DBS update service: guide for applicants
Guidance for applicants regarding the DBS update service, including how to join and how to renew your subscription.
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The update service is an online subscription that lets you keep your standard or enhanced DBS certificates up-to-date and allows employers to check a certificate if given permission.
The update service is not available for basic DBS checks.
Register for the update service
The update service costs £13 per year, and you can pay by credit or debit card. There is no charge for the update service if you’re a volunteer.
If you are in the process of applying for a standard or enhanced DBS check, you will need your application form reference (this is called ‘form ref’ on your application form) to join the update service. DBS must receive your application within 28 days.
If you have received your DBS certificate, you will need your certificate number to join the update service. You must join within 30 days of the certificate being issued.
Register for the update service here.
Log in to the update service
If you’ve already joined the update service, you can log in here.
Payment for the update service
Payment for the update service will automatically be collected 14 days prior to your subscription end date, using the card details you previously provided. Successful payment will result in your subscription being updated and extended for another year.
Please note, automatic renewals are not by Direct Debit, so if your bank card details change you will need to update these up to 30 days before your current Update Service subscription ends.
If your card details have changed
If your card details have changed, you can update your payment details by logging in to your account, navigating to the screen which allows you to view your correspondence details and selecting the ‘renew subscription’ link.
If your payment is unsuccessful, you will receive an email notification which will tell you when payment is due and how to make the payment.
Payment for the update service (Welsh)
Bydd taliad am y gwasanaeth diweddaru’n cael ei gasglu’n awtomatig 14 diwrnod cyn y dyddiad y daw’ch tanysgrifiad i ben, gan ddefnyddio manylion cerdyn a ddarparwyd gennych ynghynt. Bydd taliad llwyddiannus yn arwain at ddiweddaru’ch tanysgrifiad a’i ymestyn am flwyddyn arall.
Os yw manylion eich cerdyn wedi newid
Os yw manylion eich cerdyn wedi newid, gallwch ddiweddaru’ch manylion talu drwy fewngofnodi i’ch cyfrif, mordwyo i’r sgrîn sy’n eich caniatáu i weld manylion eich gohebiaeth a dewis y ddolen ‘adnewyddu tanysgrifiad’. Os nad yw’ch taliad yn llwyddiannus, byddwch yn derbyn hysbysiad drwy e-bost a fydd yn dweud wrthych pryd fydd taliad yn ddyledus a sut i wneud y taliad.
Renew your subscription
You can renew your subscription either:
- when you first register, by choosing automatic renewal
- up to 30 days before your current subscription ends - but you cannot renew on the last day of your subscription
Log in to your update service account to renew.
If you do not renew your subscription before it ends, you’ll need to apply for a new DBS check and register for the update service again.
Last updated 13 January 2020 + show all updates
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Information added regarding automatic renewals.
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Style changes made to document. Language simplified based on user feedback. No changes to the service or how it is used.
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Welsh translation added for update service payment information.
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Information added regarding payment for the update service.
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Information added clarifying that the update service is not available for basic checks.
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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.
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Updated to explain that a subscription must be renewed by the day before the subscription expiry date.
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Added information about renewing an update service subscription to the second section of the guide 'Joining the update service'.
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Added more information about monitoring statuses, certificate changes and status checks.
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Added the applicant guide in Welsh.
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Applicants now have 19 calendar days to join the update service with their DBS certificate number.
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Added more information about the ID number that applicants need to make a note of when they join the update service.
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Update to question 47 in the FAQ section.
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Wording of application reference changed to application form reference. Also added more information about applicant actions when there is a status change.
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Amendment to question 41.
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Updated in response to customer feedback.
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Version 3.2 added with additional guidance.
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New version 3.1
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New version.
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Minor amendment to document.
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Updated with version 2.
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First published.