- Scotland: a Level 1 disclosure costs £25 and is usually processed within 14 days, with no paper certificate.
- Northern Ireland: an AccessNI basic check costs £16, with a target of 95% within 14 days and an average of 4 days.
- England and Wales: the DBS basic check is £20 from 5 October 2026.
- Each system holds its own record; the employer says which it accepts.
Three systems, three fees
| Where | Service | Fee | Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Scotland | Disclosure Scotland, Level 1 | £25 | Usually within 14 days, unless more information is needed |
| Northern Ireland | AccessNI basic check | £16.00 | 95% within 14 days, average 4 days; through a Responsible Body 99% within 7 days |
| England and Wales | DBS basic check | £20 (from 5 October 2026) | See GOV.UK for current timings |
Scotland
mygov.scot says you pay by credit or debit card, sign in with ScotAccount (which you can create while applying), complete the application and track it online. You do not get a paper certificate: Disclosure Scotland emails a secure link to view and share the disclosure. It shows the date issued, your name, your date of birth and any unspent convictions; spent convictions are not included once their disclosure period has ended. Anyone in Scotland can apply, most often for employment.
Northern Ireland
An individual applies online for a basic check through their own nidirect account and must upload proof of identity with the application. If you already have a nidirect account, use it; otherwise create one first. A Responsible Body can apply for a basic check on a different, faster target.
Applying officially
- Start from the government site for the right system: mygov.scot, nidirect or GOV.UK.
- Create or sign in to the account that service uses (ScotAccount or nidirect).
- Pay the fee shown there, by card, and upload identity if asked.
- Receive the result digitally in Scotland, and by the route nidirect or GOV.UK describes elsewhere.
Where the scams sit
- The address is not mygov.scot, nidirect.gov.uk or GOV.UK.
- The price is above the table, or a service charge is added.
- The link came from a job advert or a message from a recruiter.
- You are asked to pay for a standard or enhanced check yourself; employers or registered bodies request those, not applicants.
For the English version of the same pattern, see fake DBS check websites and DBS job scams, and for the English fee basic DBS check cost. For employers, how to check a DBS certificate explains what a certificate does and does not show.
Frequently asked questions
How much is a Disclosure Scotland check?
A Level 1 disclosure costs £25, according to mygov.scot, and is usually processed within 14 days unless Disclosure Scotland needs more information. You pay by credit or debit card and view the result online through a secure link.
How much is an AccessNI basic check?
£16.00 on nidirect. For an individual applying directly the target is 95% within 14 days, with an average of 4 days. You need your own nidirect account and must upload proof of identity.
Is an English DBS check valid in Scotland?
Check with the employer or organisation asking. Each system covers its own records, and the organisation says which it accepts. Do not pay for a second check before asking whether the first will do.
What does a Scottish Level 1 disclosure show?
mygov.scot says the date of issue, your name, your date of birth and any unspent convictions. Spent convictions are left out after their disclosure period ends. It is delivered online, not on paper.
Do I need ID for an AccessNI basic check?
Yes. nidirect says you must upload proof of your identity when you submit the basic online application, and the application cannot be submitted without it. Use the official nidirect service rather than a look-alike site.