Guide
Basic DBS check
A basic DBS check is the only level an individual can apply for without an employer, and the official price is £20.
What it shows
It shows unspent convictions and conditional cautions under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974. It does not show spent convictions or police intelligence. Some cautions become spent quickly. GOV.UK uses the example of some cautions disappearing after 3 months.
It is for work in England and Wales. You can live in Scotland or Northern Ireland and still use it if the job is in England or Wales. Scotland and Northern Ireland have their own disclosure services.
How long it takes and what it costs
GOV.UK says it usually takes up to 3 days for the application to be processed. A paper certificate is then posted. The service runs from 8am to 11:30pm. You prove your identity with GOV.UK One Login and give five years of addresses.
The fee is £20. That includes a basic check for a volunteer: only standard and enhanced volunteer applications are free of the DBS fee. A provider’s “from” price is the £20 plus their admin fee, and sometimes an identity-check fee.
Group A and Group B
Responsible Organisations in Group A can submit basic checks for individuals and for employers. Group B organisations can submit them for employers or third parties only. The public list, updated on 4 November 2026, is the source for which group a named organisation is in.
If you are applying for yourself, start with the GOV.UK service. Use a Group A provider only if you want their process and you have checked the admin fee.