- Employers must see the original certificate; copies and digital photographs must be rejected.
- The certificate is 209mm by 404mm, larger than A4, with printing on both sides.
- The Update Service covers standard and enhanced checks only, costs £15 a year, and is free for volunteers.
- Suspected tampering can be reported to FDIT@dbs.gov.uk.
Why the original matters
DBS certificates are issued to the applicant, not to the employer that asked for the check. The employer then has to look at what the applicant holds, which is why DBS insists on originals. Its guidance says copies or digital photographs are not acceptable and must be rejected. A phone picture of a certificate can be edited in seconds, and an employer who accepts one has not seen the document.
What the original shows
The employer guidance describes the paper certificate in physical terms, so a person holding it can compare:
| Feature | As described by DBS |
|---|---|
| Size and print | 209mm wide by 404mm long, larger than A4, with printing on both sides |
| Personal details | Printed in purple text |
| Watermark | A crown seal running down the right side, visible on the surface and when held to the light |
| Background | A wave pattern containing the word “Disclosure”, green on the front and purple on the back |
| Logo | The DBS logo on the front |
Read the current guidance rather than a summary, since it is the source for what to look for. Then check that the name, date of birth, issue date and type of check (basic, standard or enhanced) match the person and the check your organisation asked for. We do not describe how a certificate could be forged.
Using the Update Service
- Ask whether the applicant joined the Update Service. It covers standard and enhanced certificates; basic checks use a different online account instead.
- Get the applicant's permission. You must also be legally entitled to carry out the check, and you do not have to pay or register to see status.
- Run the status check online. If a previous certificate is shown as clear but the Update Service reports “no further information on certificate” against a certificate that appears to show something, DBS asks you to contact FDIT@dbs.gov.uk because it may have been tampered with.
- Note that the applicant had to join within 30 days of the certificate being issued, and for a reprint the 30 days run from the original certificate date, not the reprint.
Fees at the date we checked
The employer guidance listed these DBS fees in October 2026: basic £20, standard £20, enhanced £41 (the same for enhanced with barred lists) and DBS Adult First £6. The Update Service is £15 a year, per GOV.UK. Cost matters because scam sites exploit it. In February 2026 National Trading Standards reported that York Crown Court sentenced a man to 14 months for laundering nearly £18,000 taken from jobseekers who were sent to fake websites to buy DBS checks; they paid £70 to £100 each, against a legitimate cost the release gave as low as £21.50. See the fake recruitment DBS scam.
When something looks wrong
- The details do not match the person's ID or the check you asked for.
- The applicant offers a photograph, a scan or a photocopy only.
- The paper does not feel or look like the description above, or the features are missing.
- The Update Service status does not agree with the certificate.
In any of those cases ask again for the original, and if doubt remains, contact DBS at FDIT@dbs.gov.uk and consider a new check through your normal route. Keep what you learn only for the recruitment decision: DBS's code of practice says the information should be destroyed after a suitable period, usually no longer than 6 months. Applicants wanting their own basic check should read basic DBS check cost, and the update service is covered in the DBS Update Service guide.
Frequently asked questions
Can an employer accept a photocopy of a DBS certificate?
No. DBS guidance says copies or digital photographs are not acceptable and must be rejected. The employer must see the original certificate, which is issued to the applicant.
Does it cost an employer to check the Update Service?
GOV.UK says the employer must be legally entitled to carry out the check and have the worker's permission. It does not describe a fee for employers; the £15 a year is paid by the applicant, and volunteers pay nothing.
Does the Update Service cover a basic DBS check?
No. GOV.UK says the Update Service covers standard and enhanced checks only. Basic check applicants register for an online services account instead.
Where do I report a suspected fake DBS certificate?
DBS employer guidance gives FDIT@dbs.gov.uk for certificates that appear counterfeit or tampered with, including where the Update Service status disagrees with a clear-looking certificate.
How long may an employer keep the information?
The code of practice says information should be considered only for the purpose it was obtained and destroyed after a suitable period, usually no longer than 6 months. It cannot be used for purposes beyond the recruitment decision.
What do DBS checks cost now?
The employer guidance showed basic £20, standard £20, enhanced £41 and DBS Adult First £6 in October 2026. Fees change, so use the GOV.UK page on the day you apply.