Requirements for a DBS enhanced check in the United Kingdom in 2026

An enhanced DBS check is the most thorough level of criminal record check available in England, Wales and Northern Ireland. It is issued by the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) and reveals spent and unspent convictions, cautions, reprimands and final warnings held on the Police National Computer, as well as any relevant information held by local police forces. For roles involving children or vulnerable adults, it also includes a check of the DBS barred lists.

If you have been asked to obtain an enhanced DBS check, it is almost always because a prospective employer, voluntary organisation or regulatory body requires it before you can start work or volunteering. The process is straightforward once you understand what documents to gather and which route to use. This guide sets out exactly what you need in 2026.

What this procedure is and what it’s for

An enhanced DBS check is a statutory background check that discloses a person’s criminal history to an eligible employer or organisation. It is the highest level of check available and is reserved for specific regulated roles.

Who needs one

You will need an enhanced DBS check if you are applying for a role that involves:

• Regular, unsupervised contact with children (for example, teachers, childminders, social workers, sports coaches)
• Regular, unsupervised contact with vulnerable adults (for example, care workers, healthcare professionals, support workers)
• Certain regulated professions such as solicitors, barristers, financial advisers in specific contexts, and prison officers
• Positions of trust in schools, hospitals or registered care settings
• Foster carers and adoptive parents

Who is responsible

The Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS), an executive non-departmental public body sponsored by the Home Office, is responsible for processing enhanced checks in England, Wales and Northern Ireland. In Scotland, the equivalent body is Disclosure Scotland, which operates a separate system (the Protecting Vulnerable Groups scheme). This guide focuses on the DBS process in England, Wales and Northern Ireland.

Importantly, individuals cannot apply for an enhanced DBS check directly. The application must be submitted through a registered body or an umbrella body — an organisation that is registered with the DBS and is authorised to countersign applications on behalf of employers.

Documents required

You must prove your identity to the registered body or umbrella body before your application is submitted. The DBS uses a three-route identity checking system. You must satisfy one of the three routes below.

Route 1 (preferred)

Present one document from Group 1:

• Current valid passport (any nationality)
• Biometric immigration document (current eVisa confirmation and associated travel document, or a valid passport with a valid visa)
• Current driving licence issued by the DVLA (photocard only; full or provisional)
• Birth certificate issued at the time of birth (UK, Isle of Man or Channel Islands)
• Adoption certificate issued by a UK Registrar

Route 2

If you cannot provide a Group 1 document, present one document from Group 2a plus two documents from Group 2b:

Group 2a — trusted government documents:

• Current driving licence (photocard) issued by the DVLA or a non-UK authority
• Current passport (any nationality)
• Birth certificate issued at the time of birth (UK, Isle of Man or Channel Islands)
• Adoption certificate (UK)
• HM Forces ID card (UK)
• Firearms licence (UK)

Group 2b — financial and social history documents:

• Mortgage statement (issued in the last 12 months)
• Bank or building society statement (issued in the last 3 months)
• Bank or building society account opening confirmation letter (issued in the last 3 months)
• Credit card statement (issued in the last 3 months)
• Financial statement such as a pension or endowment (issued in the last 12 months)
• P45 or P60 statement (issued in the last 12 months)
• Council Tax statement (issued in the last 12 months)
• Work permit or visa (issued in the last 12 months)
• Letter from a government department or local authority (issued in the last 3 months)
• NHS card with photo (UK)
• Letter from a head teacher or college principal (for 16–19 year olds in full-time education; issued in the last 3 months)
• Utility bill (issued in the last 3 months; not a mobile phone bill)
• Benefit statement (issued in the last 3 months)
• Central or local government, government agency or local council document (issued in the last 3 months)
• EEA national ID card
• Irish passport card

Route 3

If you cannot satisfy Routes 1 or 2, the registered body may verify your identity through an external identity service provider approved by the DBS. This route requires prior agreement with the registered body.

General rules for all documents

• All documents must be originals — photocopies are not accepted
• At least one document must confirm your current address
• At least one document must confirm your date of birth
• If your name has changed (for example, through marriage or deed poll), you must provide evidence of the name change (for example, a marriage certificate or deed poll document)
• Documents in a language other than English must be accompanied by a certified translation

Steps to complete the procedure

1. Confirm eligibility with your employer or organisation. Your employer or the organisation requesting the check must confirm that the role is eligible for an enhanced DBS check. Not all roles qualify; the employer is responsible for determining the correct level of check.

2. Identify a registered body or umbrella body. Your employer may already be a registered body. If not, they will direct you to an umbrella body. You cannot submit the application yourself. A list of umbrella bodies is available on the GOV.UK website at gov.uk/find-dbs-umbrella-body.

3. Complete the application form. The registered or umbrella body will give you access to an application form — either a paper form or, more commonly, an online form through a platform such as the DBS’s own online service or a third-party provider. You will need to provide:

   • Full name (and any previous names)
   • Date of birth
   • Current and previous addresses for the past five years
   • National Insurance number
   • Details of the role you are applying for

4. Present your identity documents. Take your original identity documents to the registered body or umbrella body for verification. Some umbrella bodies offer a digital identity verification service; confirm with them in advance whether an in-person visit is required.

5. The registered body countersigns and submits the application. Once your identity is verified and the form is complete, the registered body countersigns the application and submits it electronically to the DBS.

6. Receive your DBS certificate. The DBS sends the certificate to you by post to your home address. Your employer will also be notified that a certificate has been issued, but they will not automatically receive a copy — you must show it to them.

7. Share the certificate with your employer. You are responsible for presenting the certificate to your employer. If you subscribe to the DBS Update Service (see the fees section), your employer can check your certificate status online with your consent, without waiting for a new certificate each time.

Where the procedure takes place

• Identity verification: in person with the registered or umbrella body (or digitally if the body offers this)
• Application submission: online via the DBS online application service or a third-party platform
• Certificate delivery: by post to your home address

Estimated time

Most enhanced DBS checks are completed within 2 to 8 weeks. The DBS aims to process the majority of applications within 8 weeks, but checks that require further enquiries with police forces can take longer.

Fees and timelines

• Enhanced DBS check fee: £49.50 (as of 2026, payable to the DBS)
• Umbrella body administration fee: varies by provider, typically £10–£30 on top of the DBS fee
• Volunteers: enhanced checks are free of charge (the £49.50 DBS fee is waived); umbrella body fees may still apply
• DBS Update Service subscription: £16 per year (optional; allows employers to check the status of an existing certificate online)
• Estimated processing time: typically 2–8 weeks from submission; some applications take longer if additional police enquiries are needed
• Certificate validity: there is no official expiry date on a DBS certificate itself; however, employers set their own policies on how recent a certificate must be (commonly 1–3 years)
• Update Service: if you subscribe to the DBS Update Service within 30 days of your certificate being issued, the certificate remains current for as long as your subscription is active and you remain in the same workforce (children, adults or other)

Common mistakes and how to avoid them

• Providing photocopies instead of original documents. The registered body must see original documents. Photocopies, scans or digital images of physical documents are not accepted for identity verification. Always bring the physical originals.

• Not accounting for all addresses in the past five years. The application form requires a complete address history for the previous five years, including dates. Gaps in address history will cause delays or rejection. Check your records carefully before completing the form.

• Applying directly to the DBS without a registered body. Individuals cannot submit an enhanced DBS application on their own. If you attempt to apply without a countersigning registered body, the application will not be accepted. Always go through your employer or an umbrella body.

• Missing the 30-day window to join the DBS Update Service. You can only subscribe to the Update Service within 30 days of your certificate being issued. Missing this window means you will need a new check (and pay the full fee again) if a future employer requires an up-to-date certificate. Subscribe promptly if you work in a sector where regular checks are required.

• Not providing evidence of a name change. If the name on your identity documents does not match the name on your application (for example, due to marriage or a legal name change), the application will be delayed. Always include a marriage certificate, deed poll or other legal name-change document.

Frequently asked questions

Can I apply for an enhanced DBS check myself, without an employer? No. Enhanced DBS checks can only be submitted through a registered body or umbrella body. If you are self-employed or between jobs, you can approach an umbrella body directly — many accept applications from individuals on behalf of organisations. However, the check must still be countersigned by a registered body.

How long does an enhanced DBS certificate last? There is no statutory expiry date. The certificate shows information as of the date it was issued. Employers set their own renewal policies; many require a new check every one to three years. If you subscribe to the DBS Update Service, your employer can verify your certificate is still current without you needing a new one.

What is the difference between an enhanced check and an enhanced check with barred list information? An enhanced check discloses criminal record information and any relevant police intelligence. An enhanced check with barred list information additionally checks whether you are on the DBS children’s barred list, the adults’ barred list, or both. The barred list check is only available for roles that are legally defined as regulated activity with children or vulnerable adults.

Will a criminal record automatically prevent me from getting the role? Not necessarily. The DBS certificate discloses information; it does not make a decision about your suitability. That decision rests with the employer, who must consider the nature of the offence, how long ago it occurred, its relevance to the role and any other circumstances. Certain serious offences are permanently disclosed and may be an absolute bar for specific regulated roles.

What happens if I disagree with the information on my DBS certificate? If you believe the information on your certificate is inaccurate or should not have been disclosed, you can apply to have it reviewed through the DBS disputes process. Contact the DBS directly and request a dispute form. You can also seek advice from the charity Unlock, which supports people with criminal records.

What to do next

The most important first step is to confirm with your employer or organisation that the role qualifies for an enhanced DBS check and to identify the registered or umbrella body that will process your application. Gather your original identity documents — particularly a valid passport or DVLA photocard driving licence — and ensure you have a complete five-year address history to hand.

Once your certificate arrives, consider subscribing to the DBS Update Service within 30 days if you work in a sector where checks are regularly required.

Requirements and fees can change. Always verify the current requirements, fees and processing times directly with the Disclosure and Barring Service before submitting your application. The official source is gov.uk/government/organisations/disclosure-and-barring-service.