GOV.UK
Disclosure and Barring Service
Barring Service
Featured
News story
Updated announcement from Dr Gillian Fairfield, DBS Chairman
An updated announcement from Dr Gillian Fairfield, who was appointed as DBS Chairman in December 2018.
News story
Upcoming changes to the enhanced disclosure application process
The changes, once implemented, will affect both applicants and Registered Bodies.
News story
Organisations registered with DBS to submit disclosure checks
Responsible Organisations, Registered Bodies and Umbrella Bodies - do you know the difference?
News story
DBS email addresses have changed
In partnership with the Home Office, email addresses across DBS have changed.
News story
Independent Monitor, Julia Wortley, discusses her new role
New Independent Monitor for the DBS discusses safeguarding, meeting staff and disclosure processes.
Detailed guide
DBS online account guidance
Information regarding a DBS online account and the services available to you as a barring or basic check customer.
Latest from the Disclosure and Barring Service
What the Disclosure and Barring Service does
The Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) helps employers make safer recruitment decisions on more than four million people every year.
DBS is an executive non-departmental public body, sponsored by the Home Office.
Documents
Services
- DBS certificate disputes and fingerprint consent forms
- Report a problem about a criminal record check or barring decision
Guidance and regulation
See all guidance and regulationNews and communications
- Upcoming changes to the enhanced disclosure application process
- Updated announcement from Dr Gillian Fairfield, DBS Chairman
Research and statistics
See all research and statisticsPolicy papers and consultations
See all policy papers and consultationsTransparency and freedom of information releases
See all transparency and freedom of information releasesOur management
Contact DBS
DBS disclosure service
PO Box 3961
Royal Wootton Bassett
SN4 4HF
United Kingdom
DBS helpline
03000 200 190
Minicom
03000 200 192
Welsh
03000 200 191
International
+44151 676 9390
The phone lines are open 8am to 6pm Monday to Friday, and 10am to 5pm on Saturday. You may be asked some security questions to verify your identity. All calls to this number are recorded for record keeping, training and quality assurance.
If emailing us, please include your full name, address telephone number and, if relevant, any DBS references numbers in your correspondence. We cannot guarantee the security of information until it is in our possession, and will not take responsibility for such information until we receive it.
Go to the DBS online tracking service to check on the progress of an application. Tracking an application is much quicker online. The link to this service is available at the top of this homepage.
DBS certificate disputes
Liverpool
L69 3JD
United Kingdom
Telephone
03000 200 190
Contact us if you think your DBS certificate is wrong. This can include incorrect personal details, incorrect conviction information or other discrepancies. If you receive a DBS certificate with a conviction that doesn't relate to you, you should also inform the person who requested that you complete the form as soon as possible.
The phone line for certificate disputes is open 9am to 5pm, Monday to Friday only.
Sensitive applications
Customer services
PO Box 165
Liverpool
L69 3JD
United Kingdom
Transgender applicants are protected in legislation and are not obliged to include details indicating a previous gender in their application form.
The DBS has a process in place which allows any details indicating a previous gender to be checked without being disclosed on the completed certificate.
They are, however, required by law to provide all name details to the DBS in their current and any previous identity. Deliberately withholding this information may be an attempt to prevent conviction information being revealed and is an offence.
If emailing, we cannot guarantee the security of information until it is in our possession, and will not take responsibility for such information until we receive it.
DBS barring
PO Box 3963
Royal Wootton Bassett
SN4 4HH
United Kingdom
Telephone:
03000 200 190
We cannot guarantee the security of information until it is in our possession, and will not take responsibility for such information until we receive it. For this reason we recommend submitting referrals via our secure online referral form, however if you are using a paper referral form we recommend using registered post.
You can also use Webchat on DBS online services to contact us about any general enquiries.
FOI requests
Policy Department
PO Box 165
Liverpool
L69 3JD
United Kingdom
If you wish to submit a new request under the Freedom of Information Act please contact the DBS.
Most requests are free of charge but you may need to pay a small amount for photocopies or postage. When you submit a request we'll let you know if you have to make a payment.
DBS legal services
Stephenson House
Alderman Best Way
Darlington
DL1 4WB
United Kingdom
Address to be used for the service of legal documents.
DBS does not accept service by email.
Make an FOI request
- Read about the Freedom of Information (FOI) Act and how to make a request.
- Check our previous releases to see if we’ve already answered your question.
Corporate information
Jobs and contracts
Read about the types of information we routinely publish in our Publication scheme. Find out about our commitment to publishing in Welsh. Our Personal information charter explains how we treat your personal information.