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You need to fill in an online or paper form, depending on the type of check you need.

You鈥檒l get the form from your employer or a 鈥榬esponsible organisation鈥� - these are organisations registered with the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) to process checks.

You鈥檒l need to provide documents to prove your identity.

If you need a basic check

Your employer may ask you to request your own check instead.

If you need a standard or enhanced check

You can download a continuation sheet if you need more space to write.

How long it takes

Basic checks take up to 14 days. Enhanced and standard checks usually take around 8 weeks.

It may take shorter or longer, depending on:

• the type of check
• if the details given for the check are correct
• what police forces need to be involved in the check

You can online.

Receiving your certificate

Certificates have security features to prove they鈥檙e genuine, including:

• a 鈥榗rown seal鈥� watermark repeated down the right side, visible both on the surface and when held up to the light
• a background design featuring the word 鈥楧isclosure鈥�, which appears in a wave-like pattern across both sides of a certificate - the pattern鈥檚 colour alternates between blue and green on the reverse
• ink and paper that change colour when wet

Once your check is complete

A DBS check only shows your convictions on the date you get the check.

You can join the update service to make sure your check stays up-to-date if you have a standard or enhanced check.

If you have a basic check, to update your certificate or allow an employer to view it.

Lost certificates

DBS cannot provide replacements for lost or damaged certificates so your employer will have to start the process again.

Contact DBS

Contact the DBS helpline with any questions.

If you send an email include your full name, address, telephone number and any DBS reference numbers.

Transgender applications

Contact the DBS sensitive applications team if you鈥檙e a transgender applicant and you do not want to reveal details of your previous identity to a potential employer.