Standard DBS Checks with CRBonline

Employers choose CRBonline to handle their Standard DBS Checks

Standard DBS Check Within 24 Hours

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

Fast Standard DBS

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

Cost Effective

Our Platform makes the Standard 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 Standard DBS Checks, we are trusted and proven. Thousands of customers appreciate our longevity

All About Standard DBS Checks

What is the Standard DBS Check?

A Standard DBS check is a type of criminal background screening used in the UK to provide employers with information about an individual’s criminal history. It reveals details of any unspent convictions, cautions, reprimands, and warnings that are recorded on the Police National Computer.

Unlike an Enhanced DBS check, the Standard check does not include information from local police forces or any checks against barred lists. It focuses solely on the national record of convictions and related sanctions.

This type of check is generally required for roles that do not involve working directly with vulnerable groups such as children or vulnerable adults but still require some level of vetting. Examples include certain security jobs, financial positions, or other roles where an individual’s criminal background might impact their suitability.

Overall, the Standard DBS check helps employers make informed decisions by providing a clear summary of an applicant’s relevant criminal record.

What does an Standard DBS Check cost?

When applying for a DBS check through an Umbrella Body, the total cost typically includes two parts.

The first part is the fixed fee charged by the Disclosure and Barring Service. This cost remains the same regardless of how many applications are submitted. The fee is £21.50 for an Standard DBS check, including checks with the Adults’ and/or Children’s Barred Lists.

The second part is the administrative fee charged by the Umbrella Body for handling the application. This fee can vary depending on the number of checks being processed.

At CRBonline, admin fees start from £4.00 per application.

Are there eligibility requirements for Standard DBS Checks?

Yes, there are eligibility requirements for Standard DBS checks. Not every job role or situation qualifies for a Standard DBS check; it is only available for certain positions defined by law. Generally, Standard checks are allowed for roles where the law specifically permits them, such as certain jobs in the legal profession, financial services, or some security roles. Employers must have a valid reason, usually based on the nature of the work and legal regulations, to request this level of check.

The applicant must be applying for a position or a regulated activity where the law states that a Standard DBS check is appropriate. It is not available for general or voluntary positions unless those roles are legally covered by the criteria for Standard checks. If a role involves working with children or vulnerable adults, an Enhanced DBS check would usually be required instead.

In summary, Standard DBS checks have to be justified by the nature of the role and must comply with the legal framework governing eligibility. Employers must ensure they are requesting the correct level of check according to the rules set by the Disclosure and Barring Service.

Who can request a Standard DBS Check?

A Standard DBS check can only be requested by employers or organisations that are legally permitted to do so, typically when recruiting for roles eligible for this level of screening. The request must be made as part of a formal recruitment or employment process, where the job or position qualifies under the rules set by the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS).

Individuals cannot apply for a Standard DBS check on their own behalf; it must be requested by a registered employer, licensing body, or an organisation with DBS registration. The employer needs to have a legitimate reason, usually linked to the specific duties of the role, to request a Standard check.

In short, only registered employers or authorised organisations involved in recruitment or licensing for eligible roles have the authority to request a Standard DBS check.

What about Sole Traders?

If you’re a sole trader, the situation with Standard DBS Checks is a bit more complex, but not impossible.

A sole trader cannot apply for a Standard DBS Check on their own because individuals are not permitted to submit this type of check independently.

However, there are two options:

Option 1: Use CRBonline

Sole traders can go through a government-registered Umbrella body, such as CRBonline, to request a Standard DBS Check, but only if the role qualifies under the eligibility criteria.

We will assess whether your role is eligible.

Option 2: Request Through a Contracting Organisation

If you’re working under contract for a hospital, or agency, or other organisation can request the Standard DBS Check for you.

What shows up on a Standard DBS Check?

A Standard DBS Check reveals any unspent convictions, cautions, reprimands, and warnings held on the police national computer that are not filtered out. It includes details of any spent and unspent convictions and cautions that are considered relevant to the role, but does not include police intelligence or information about barred lists. This check is typically used for roles involving certain regulated activities or positions of trust.

What doesn't show up on a Standard DBS Check?

A Standard DBS Check does not include spent convictions or cautions that are filtered out under the filtering rules, meaning older or minor offences that no longer need to be disclosed. It also excludes any police intelligence or local police information that might be shared in an Enhanced DBS check. Additionally, it does not show whether someone is on any barred lists, which are only checked as part of an Enhanced DBS check when relevant.

How to Apply for a Standard DBS Check

CRBonline is an advanced, AI-driven web platform designed to simplify how organisations handle their Standard DBS check processes online. It streamlines every stage by providing intelligent guidance and automation from start to finish.

Getting started is easy. Once your organisation registers, you’ll receive a secure login. You can then add internal users, such as HR or safeguarding staff, and assign them the right permissions to manage Standard DBS checks on your behalf.

To initiate a Standard DBS check, just enter the applicant’s name and email address. The system sends them an invitation to access their application form.

When the applicant sets up their password and begins the form, AI-powered validation guides them to avoid common mistakes, like entering invalid National Insurance numbers or incomplete address histories.

After the applicant completes their part, you’ll be notified to carry out the ID verification. You confirm the documents seen, and the system validates that the correct combination meets legal standards, alerting you once everything is in order.

The platform then guides you to select the appropriate DBS check level (Basic, Standard, or Enhanced), specify the job role, indicate if Barred List checks are needed, state whether the role is voluntary, and confirm if it’s a home-based position. The AI helps prevent errors by flagging eligibility issues based on your selections.

For payment, you can choose from options such as pay-as-you-go, prepaid credit bundles, or delegated billing, where the applicant pays directly—ideal for organisations that require applicants to cover their own DBS costs.

Once payment is confirmed, the application is instantly submitted securely to the Disclosure and Barring Service. Both you and the applicant receive notifications with a unique reference number and a direct link to track the application status in real time.

When the check is complete, the applicant receives their official paper certificate by post, and your organisation gets an electronic summary of the result via the platform. Throughout, the AI-driven system keeps everyone informed with timely updates, ensuring transparency at every step.

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 Standard DBS Checks

When applying for a Standard DBS check through an Umbrella Body, the overall cost usually consists of two components.

The first is a fixed fee set by the Disclosure and Barring Service, which remains the same no matter how many applications are made. For a Standard DBS check, this fee is £21.50.

The second component is the administrative fee charged by the Umbrella Body for processing the application. This fee can vary based on volume. At CRBonline, administration fees begin at £4.00 per application.

If your organisation needs to carry out DBS checks, the first step is to register for a free DBS platform account by clicking here.

After registration, you will receive client login details within one working day, granting access to the portal. From there, you can begin adding individuals who require DBS checks.

Each added person receives their own applicant login to complete their part of the DBS application. When they finish, you’ll be notified so you can log in, complete the ID verification, and select the appropriate DBS check type. The application is then submitted electronically to the Disclosure and Barring Service.

Once processed, the applicant gets the physical certificate by post, and you will be able to access an electronic snapshot of the certificate within one day of it being issued.

The entire process is clearly organised, and the tracking system is simple and easy to navigate.

Applicants applying for a Standard DBS check need to present identification documents to an authorised ID checker within the client organisation. The specific documents required depend on what the applicant can provide, but they must all be current and valid. These rules are established by the Disclosure and Barring Service to guarantee proper identity verification.

For the most current guidelines on accepted documents, visit here

The DBS Update Service is a subscription-based service offered by the Disclosure and Barring Service that allows individuals and employers to keep Standard DBS checks current and verify their status online. Instead of relying on a single, one-time Standard DBS certificate, the Update Service lets individuals maintain an ongoing, up-to-date record.

After receiving a Standard DBS certificate, an individual can join the Update Service for a fee of £16 per year. This subscription must be activated within 30 days of the certificate being issued or during the initial application process by using the certificate’s reference number.

Once subscribed, the same Standard DBS certificate can be used for multiple job roles, as long as the roles require the same level of check and fall within the same workforce category, such as working with children or vulnerable adults. To keep the subscription active, it must be renewed annually.

Employers, with the permission of the individual, can perform a free online status check to confirm if the Standard DBS certificate is still current. The system will indicate whether the certificate is up to date or if it needs to be renewed, or it may prompt the employer to contact the DBS for further investigation.

The online check requires the Standard DBS certificate number, along with the individual’s name and date of birth, and must be conducted with the individual’s consent.

More information can be found here.

A Standard DBS check typically takes around 2 to 5 working days to be processed once the application is submitted. However, the exact time can vary depending on factors such as how quickly the applicant and employer provide the necessary information, the workload at the DBS, and whether any additional checks or clarifications are needed.

In some cases, it might take longer if there are complex issues or if the police require more time to review local information.

Overall, most Standard DBS checks are completed within a week.

A DBS check does not have a formal expiry date; it provides a snapshot of an individual’s criminal record at the time it was issued.

The information is only accurate up to that date. Unlike a passport, it doesn’t expire after a set period, but it will not reflect any new offences or cautions that occur afterward. Because of this, employers should consider the issue date and assess whether a new check is needed based on how old it is and the nature of the role.

In many sectors, particularly those involving vulnerable groups, regularly renewing DBS checks is regarded as good practice and is sometimes required by regulators. A common interval is every three years, though certain positions may require checks annually or every two years.

All tracking information for a Standard DBS application is readily available to both employers and applicants through our platform.

You can easily monitor the progress at every stage. When the application reaches the Disclosure and Barring Service, there is a dedicated button that links directly to their official tracking system for live updates.