Volunteer DBS Checks with CRBonline

Free DBS Checks

Q: How much am I saving with a Free DBS Check?

For Enhanced DBS Checks, it is a saving of £49.50For Standard DBS Checks, it is a saving of £21.50

Free Volunteer DBS Check Within 48 Hours

Your organisation can register quickly with our platform for free and start benefiting from our superior Volunteer Free DBS Check services

Fast Free DBS

The fastest Volunteer DBS Checks available from anywhere. Super modern & intuitive Platform makes processing without delays a breeze

Cost Effective

Our Platform makes the Volunteer DBS Check process easy, which minimises our costs. This means we are up to 70% cheaper than other providers

Established

With over 18 years experience in providing Free DBS Checks, we are trusted and proven. Thousands of customers appreciate our longevity

All About Volunteer DBS Checks

What is the Volunteer DBS Check?

A volunteer DBS check is a criminal record check offered free of charge by the Disclosure and Barring Service for individuals working in unpaid volunteer roles where such checks are required. This Free DBS Check is only available for Standard and Enhanced DBS checks, which are typically needed for roles involving regulated activities with children or vulnerable adults. It’s important to note that Free DBS Checks do not apply to Basic DBS checks, which anyone can request but always come with a fee.

A Free DBS Check is important to ensure the cost of not having a Free DBS Check option, does not either prevent volunteering, or encourage cash sensitive organisations to be less safe.

How are Free DBS Checks different from Paid Positions?

The only difference with a Volunteer DBS Check, is the base DBS fee is zero.

The process, identification requirements, and certificate process for the DBS are identical to the paid position.

Volunteer DBS checks differ from those for paid positions only in terms of cost and eligibility. For volunteers, Standard and Enhanced DBS checks are provided free of charge by the Disclosure and Barring Service.

This financial exemption reflects the voluntary, unpaid nature of the role and helps encourage safer volunteering in sensitive areas.

So it is completely Free DBS Check?

Whilst the Disclosure & Barring Service waive their fee, most umbrella companies like us, will charge an administrative fee.

CRBonline starts at £4.00 per application.

The Free DBS Check element supplied by the DBS reduces the cost of an Enhanced DBS Check by £49.50

Does the Organisation involved have to be a Charity or CIC?

No, an organisation does not have to be a charity to request a volunteer DBS check. While many charities use volunteer DBS checks because they often rely heavily on unpaid volunteers, non-charitable organisations such as community groups, schools, sports clubs, and social enterprises can also apply for volunteer DBS checks for eligible unpaid roles.

The key factor is that the role is genuinely voluntary and meets the criteria for an eligible Standard or Enhanced DBS check, not the charity status of the organisation.

So as long as the role is unpaid, it will qualify as a Volunteer?

Not quite, there are a number of hurdles to clear, it doesn’t solely rely on whether an individual is paid. The following must ALL be true to qualify:

the Applicant must NOT benefit financially from the position for which the application is being submitted
the Applicant must NOT receive any payment (except for travel and other approved out-of-pocket expenses)
the Applicant must NOT be on a work placement
the Applicant must NOT be in a trainee position or undertaking a course of study that will lead to a full-time role/qualification
the Applicant must NOT be a paid foster carer or a member of a foster care household

Is there a definition of Volunteer from DBS?

Yes, for a Free DBS Check, the DBS define a Volunteer as:

‘A person engaged in an activity which involves spending time, unpaid (except for travel and other approved out-of-pocket expenses), doing something which aims to benefit some third party other than, or in addition to, a close relative.’

Do Volunteer DBS Checks take more or less processing time than paid Checks?

Whether a DBS Check is for a volunteer or a paid position, the processing time remains the same. The speed of a Standard or Enhanced DBS check is determined by factors inherent to the application and the individual’s history, such as the level of check requested, the applicant’s address history, and the workload of the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) and local police forces. The only real difference for a Free DBS Check for volunteers is that the DBS waives its fee; this financial aspect has no impact on how quickly the application is processed by the DBS or the police.

Will I know if I have received a Volunteer DBS Check?

All Standard, Enhanced, and Enhanced with Barred Lists DBS certificates now show if a fee has been charged by DBS.

So, applicants will now be able to tell if their certificate was issued for a paid role, or whether they were processed as a Free DBS Check.

Do I have to provide proof of this Volunteer status for a Free DBS Check?

Not usually. You will have to make several declarations for a Free DBS Check that cover the Volunteer DBS Check status requirements.

We’ll only ask for evidence if there is doubt or any circumstances that need clarification.

How do I start processing Free DBS Checks for Volunteers?

CRBonline is an advanced, AI-driven online platform designed to make managing DBS checks easier for organisations, including handling Free DBS checks for volunteers. The system guides you smoothly through each step with smart automation and support.

Getting started is simple. After registering your organisation, you’ll receive a secure login. You can then add team members like HR or safeguarding staff and assign permissions to manage Free DBS checks on behalf of your organisation.

To begin a new Free DBS check, enter the volunteer’s name and email address. The platform sends them an invitation to access their application form.

When the volunteer sets up their password and starts the form, AI-powered validation helps prevent common mistakes such as incorrect National Insurance numbers or missing address details.

Once the volunteer completes their section, you’ll be notified to perform the ID verification. You confirm the documents reviewed, and the system checks that the right combination meets legal standards, alerting you when everything is correct.

Next, you’ll select the DBS check level (Standard, or Enhanced), specify the role, indicate if Barred List checks are required, confirm if it’s a voluntary position, and whether the role is home-based. The AI flags any eligibility issues based on your choices to reduce errors.

At this point you’ll also have to declare whether this is a Volunteer DBS Check, and make the declarations so it is converted to a Free DBS Check.

After confirmation, the application is securely submitted to the Disclosure and Barring Service. Both you and the volunteer receive notifications with a unique reference number and a direct link to track progress in real time.

Once the check is completed, the volunteer receives their official paper certificate by post, while your organisation accesses an electronic summary through the platform. Throughout, the AI system keeps everyone updated with timely information, ensuring full transparency from start to finish.

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 Free DBS Checks and Volunteer DBS Checks

How much am I saving with a Free DBS Check?

For Enhanced DBS Checks, it is a saving of £49.50

For Standard DBS Checks, it is a saving of £21.50

Can I get a Free Basic DBS Check?

No, the Volunteer DBS Checks are only available for Standard and Enhanced DBS Checks.

Which identification documents are required for a Volunteer DBS Check?

Applicants undergoing any DBS check, regardless of whether it is a Free DBS Check for Volunteers, or a paid DBS Check, must provide identification documents to an authorised ID checker within the client organisation. The exact documents required will depend on what the applicant has available, but all must be valid and up to date. These requirements are set by the Disclosure and Barring Service to ensure accurate identity verification.

For the most current guidelines on accepted documents, visit here

Can I get Adults' Barred List or Children's Barred List with a Volunteer DBS Check?

Yes, there as long as the role qualifies, Barred List checks on Free DBS Checks are processed in exactly the same way as paid DBS Checks.

How do I get a Free DBS Checks for my Volunteers?

If you an organisation looking for Free DBS Checks, then you first need to register with us by clicking here

You will receive a client login to our portal within one working day. From there, you can begin adding the individuals who need DBS checks.

Each person will receive their own applicant login to access the portal and complete their part of the DBS application. Once they’ve finished, you’ll be notified. Then you can log into the client side of the portal to carry out the ID checks and select the appropriate DBS check type. We will submit the application electronically to the Disclosure and Barring Service.

After processing is complete, the applicant will receive their physical certificate by post. Within one day of the certificate being issued, you will be able to view an electronic snapshot of the Enhanced DBS certificate.

The entire process is clearly marked at every step, and the tracking system is easy to navigate and understand.

How do I track a Volunteer DBS Check application?

All tracking details for an Volunteer DBS application are easily accessible to both employers and applicants by logging into our platform.

You can clearly see the progress of the application at each stage. Once it reaches the Disclosure and Barring Service, a dedicated button is available to take you directly to their official tracking system for real-time updates.