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Criminal record checks when you apply for a role

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Checking process

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

You’ll get the form from your employer or a ‘responsible organisation’ - these are organisations registered with the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) to process checks.

You’ll 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 track your DBS check application online.

Receiving your certificate

Certificates have security features to prove they’re genuine, including:

  • a ‘crown seal’ watermark repeated down the right side, visible both on the surface and when held up to the light
  • a background design featuring the word ‘Disclosure’, which appears in a wave-like pattern across both sides of a certificate - the pattern’s 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, register an online services account 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.

DBS customer services
customerservices@dbs.gov.uk
Telephone: 03000 200 190
Welsh: 03000 200 191
International: +44 (0)151 676 9390
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

DBS customer services
PO Box 4961
Swindon
SN4 4SA

Transgender applications

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

DBS sensitive applications team
sensitive@dbs.gov.uk
Telephone: 0300 131 2784
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

Sensitive Applications
Disclosure and Barring Service
PO Box 4961
Swindon
SN4 4SA

View a printable version of the whole guide

This page is Part of Start a new job: step by step

  1. Step 1 Get your National Insurance number

    You'll usually need your National Insurance number when you start your new job.

    1. Find your National Insurance number
    1. Apply for a National Insurance number if you do not already have one

  2. Step 2 Accept the job offer

    The offer might be ‘conditional’ or ‘provisional’, which means you may need to give further details to your new employer or pass pre-employment checks.

    1. Find out about your rights when accepting a job offer

  3. Step 3 Share your details for any employer checks

    Give your new employer what they need to complete any pre-employment checks.

    1. Find out what checks your employer can make
    1. Find out how to prove your right to work
    1. Find out about criminal record checks

  4. Step 4 Review your employment contract

    Your new employer should give you an employment contract. Check the terms before you agree to it.

    1. Find out about employment contracts

  5. and If you're leaving a job, hand in your notice

    Tell your current employer that you’re going to leave and when your last day will be. This is known as handing in your notice.

    1. Find out how to hand in your notice

    When you hand in your notice, ask your employer when you’ll get your P45.

    1. Find out about the P45

  6. Step 5 Prepare your personal information for your first day

    To get paid, you’ll need to give your new employer:

  7. Step 6 Give your P45 to your new employer

    Your new employer will use your P45 to work out how much tax to take from your pay.

    1. Find out about the P45

  8. or If you do not have a P45, fill in the starter checklist

    Use the starter checklist to give your employer details they need to work out your pay and tax.

    1. Fill in the starter checklist

  9. Step 7 Check your first payslip

    Your employer must give you a payslip on or before payday.

    1. Find out what should be on your payslip

    It’s your responsibility to make sure you’re paying the right amount of tax.

    1. Check if the tax on your payslip is correct

    If you think the tax is wrong, your tax code may be incorrect.

    1. Find out what to do if you think your tax code is wrong