | £41.00 |
Scotland and Northern Ireland
Disclosure Scotland issues the equivalent, a Level 1 disclosure, at £25. It is usually done within 14 days, digitally, through ScotAccount, with no paper certificate (mygov.scot). Northern Ireland uses AccessNI, with a basic check at £16.00 on nidirect. The comparison is in Disclosure Scotland and AccessNI.
Standard and enhanced checks
These are requested by employers and organisations, not by individuals. If someone asks you to pay for one before you have a job offer from a verified employer, see job offers that ask you to pay for a DBS check. Employers can check a certificate’s status for free through the Update Service, which the applicant joins for £15 a year.
Avoiding look-alike sites
Search adverts for “DBS check online” often lead to private sites that charge more for the same service. Go to GOV.UK directly. The DBS announcement says registered bodies may add an administration fee on top of the DBS fee, so for a basic check you apply for yourself, a total above £20.00 deserves a question. The signs of a copy are in fake DBS check websites.
Frequently asked questions
How much is a basic DBS check?
£20.00 in England and Wales from 5 October 2026, down from £21.50, according to GOV.UK.
How long does a basic DBS check take?
It usually takes up to three days to process, and a paper certificate is then posted to you.
What is the Scottish equivalent?
A Level 1 disclosure from Disclosure Scotland, £25 and usually done within 14 days, according to mygov.scot.
What do I need to apply?
You must be 16 or over, sign in with a GOV.UK One Login and give addresses for the last five years. A passport, driving licence or National Insurance number helps.
Does a basic DBS check expire?
GOV.UK says a DBS check has no official expiry date. An employer may still ask for a newer one.
What does a basic check not show?
Spent convictions and certain expired cautions. Standard and enhanced checks show more, and are requested by employers or organisations.