Skip to main content
Guidance

DBS Update Service: guide for applicants

Guidance for applicants regarding the DBS update service, including how to join and how to renew your subscription.

Updates to this page

From:
Disclosure and Barring Service
Published:
23 May 2013
Last updated:
5 October 2026
Show all updates

  1. Fees have been updated as per Oct 26 fee reduction.

  2. Information surrounding name changes has been clarified.

  3. Welsh translation updated.

  4. Information has been rewritten to be clearer and easier to read for applicants

  5. Information about manual and automatic renewals has been clarified to make it easier for users to understand

  6. Section added to explain that applicants should have control of their Update Service subscription, and what to do if they don't.

  7. Fees for the Update Service have been updated

  8. Information about volunteer subscriptions has been updated

  9. Information added regarding automatic renewals.

  10. Style changes made to document. Language simplified based on user feedback. No changes to the service or how it is used.

  11. Welsh translation added for update service payment information.

  12. Information added regarding payment for the update service.

  13. Information added clarifying that the update service is not available for basic checks.

  14. Updated the renewals section. Add donotreply@dbs.gsi.gov.uk to your email safe senders or safe recipients list so you get your renewal reminder.

  15. Updated to explain that a subscription must be renewed by the day before the subscription expiry date.

  16. Added information about renewing an update service subscription to the second section of the guide 'Joining the update service'.

  17. Added more information about monitoring statuses, certificate changes and status checks.

  18. Added the applicant guide in Welsh.

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

  20. Added more information about the ID number that applicants need to make a note of when they join the update service.

  21. Update to question 47 in the FAQ section.

  22. Wording of application reference changed to application form reference. Also added more information about applicant actions when there is a status change.

  23. Amendment to question 41.

  24. Updated in response to customer feedback.

  25. Version 3.2 added with additional guidance.

  26. New version 3.1

  27. New version.

  28. Minor amendment to document.

  29. Updated with version 2.

  30. First published.

Documents

DBS Update Service: applicant guide

HTML

Gwasanaeth diweddaru’r DBS: canllaw i ymgeiswyr

HTML

Details

This page contains guidance for applicants on using the Update Service.

Sign up for emails or print this page

Related content