BASIC DBS Checks for individuals

Individuals are only eligible to apply for a Basic DBS (CRB) check or Basic Disclosure. This check is available to anyone living in England or Wales and is a search carried out by the Disclosure & Barring Service (DBS). When issued, the Basic DBS certificate will show any unspent criminal convictions and conditional cautions. The certificate will belong to you and it will be your responsibility to show it on request. 

Apply for a Basic DBS Check in minutes!

DBS FEE: £21.50 NO VAT + OUR ADMIN FEE: £28.50 INC VAT + ONLINE ID VERIFICATION: £6 INC VAT

WHAT IS A BASIC DBS CHECK?

A Basic Disclosure or Basic DBS is a search for any 'unspent' convictions or conditional cautions on your record. The Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) conduct these checks for people working in England or Wales. For applicants in Scotland, these checks would be completed by Disclosure Scotland.  

Basic DBS checks are available to anyone who needs one, employer or individual. They provide a snapshot of someone's criminal record and can help employers make safe, informed hiring decisions. Safeguarding society is our mission and safer recruitment is vital to achieving this.

how do i apply for a Basic DBS Check?

Completing your Basic DBS Check with Personnel Checks takes literally a few minutes. Simply start your application from the buttons on this page, complete the information, and pay for your check. Then you’ll just need to upload some ID (you can find a full guide on this process here) and confirm your personal details.

Then just sit back, relax and wait for your certificate to arrive in the post. It really is that easy!

Why can I only have a Basic DBS Check?

Standard and Enhanced DBS Checks are only available for organisations applying on behalf of their employees/contractors. They are generally reserved for individuals carrying out ‘regulated activity’. 

The DBS and UK Government stipulate this. Therefore, under no circumstances can any DBS (CRB) checking company organise Standard or Enhanced DBS checks for individuals.

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 Individual Basic DBS FAQs

  • A Basic Disclosure (also known as a Police Act Disclosure) is a certificate which confirms if an individual currently has any Unspent Convictions under The Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974. This level of check is carried out by the Government organisation the' Disclosure and Barring Service.

    An unspent conviction is a conviction that is either quite recent or quite severe. It will show up on an applicant's record because it has either only just happened or it was a very severe conviction.

    This certificate can be applied by anyone, individuals or organisations can apply for these checks. The Basic check usually takes approximately 2 weeks to be processed.

  • Unfortunately, you cannot process either Standard or Enhanced DBS Check online as an individual.

    This is because these checks are reserved for use by employers who need to make suitability decisions on individuals working within regulated activity.

  • If you’re self-employed it can be difficult getting an Enhanced DBS Check as there needs to be someone making a suitability decision based on the result of the check.

    This can usually be done by the organisation or agency contracting your services. You can find more information here.

  • If you’re self-employed it can be difficult getting a Standard DBS Check. This is because there needs to be someone making a suitability decision based on the result of the check.

    This can usually be done by the organisation or agency contracting your services. You can find more information here.

  • Online ID Verification is a way to confirm your identity during an Online DBS Check. Online ID Verification is built into the Personnel Checks product.

    You simply upload the required ID to our Online ID portal and take a selfie.

    Once you have completed this successfully, your data is automatically populated onto the application form, straight from the documents you’ve uploaded.

    This makes the application process quicker and significantly reduces the risk of typos and other errors by removing the need for manual data entry.

  • When applying for a check you need certain documents and depending on the level of the check, these can differ.

    For a Basic DBS Check you are required to provide one form of ID. Usually, 2 are required, but our Online ID Verification service removes the requirement for a supporting document.

    For Online ID Verification, there are only 3 documents that can be used: Passport, Driving Licence, or, Biometric Residence Permit.

    If you do not have these documents available, you can find more information in our guide here.

  • Online ID Verification uses advanced technology to confirm your identity via uploading 2 forms of ID and taking a selfie. This process speeds up the application process by pulling your personal details from your ID documents and populating them on to your form.

    You can find a full guide on how Online ID Verification works here.

  • A whole range of different jobs require a DBS Check in place.

    Contract work carried out in schools or hospitals usually require an Enhanced DBS Check. Some companies simply have a policy that all contractors have a Basic DBS Check in place before they will work together.

    You can find more info here.

  • To track your Basic application easily online, click here. You will just need your form reference number, your date of birth and your surname.

    To track your check over the phone, Applicants and counter-signatories (like MyCheck by Personnel Checks) can call the Disclosure & Barring Service directly on 03000 200 190.

  • DBS Certificates will be posted to the current address as it appears on the application form, whether it is a domestic or overseas address.

    However, the Disclosure and Barring Service will not accept responsibility for certificates that get lost in the post to international addresses.