The Disclosure and Barring Service has reduced its fees from Monday, 5 October, bringing the price of an enhanced criminal record check down from £49.50 to £41.
Basic and standard checks now cost £20 each, while an annual Update Service subscription costs £15. The reductions were announced on 9 September and take effect today, according to the Disclosure and Barring Service.
What applicants will pay
The revised DBS charges are:
| Service | Previous fee | New fee | Saving |
| Basic check | £21.50 | £20 | £1.50 |
| Standard check | £21.50 | £20 | £1.50 |
| Enhanced check | £49.50 | £41 | £8.50 |
| Update Service | £16 a year | £15 a year |
Enhanced checks receive the largest reduction. DBS says the lower charges do not affect the standard or thoroughness of its checks.
However, the official fee may not be the full amount an applicant pays. Organisations processing applications can add administration charges, which DBS does not set or regulate. Applicants should therefore check the breakdown of any quoted price.
Which check is needed?
The appropriate level depends on the role. Employers can request a basic check for any job, but more detailed checks are restricted to eligible positions, including certain jobs involving children or healthcare.
A basic check shows unspent convictions and conditional cautions. An enhanced check includes more detailed criminal record information and relevant information held by local police. Where a role qualifies, it can also include a check against the relevant barred lists.
DBS arrangements principally cover England and Wales. Scotland and Northern Ireland have separate criminal record checking systems, so applicants should follow the process relevant to their prospective job.
What the Update Service offers
The DBS Update Service allows employers, with the applicant’s permission and the necessary legal entitlement, to check whether information associated with a certificate has changed.
It covers standard and enhanced certificates, rather than basic checks. Applicants joining with an issued certificate must register within 30 days of its issue.
A subscription can help someone use an existing certificate when moving between suitable roles. It does not guarantee that every employer will accept it: a different workforce, check level, or an organisation’s requirements may mean a new certificate is needed. Eligible volunteers can subscribe without charge.
What this means for people arriving from abroad
The fee reduction also applies to migrant applicants using the DBS system. However, a DBS check does not cover periods spent living outside the UK. An employer may request a separate criminal record check from a country where the applicant previously lived.
Trivane View
The reduction is useful, particularly for enhanced checks. Applicants should compare the total charge, including administration fees, and confirm the required check level before paying.
