DBS Checks
UK Government Licensed & Approved
Criminal Record Checks
Why do Organisations choose CRBonline to handle their DBS Check needs?
All About DBS Checks
Online DBS Checks
What is included in an online DBS Check?
Basic DBS Check
A Basic DBS Check is the lowest level of DBS check available in the UK and can be requested by anyone for any reason.
It provides details of any unspent convictions or conditional cautions recorded on the Police National Computer.
This type of check is often used for roles that don’t involve working directly with vulnerable groups but still require a level of trust, such as in certain administrative, retail, or delivery jobs.
Basic DBS checks help employers make informed hiring decisions by revealing any recent, relevant criminal history that may impact a candidate’s suitability for a role.
Basic DBS Checks can be obtained directly from Disclosure and Barring Service, without needing to go through a DBS Umbrella company like CRBonline. At £21.50, this is the cheapest way to get a Basic DBS Check.
Standard DBS Check
A Standard DBS Check provides a more detailed overview of an individual’s criminal record than a basic check. It includes information on both spent and unspent convictions, cautions, reprimands, and warnings held on the Police National Computer. This level of check is typically required for positions of responsibility and trust that don’t necessarily involve direct contact with vulnerable groups—such as roles in finance, legal services, or certain civil service positions.
Employers use Standard DBS checks to ensure that candidates do not have a criminal history that could pose a risk in roles requiring integrity and reliability.
A Standard DBS Check can only be obtained via a government approved Registered Body such as CRBonline.
A Standard DBS Check cannot be requested by individuals directly, an must go through an organisation.
Enhanced DBS Check
An Enhanced DBS Check is the most comprehensive level of criminal record check available and is typically required for roles that involve regular contact with children or vulnerable adults, such as teaching, healthcare, or social care positions. It includes all the information found in a Standard DBS Check, spent and unspent convictions, cautions, reprimands, and warnings, along with any relevant information held by local police forces, which may be disclosed if deemed necessary for the role.
This additional layer of scrutiny helps employers assess whether an individual may pose a risk in sensitive or high-trust environments.
An Enhanced DBS Check can also have the options for Adults’ Barred List and Children’s Barred List checks. These are checks against a list of individuals that are legally barred from working with these groups.
An Enhanced DBS Check can only be obtained via a government approved Registered Body such as CRBonline.
An Enhanced DBS Check cannot be requested by individuals directly, an must go through an organisation.
Advantages of choosing an online DBS Check method for Standard and Enhanced DBS
CRBonline provides online DBS Checks for Standard and Enhanced via our fantastic, intuitive and user friendly platform.
Customers choose this method of obtaining DBS Checks for reasons including:
- Quicker processing – Employees can start sooner with quicker online DBS checks. We’ve seen client registration to receiving their first completed DBS Check in under 48 hours.
- Cost and Time Savings – paper forms are slow, cumbersome, and usually more expensive. Our platform catches errors before they happen. You can remove all the administrative headache of trying to monitor and process DBS Checks.
- Simplicity – It is easy for Applicants, they get a login and can complete their side of the DBS Check form without hassle. There are options for individuals that can’t access online easily as well.
- Full Visibility – eliminate guess work with DBS Checks with a platform that make it easy to see where all the DBS Checks are at a glance. Plus, get notifications that keep you and your Applicants informed.
- Convenient Results – A nice clear electronic snapshot of the DBS Certificate means you don’t even have to worry about storing your results. The Applicant gets a paper copy sent directly to their home address.
- Compliant and Reliable – Our platform helps ensure compliance with DBS and data protection regulations, giving you peace of mind when it comes to safeguarding responsibilities.
- Multi-user Management – Perfect for HR teams, you can assign access, delegate roles, and manage multiple checks effortlessly from one centralised account with multiple organisation users
- Excellent Support – Our UK-based support team is ready to help with any queries, offering guidance every step of the way.
About the Platform
What it is and how it works
The CRBonline platform is a modern up to date, AI powered web application that allows organisations to effortlessly manage their online DBS Check requirements.
Once you have registered for a platform account, you’ll get a login for your organisation.
From there, you’ll be able to add your internal users as necessary, and set their permissions. These are individuals that need to administer online DBS Checks.
To process an online DBS Check, you simply add the individual to the system. You only need to supply their email address and name.
We’ll send them an email with a link inviting them to access the platform. Once they have clicked on the link and set their password, they’ll get a very clear notification that guides them to complete their side of the DBS Check application form.
The applicant side of the DBS Check form contains AI validation that ensures they don’t make mistakes like gaps in address history, invalid National Insurance numbers, gaps in address history.
Once they complete their side of the DBS Check, you’ll receive a notification. The platform will prompt you to enter the ID Verification documents. You have to tell the platform what ID documents you have seen, and the AI driven validation will prompt to ensure that you have enough documentation. Once you have entered the minimum required, it will automatically tell you.
It will now prompt you to tell it what level of DBS you require, the job role, which Barred Lists to check, whether it is a volunteer based DBS Check and finally whether it is a home-based position. The AI on board prevents you from making obvious eligibility errors.
Once the DBS Check type is chosen, the DBS Check can be paid for and submitted to Disclosure and Barring Service for the actual DBS Check to be run. Organisations can choose to pay as you go, or buy prepaid credits. The platform will even allow you to delegate an invoice to an Applicant, so they can pay directly. Useful for organisations that make the Applicant responsible for covering the cost of a DBS Check.
After an invoice has been paid, or pre-paid credits allocated, the DBS Check is automatically forwarded electronically to Disclosure and Barring Service. You and your Applicant will receive a notification, along with the unique application reference number for the DBS Check. You’ll also be able to access the DBS Check tracking link to see exactly where Disclosure and Barring Service are with the DBS Check.
Once Disclosure and Barring Service have completed their checks, an electronic snapshot of the DBS Check certificate will be made available to you. The Applicant will be posted a paper copy of the DBS Check certificate.
Throughout the process the AI will keep you both notified and allow you to see exactly where you are up to.
Need to ask a question before registering…?
If you are already a customer, please login and use the regular support channels on the platform
Frequently Asked Questions
Answers to the most popular questions we get about DBS Checks and our Platform
How much does a DBS Check cost?
A DBS Check through an Umbrella Body usually has two elements to the charge that make up the final cost.
What are the levels of DBS Check available?
There are three primary levels of DBS checks: Basic, Standard, and Enhanced. Employers should evaluate the role’s specific duties and responsibilities to identify the appropriate level of check required, helping to maintain a safe and secure environment for their workplace and stakeholders.
Can I fast-track or pay for a faster DBS Check?
No. There are no fast track options. The Disclosure & Barring Service process all Applications in the same manner.
Once an Application is with the Disclosure and Barring Service, there is nothing CRBonline can do to influence the speed of the check. The same is true of all Umbrella DBS Providers.
We are only able to make DBS Checks as quick as they possibly can be by providing an intuitive and easy to use platform that minimises Applicant errors and allows the DBS Check application process to be smooth and quick.
What is fastest way to get a DBS Check?
For Standard DBS Check, or Enhanced DBS Check: use a DBS Umbrella Company like CRBonline, which provides a modern platform and online e-bulk DBS Checks
Register for Free Organisation Account Here
For Basic DBS: apply directly to Disclosure and Barring Service
What level of DBS Check do I need?
If the position includes direct, unsupervised contact with vulnerable groups (e.g. children, elderly, disabled individuals) or regulated activities, you’ll likely need an Enhanced DBS Check, possibly with a Barred List inclusion. If the position includes direct, unsupervised contact with vulnerable groups (e.g. children, elderly, disabled individuals) or regulated activities, you’ll likely need an Enhanced DBS check, possibly with a Barred List inclusion inclusion.
If the role doesn’t involve working with vulnerable people—but does involve responsibility or trust (e.g. finance, legal, security)—a Standard DBS check is typically required.
For roles that don’t involve children, vulnerable adults, or specific professional responsibilities, a Basic DBS check may be sufficient.
Eligibility for Standard or Enhanced checks is determined by legislation, primarily the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 and the Police Act 1997. Not all roles qualify. Employers must use the official GOV.UK eligibility tool to confirm the correct level—requesting a higher-level check than allowed can be unlawful.
The DBS provide detailed eligibility guidance here.
They also provide an eligibility tool.
Are Volunteer DBS Checks free?
Yes – for volunteers, the DBS does not charge a fee for Standard or Enhanced checks. If you have someone working in an unpaid volunteer capacity in a role that requires a DBS, you can apply for a Standard or Enhanced DBS and mark it as a volunteer application, and make the necessary declarations.
However, although the Disclosure and Barring Service element is free, there is still an admin fee charged by us. So in effect the costs are much reduced. The admin fee element charged by CRBonline for a Standard DBS Check, or Enhanced DBS Check tends to be the same for both volunteer and paid employee applications.
The definition of a volunteer is quite narrow. If, for example, the role is part of work placement, or a trial position, then the Disclosure and Barring Service does not consider these as volunteer positions. Don’t worry though, our platform makes it very clear through declaration the hurdles the role must clear to be considered a DBS eligible volunteer.
What's the difference between a CRB Check and a DBS Check?
A CRB check is the older term for what we now call a DBS check. CRB stands for Criminal Records Bureau, which was the agency that handled criminal record checks before the DBS existed. In 2012, the CRB merged with the Independent Safeguarding Authority (ISA) to form the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS).
After this merger, CRB checks were replaced by DBS checks. In practical terms, a DBS check serves the same purpose as the old CRB check – i.e., to provide information on an individual’s criminal record to help employers make safer hiring decisions. The difference is mostly in name and some expanded functions. DBS introduced the barred list checks and the Update Service as part of its service. So if you see older documentation referencing “CRB checks,” it’s essentially referring to the same process that we now call DBS checks.
To put it simply: DBS is the new name for CRB. A “Standard CRB” is now a Standard DBS, an “Enhanced CRB” is an Enhanced DBS, etc.
People still use the term CRB, quite regularly, and refer to a CRB Check, and some of the Disclosure and Barring Services own infrastructure still uses CRB. For example the DBS external tracking link is: https://secure.crbonline.gov.uk. But any checks now are done through DBS. Employers should be aware of this change, and any CRB certificates that were issued in the past should be treated the same as DBS certificates (though they would be quite dated by now)
What is an Adult First Check, and is it the same as an Adults' Barred List check?
An Adults’ Barred List Check, and an Adult First Check are related but not the same thing.
An Adults’ Barred List Check is an optional element of an Enhanced DBS Check which means the check includes cross referencing to see whether an applicant is on the Adults’ Barred List. Being on the Adults’ Barred List prevents an individual from legally performing Regulated Activity work with Adults. Example of Regulated Activity are tasks like healthcare tasks, personal care or handling money.
Some roles will be eligible for an Enhanced DBS Check, and some are eligible for an Enhanced DBS Check with Adults’ Barred List. For example, a receptionist in a care home is eligible for an Enhanced DBS Check, but because they are not performing Regulated Activities, then they cannot have an Adults’ Barred List check included. A care assistant in the same location, responsible for providing personal care, would need an Enhanced DBS Check with Adults’ Barred List, as they are undertaking Regulated Activity.
An Adult First Check, is a rapid check that is taken against the Adults’ Barred List. It can only be submitted with or whilst an Enhanced DBS Check with Adults’ Barred List is in process. The Employer will get an email, usually within 72 hours, advising whether the individual is not on the list, or whether to wait for the complete certificate. The latter doesn’t mean they definitely are on the list.
An Enhanced DBS Check, and an Enhanced DBS Check with Adults’ Barred List has the same cost. An Adult First Check, is optional and has an additional cost.
Unfortunately there is no rapid service to check the Children’s Barred List.
What is the Adults' Barred List?
It’s a confidential list maintained by the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) that includes individuals who are legally barred from undertaking Regulated Activity with vulnerable adults.
Regulated Activity, when in relation to adults, is a defined list of tasks, it will include tasks such as personal care or handling a vulnerable adult’s money. For a comprehensive guide: click here
It is entirely possible for an individual to have no criminal record, but be legally barred from working in Regulated Activity roles with vulnerable adults. That individual would be included on the Adults’ Barred List.
An Enhanced DBS Check can either include a check against Adults’ Barred List or not, it depends if the role is eligible. For someone working solely in non-regulated activity, a cleaner in a care home for example, the role wouldn’t be eligible for a Adults’ Barred List check.
There is no cost difference between an Enhanced DBS Check with Adults’ Barred List, and an Enhanced DBS Check without Adults’ Barred Lists check.
Can anyone get a DBS Check?
Anyone can have a Basic DBS Check, but a Standard DBS Check or Enhanced DBS Checks are only available to eligible roles.
Eligibility for Standard or Enhanced checks is determined by legislation, primarily the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 and the Police Act 1997. Not all roles qualify. Employers must use the official GOV.UK eligibility tool to confirm the correct level, requesting a higher-level check than allowed can be unlawful.
The Disclosure & Barring Service provide comprehensive guidance.
They provide an eligibility tool.
The DBS also provide detailed eligibility guidance here.
What is a DBS Umbrella body?
A DBS Umbrella Body (or umbrella company) is an organisation that is officially registered to access the DBS Checks service and can process DBS Checks on behalf of other employers or organisations.
CRBonline is a well established DBS Umbrella Body.
Umbrella bodies act as middlemen between employers and the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS). This is helpful because most businesses or charities don’t register directly with the DBS, registration usually only makes sense for organisations processing thousands of checks annually.
Instead, these organisations can go through a DBS umbrella provider. In practice, this means the umbrella company takes care of administrative responsibilities such as supplying the application system, counter-signing, submitting the application to the DBS, and often providing ongoing support and advice throughout the process.
Can someone start working before a DBS Check is complete?
Whether an organisation allows Employees to start work before a DBS Check is complete is largely down to their own policies and procedures. For example, some organisations will have methods of ensuring employees can work with supervision until their DBS Check is completed.
Employers that provide regulated activities such as working with Children or certain activities with Vulnerable Adults, will require Barred List checks. It is illegal for individuals that are on those Barred Lists to do regulated activity. In these cases it is highly unlikely that an Employee can start work before receiving confirmation they are not on these Barring Lists.
In the case of regulated working with Adults, there is a process whereby an Application can include a rapid check as to whether that individual is on the Barred List, this is known as an Adult First Check. Check the FAQ’s for ‘Adult First Check’ to find out more about these.
When should we start the DBS Application Process for a new Employee?
A hold up with Disclosure and Barring Service being slow in issuing a DBS Check Certificate, could be frustrating in not having an Employee start when you want them, or even worse, they cannot wait for the certificate and take another role.
On the other hand, a DBS Check is non-refundable. If you request one too early in the process, and the new prospective employee doesn’t take your job, then you will have wasted money.
When considering the exact moment in a recruitment and onboarding lifecycle to submit the DBS Check Application, you’ll have to balance these two competing factors.
Fortunately CRBonline only charges when a DBS is ready to go, adn you are ready to submit. You don’t pay for unsubmitted DBS Check applications. So, it is fine to start the process, as in getting an applicant registered, them completing their side of the DBS Check form, and even going through the identification process and DBS type selection. Then you can wait for that optimal moment to submit the DBS Check, and only commit the payment at that point.
What should Employers be looking for on a DBS Check Certificate?
When assessing a DBS certificate, employers should carefully review any information disclosed, including:
Cautions and convictions: Evaluate the type of offence, how much time has passed since it occurred, and whether it has any relevance to the role being applied for.
Police intelligence: Found on Enhanced DBS certificates, this may include information provided by local police based on concerns or investigations.
Barring details: Shows whether the individual is legally prohibited from working with children or vulnerable adults.
Employers should have a well-defined policy for reviewing DBS results and are encouraged to seek legal guidance if they are unsure about how to handle any disclosures.
Do I need the Applicant’s consent to carry out a DBS check?
Yes, an individual’s knowledge and consent are required to carry out a DBS check.
You cannot run a DBS Check on someone without them being aware. The process involves collecting personal details—such as all names used, date of birth, address history, and official ID documents—so the applicant must be actively involved.
Moreover, the DBS sends the certificate directly to the applicant (not the employer), which ensures they see the results first and have control over who can view it. If an employer needs to review the DBS Check certificate, the individual must voluntarily share it.
Can I DBS check all my staff even if not legally required?
You’re allowed to request Basic DBS Checks for any employees or staff as part of your organisation’s policy, since Basic DBS Checks are available for all job roles and purposes.
Many employers choose to carry out Basic DBS Checks for positions that don’t qualify for Standard DBS Checks or Enhanced DBS checks but still involve a level of responsibility—such as roles dealing with finances or sensitive information. While not legally required, it provides insight into any recent unspent convictions.
However, Standard DBS Checks and Enhanced DBS Checks can’t be requested for just any role. These higher-level checks are legally restricted and can only be used for positions that meet specific eligibility requirements (such as those involving work with children, vulnerable adults, or certain regulated activities).
Requesting a Standard DBS Check or Enhanced DBS check for a role that doesn’t qualify is not allowed. So, for positions that fall outside those legal categories, a Basic DBS check is the only permissible option if you want to carry out background screening.
How long does a DBS Check take?
Most DBS Checks are completed within 48 hours. Though this can depend upon the type. Basic level DBS checks are very fast, usually back within hours. Standard DBS Checks rarely go past 5 working days, with the majority back 24-48 hours. Enhanced Checks go to Local Police Forces. These can be very quick, back the same day, but on average they take longer than Standard and Basic DBS Checks.
For Enhanced Checks, the vast majority are completed within 10 working days.
What does a DBS Check check for?
A DBS (Disclosure and Barring Service) check reveals information about a person’s criminal history, helping employers make safer recruitment decisions.
The specific information disclosed depends on the type of DBS check requested: Basic, Standard, Enhanced, or Enhanced with Barred Lists.
This could include spent and unspent convictions, or in the most in depth check levels, notes on Police files.
Certain level of DBS Check, also checks whether an individual has been banned from working with certain vulnerable groups.
Which identification documents are needed for an DBS Check Application
DBS Checks require identification documentation to be presented to a nominated ID checker within the Client organisation. Depending on the ID documents available, the DBS Check require a combination of in date and current documents. The is specified by Disclosure and Barring Service. You can find out the latest requirements here:
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/dbs-identity-checking-guidelines
How do I get a Standard or Enhanced DBS Check for my Employees \ Volunteers
If you an organisation looking for DBS Checks, then you first need to register with us here: https://app.crbonline.co.uk/new-client-register
You’ll receive a client login to our portal within one working day. From there you can start to add the individuals that need the DBS Checks.
They’ll get their own Applicant login, which they use to log in and complete their side of the DBS application form. You’ll be notified they have completed their side of the DBS Check. Thereafter, you log into the Client side of the portal and enter the ID checks, and select the DBS type you require. We then send it off electronically to the Disclosure and Barring Service.
Once they have finished their processing, the Applicant will receive a physical certificate in the post. Within one day of the DBS Check certificate being printed, you will be able to access an electronic snapshot of the DBS certificate/
The steps in the process are neatly signposted and the tracking information presentation is simple to follow.
How do I get a Basic DBS Check?
Whilst Standard DBS Checks and Enhanced DBS Checks have eligibility criteria, anyone can get a Basic DBS check for themselves.
Also unlike a Standard DBS Check or Enhanced DBS Check, any organisation or individual can get them directly from the Disclosure and Barring Service.
Best of all, you don’t need to pay anyone else an admin fee, and you only need to pay the Disclosure and Barring cost of £21.50. If anyone is offering you a Basic DBS Check for anything more than £21.50, then they are charging you an additional admin fee you can easily avoid. To get a Basic DBS Check, you can start here: https://www.gov.uk/request-copy-criminal-record
Just be sure that it is a Basic Check you need. If you need a Standard DBS Check or Enhanced DBS Check then you most likely will need to utilise an Umbrella DBS company like CRBonline, or your organisation needs to be registered directly with the Disclosure and Barring Service.
How long is a DBS check valid?
A DBS check has no formal expiry date – it is essentially a snapshot of on the issue date.
The information disclosed is accurate only up to that point in time. That means a DBS Check certificate doesn’t “expire” like a passport would; however, as time passes, new convictions or cautions (if any occur) would not be reflected on that old certificate. Employers should always check the date of issue on a DBS Check certificate and decide if a new check is needed based on how old it is.
In many sectors, it’s considered good practice (or even required by regulatory bodies) to renew DBS Checks periodically. A common interval is every 3 years, but this can vary. Some organisations require a fresh check annually or every two years for certain sensitive roles.
What is the e-bulk system?
E-Bulk was introduced by the Disclosure & Barring Service to facilitate a more efficient and quicker means of submitting applications.
The system adopts a two way data transfer and so application results and tracking codes are also sent to CRBonline and can be accessed usually with 2-3 hours. The e-bulk system was adopted by CRBonline as it negated the need for paper forms and gave our users a quicker and easier system to use. When DBS Check applications are submitted using CRBonline they are sent to the Disclosure & Barring Service within several minutes, ensuring a faster turn around.
What is the Children's Barred List?
It’s a confidential list maintained by the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) that includes individuals who are legally barred from working with children.
It is entirely possible for an individual to have no criminal record, but be legally barred from working with Children. That individual would be included on the Children’s Barred List.
An Enhanced DBS Check can either include a check against Children’s Barred List or not, it depends if the role is eligible. For someone working solely with Adults for example, the role wouldn’t be eligible for a Children’s Barred List check.
There is no cost difference between an Enhanced DBS Check with Children’s Barred List, and an Enhanced DBS Check without Children’s Barred Lists check.
How do I track a DBS Check application?
All the tracking information for a DBS Application is available at the fingertips of both Employers and Applicants, by logging into our platform.
You can easily see where it is in the process, then once it is with DBS, there is a dedicated button to link you to Disclosure and Barring Service’s own tracking system.
What is a Home-Based Position?
A Home Based position is used to describe a position where the DBS Check Applicant is undertaking the regulated activity in their own home.
For example, a Music Teacher that teaches children in the Teacher’s own home will be a Home Based position.
A home care worker, that performs personal care with a vulnerable adult in that vulnerable adult’s own home is NOT a Home-Based position for the DBS Check.
Home-Based positions get additional checks applied by Local Police, so it is important only genuinely qualifying positions are marked as Home Based.
There is no cost difference between an Enhanced DBS Check for a Home-Based position, and for an Enhanced DBS Check for a non-Home Based position.
What is the DBS Update Service?
The DBS Update Service is a subscription-based option provided by the Disclosure and Barring Service that allows individuals and employers to keep DBS checks current and easily verify their status online. It essentially transforms a one-off DBS certificate into a continually updateable record.
After receiving a Standard DBS or Enhanced DBS Certificate, an individual can subscribe to the Update Service for £16 per year. This must be done within 30 days of the certificate’s issue date, or during the application process using the form reference number.
Once subscribed, the certificate remains active on the system, allowing the person to reuse it for multiple positions—provided the roles require the same level of check and apply to the same workforce type (e.g., working with children or adults). To keep the service active, the subscription must be renewed every year.
With the individual’s consent, employers can carry out a free, instant online check to confirm whether the certificate status has changed. The system will return one of two results:
“This Certificate is up to date” – no new information has been added.
“Certificate needs to be renewed” or “Contact DBS” – suggesting there may be new or relevant updates, and a new DBS check might be needed.
The check is done using the certificate number, the individual’s name, and date of birth, with their permission.
Can a DBS Check Certificate be used for more than one job?
There are no rules from Disclosure and Barring Service as to whether a DBS Check is ‘portable’ between employers. It is down to an organisation’s own policies as to whether they accept a DBS Check Certificate that another employer has obtained.
Most organisations do not accept DBS Check Certificates from anywhere else, since it is impossible to be sure that the DBS Check was obtained with accurate information.
Who pays for DBS Checks, Employers or Employees?
There are no rules on who must pay for DBS Checks for employment. It is up to an Employer’s own policies to determine whether they pay or require the Employee to pay.
CRBonline has a feature that allows Employers to allocate invoices to Applicants to pay for DBS Checks directly from their platform login, rather than the Employer having to pay, and then recover the costs from the Applicant.
What are 'filtered' cautions and convictions?
Filtering is the process used to determine which criminal records are shown on a Standard DBS Checks or Enhanced DBS Checks. Some older or less serious offences are not included in these DBS Checks, these are referred to as ‘protected’ offences.
However, there is a list of ‘specified offences’ that are always disclosed, unless they involve a youth caution. These typically involve serious violence, sexual offences, or matters important to the safeguarding of children or vulnerable adults.
Additionally, any conviction that resulted in a custodial sentence — even if it was suspended — will always appear on an Enhanced DBS Check or Standard DBS Check certificate.
Finally, most youth cautions, warnings, and reprimands will no longer be automatically disclosed on an Enhanced DBS Check or Standard DBS Check certificate, except for Youth Conditional Cautions, which may still appear.
More information can be found here.
Do I need to see the original DBS certificate, or is a copy enough?
As an employer, you should see the original DBS certificate presented by the applicant. Photocopies, scans, or PDF versions are not considered valid because they could be altered or forged. The DBS certificate has various security features (watermarks, special paper, etc.) that are only verifiable on the original document.
Organisations that use CRBonline will also get an electronic snapshot DBS certificate. If this indicates the DBS Check is clear, an organisation may reasonably determine they don’t need to see the paper copy of the DBS Check certificate. Whereas, if this indicates it is not clear, then they most definitely should
Does a DBS Check cover overseas criminal records?
No – a DBS check only covers criminal records from UK sources and does not automatically include criminal history from other countries. While it checks records from England and Wales and includes any relevant data from Scotland and Northern Ireland recorded on the UK-wide Police National Computer, it does not access foreign criminal records.
This means that if an applicant has lived or worked abroad, offences committed outside the UK typically won’t appear on their DBS Check certificate. For employers, this creates a potential gap in background information. The DBS recommends that in such cases, you consider requesting an overseas criminal record check, often referred to as a Certificate of Good Conduct, from the relevant country.
Most countries have their own procedures for issuing police clearance or criminal record certificates to residents and former residents. The UK Government or Home Office website provides detailed guidance on how to obtain these checks for different countries.
When hiring someone who has spent significant time overseas, it’s important to account for this limitation and seek additional checks where necessary.