Individuals and self-employed
A DBS check for yourself
If you need a basic check for a job in England or Wales, you can apply on GOV.UK. You do not have to use a company.
The official service costs £20. It usually takes up to 3 days to process, and the certificate is posted. You will need GOV.UK One Login and five years of addresses. Start on GOV.UK.
When a company is involved
Group A Responsible Organisations can submit a basic check for an individual. They charge an admin fee on top of £20. Group B organisations are on the official list as employers or third parties only. If one of them also sells a personal check, the profile says so, because the website and the official group do not match.
Many umbrella bodies will not take an application from a private individual for a standard or enhanced check. Those checks depend on the role. Some self-employed roles, such as private tutoring or care arranged by the person receiving it, can now be applied for by the worker. That change is described on provider pages from January 2026. It is not a reason to buy an enhanced check for a role that is not eligible.