Collection

DBS Update Service guidance

A collection of guidance, news articles and promotional material for the DBS Update Service.

The Update Service is an online subscription that allows you to keep your standard or enhanced DBS certificate up to date and allows employers to check a certificate online.

At the moment, the Update Service is not available for basic checks.

Ni allwch ddefnyddio’r gwasanaeth diweddaru ar gyfer gwiriad sylfaenol.

Guidance for applicants

You can join the Update Service for standard and enhanced checks as soon as you have your application form reference number. You can request this number when you apply for your DBS check.

You can also join the Update Service with your certificate number when you receive your DBS certificate. If so, you must do so within 30 calendar days of the ‘date of issue’ which is printed on the certificate.

You can log in to the Update Service if you have already joined.

The Update Service is not available for basic checks.

Ni allwch ddefnyddio’r gwasanaeth diweddaru ar gyfer gwiriad sylfaenol.

Guidance for employers

As an employer you can check someone’s DBS certificate status online and get a result straight away.

There’s no registration process or fee for you to check a certificate online, but you must be legally entitled to carry out a check and have the applicant’s consent.

Promotional material

Updates to this page

Published 17 October 2013
Last updated 18 January 2018 + show all updates
  1. Information updated in line with the DBS' new online application for basic checks.

  2. Added a link to the status check website for employers.

  3. Applicants now have 19 calendar to join the DBS update service with their certificate reference number.

  4. Added guidance about renewing your subscription to the update service.

  5. Added links to subscribe to the Update Service or log-in for existing members.

  6. Added the DBS application form insert to tell applicants about the Update Service and online tracking.

  7. First published.