DBS Update Service - GOV.UK Cookies on GOV.UK We use some essential cookies to make this website work. We’d like to set additional cookies to understand how you use GOV.UK, remember your settings and improve government services. We also use cookies set by other sites to help us deliver content from their services. You have accepted additional cookies. You can change your cookie settings at any time. You have rejected additional cookies. You can change your cookie settings at any time. Accept additional cookies Reject additional cookies View cookies Hide cookie message Skip to main content Navigation menu Menu Menu Services and information Benefits Births, death, marriages and care Business and self-employed Childcare and parenting Citizenship and living in the UK Crime, justice and the law Disabled people Driving and transport Education and learning Employing people Environment and countryside Housing and local services Money and tax Passports, travel and living abroad Visas and immigration Working, jobs and pensions Government activity Departments Departments, agencies and public bodies News News stories, speeches, letters and notices Guidance and regulation Detailed guidance, regulations and rules Research and statistics Reports, analysis and official statistics Policy papers and consultations Consultations and strategy Transparency Data, Freedom of Information releases and corporate reports Search GOV.UK × Search GOV.UK Search Search GOV.UK Search Home Employing people Recruiting and hiring DBS Update Service The Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) Update Service allows: applicants to keep their DBS certificates up to date employers and voluntary organisations (or third parties acting on their behalf) to check a DBS certificate The service is for standard and enhanced DBS checks only. You need to request a new DBS check in a different way. Register You need to register for the Update Service. It costs £16 per year and you can pay by debit or credit card. There’s no charge if you’re a volunteer. To qualify as a volunteer, you must not: be paid for the role, apart from approved travel and out-of-pocket expenses benefit financially from the role be on a work placement be a trainee or studying for a qualification that will lead to a full-time role be a paid foster carer or kinship carer, or a member of their household If you are in the process of getting a standard or enhanced DBS check You will need your application reference number (called ‘form ref’ on your application form). DBS must receive your application form within 28 days. You can use the DBS tracking service to check the progress of your DBS certificate. If you already have a standard or enhanced DBS certificate You will need your certificate number. You must register for the Update Service within 30 days of the certificate being issued. For basic DBS checks For basic checks, register for an online services account instead of using the Update Service. Sign in Once you’ve registered, you can sign in to the Update Service to: add or remove a certificate give permission for an organisation to check whether anything has changed on your certificate see who’s checked if anything’s changed on your certificate view your details You’ll be able to take your DBS certificate from one role to the next, unless: an organisation asks you to get a new certificate you need a certificate for a different type of ‘workforce’ (for example, you have an ‘adult workforce’ certificate and need a ‘child workforce’ certificate) you need a different level of certificate (for example, you have a standard DBS certificate and need an enhanced DBS certificate) The organisation can tell you what DBS certificate they need you to have. Renew your subscription A subscription to the Update Service lasts for one year. You can renew your subscription through the Update Service, either: when you first register, by choosing automatic renewal up to 30 days before your current subscription ends - but you cannot renew on the last day of your subscription Sign in to the Update Service to renew your subscription. If you do not renew your subscription before it ends, you’ll need to apply for a new DBS check and register for the Update Service again. Employers and other organisations To check a DBS certificate status online, you must: be legally entitled to carry out a check have the worker’s permission You do not need to pay or register to carry out a status check. You can see the results from the check straight away. Read the detailed guidance for employers. If you need help DBS customer services [email protected] Telephone: 0300 0200 190 Welsh: 0300 0200 191 Relay UK (if you cannot hear or speak on the phone): 18001 then 03000 200 192 British Sign Language (BSL): download or log in to Convo Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm (except public holidays) Find out about call charges Get help through DBS webchat Transgender applications [email protected] Sensitive applications team Customer services PO Box 165 Liverpool L69 3JD Related content Criminal record checks when you apply for a role Check someone's criminal record Get a criminal record check to become a driving instructor Explore the topic Recruiting and hiring Is this page useful? Maybe Yes this page is useful No this page is not useful Thank you for your feedback Report a problem with this page Help us improve GOV.UK Do not include personal or financial information like your National Insurance number or credit card details. This field is for robots only. 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