How long does a DBS check take?

Short answer

Basic checks usually come back within 24 to 72 hours, standard checks in one to two weeks, and enhanced checks in two to eight weeks depending on the police force involved. The DBS Update Service, at £16 a year, lets an employer confirm an existing certificate online in minutes.

Timing depends entirely on which level of check the role requires, and you cannot simply choose the highest one — requesting a check above the level the law permits for that role is unlawful.

The three levels

Basic — unspent convictions and conditional cautions only. Available for any role, but only the individual can apply for their own. Typically 24 to 72 hours.
Standard — spent and unspent convictions, cautions, reprimands and warnings on the Police National Computer. Only for roles listed in the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975. Usually one to two weeks.
Enhanced — everything in a standard check plus relevant local police intelligence, and, for regulated activity, a barred list check. Two to eight weeks, driven by the workload of the police force holding the intelligence.

For regulated activity — close or unsupervised work with children or adults at risk — do not let someone start unsupervised work before the certificate is back unless you have risk-based safeguards such as supervision by an already-checked colleague. Knowingly employing a barred person in regulated activity is a criminal offence under the Safeguarding Vulnerable Groups Act 2006, as is failing to refer someone who has caused or risks causing harm.

Speeding it up with the Update Service

An individual can subscribe to the DBS Update Service for £16 a year. With their consent an employer can then run a free online status check confirming whether the certificate is still current or new information has appeared — the closest thing to a portable DBS check, and genuinely useful in healthcare, education and social care where staff move often.

Portability has limits. The new role must be the same type and check level as the original, and you must see the original certificate in person before relying on a status check. Enhanced checks include local intelligence that varies by force area, so a certificate obtained for work in one county may miss relevant information after a move — many safeguarding policies require a fresh enhanced check anyway.

Whatever the level, have a written policy on recruiting ex-offenders and on handling the data before you start checking. A conviction does not automatically disqualify anyone outside regulated activity: consider its nature, relevance and age, and give the applicant a chance to discuss it. Certificates are sensitive personal data under UK GDPR and should be securely destroyed once the recruitment decision is made.

Read the full guide: DBS Checks for EmployersCovers eligibility, the process, deadlines, and next steps in depth.

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