Basic DBS check
A Basic DBS check is the lowest level of check and the only one anyone can apply for themselves, with no eligibility restriction. It shows unspent convictions and conditional cautions, and, importantly, being available to anyone is not the same as being the level a role needs.
This guidance is maintained by the Complys team and reviewed against the primary DBS and GOV.UK sources listed above, and it was last reviewed on 24 September 2026. It is general information, not legal advice, and DBS rules can change, so always confirm against the official sources.
What a Basic check shows, and doesn’t
A Basic check discloses unspent convictions and conditional cautions. [GOV.UK] It does not show spent convictions or cautions, any information held by local police, or whether a person is on a barred list, those appear only on the higher levels. A Basic certificate is a point-in-time criminal-record check; it is not a judgement of someone’s suitability for a role.
Who can apply, and the Update Service
You can apply for a Basic check yourself, or an employer may ask you to get one. [GOV.UK] The DBS Update Service does not cover Basic checks, it is for Standard and Enhanced certificates only, so a Basic check is obtained fresh each time it is needed. [GOV.UK] See the Update Service guide.
Fee
A Basic check costs ÂŁ21.50 until 4 October 2026, and ÂŁ20 from 5 October 2026. [GOV.UK] Unlike Standard and Enhanced checks, a Basic check is not free for volunteers, the fee applies to everyone. [GOV.UK]
| DBS check | Price through Complys (all-in) | Includes statutory DBS fee |
|---|---|---|
| Basic DBS check | ÂŁ32.99 | ÂŁ20 |
| Standard DBS check | Not available online yet | ÂŁ20 |
| Enhanced DBS check | ÂŁ54.99 | ÂŁ41 |
The price shown is the total you pay through Complys - there is nothing to add, and no VAT is charged (Complys is not VAT registered). It already includes the statutory DBS fee set by the Disclosure and Barring Service, shown in the last column for transparency; the DBS fee is not Complys revenue. Qualifying volunteer checks have no statutory DBS fee - ask us before ordering.
How long a Basic check takes
A Basic check is usually the quickest of the three levels because it does not involve a separate check with local police forces. Many are completed within a couple of weeks, and often faster once the application is submitted with correct details and verified identity. As with every level, the most common cause of delay is an incomplete application or an identity check that does not clear first time, so getting the applicant’s details and ID right at the outset is the best way to keep it fast.
Basic check, “basic disclosure” and “CRB”
A Basic check is sometimes called a “basic disclosure”. In England and Wales the check is issued by the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS); in Scotland the equivalent is issued by Disclosure Scotland, which uses the term “basic disclosure”. You may also still hear the phrase “CRB check”, that is the old name for DBS checks generally, dating from before the Criminal Records Bureau merged into the DBS in December 2012. If someone asks you for a “basic disclosure” or a “basic CRB check” for a role in England or Wales, a Basic DBS check is what they mean.
When employers ask for a Basic check
Because a Basic check is available for any role, employers often use it for general recruitment where a role is not eligible for a higher level, for example ordinary office, retail, warehouse, driving or trade roles, and as a proportionate way to confirm unspent convictions when there is no legal basis for a Standard or Enhanced check. The certificate is issued to the individual, not the employer, so an employer normally asks the applicant to obtain the check and show the certificate; the employer should record only that the check was seen, its date and its outcome, not keep a copy of its contents. [GOV.UK] An individual can also obtain a Basic check simply for their own use. [GOV.UK]
Available, not automatically required
Because anyone can get one, it is tempting to treat a Basic check as the “default” when a higher level has not been established. It is not. If a role is eligible for a Standard or Enhanced check, that is the level to establish; and if it is not, a Basic check is simply available, you do not need a Basic DBS merely because a higher level was not proven. [GOV.UK] Work out the right level first with which DBS check do I need?
Is a Basic check the right step?
| Situation | Is Basic available? | Who applies | Likely next step |
|---|---|---|---|
| No contact with children/adults, not a listed profession | Yes | You, or your employer may ask | A Basic check is the level available |
| A role that might be eligible for Standard/Enhanced | Yes, but may not be the right level | , | Check eligibility first before defaulting to Basic |
| Employer policy asks for a Basic check | Yes | You or the employer | Obtain the Basic certificate |
Basic vs a higher-level check
| Basic | Standard / Enhanced | |
|---|---|---|
| Eligibility | None, available to anyone | Only specific eligible roles |
| Who can request | The individual (or an employer) | An organisation (Enhanced also has a self-employed route from 21 Jan 2026) |
| Shows | Unspent convictions & conditional cautions | Spent & unspent (Enhanced adds police information and, where relevant, barred-list status) |
| On the Update Service | No | Yes |
Worked examples
| The role | Likely direction (confirm) |
|---|---|
| Ordinary office role, no vulnerable-group contact | Basic available |
| Self-employed tradesperson | Basic available, apply yourself |
| Ordinary driver (goods or general public) | Basic available, no eligibility from driving itself |
| Volunteer in a non-eligible role | Basic available, and a Basic check is not free for volunteers |
| Contractor with no qualifying duties | Basic available |
| Role where employer policy asks for a Basic check | Basic (available); the certificate belongs to the individual |
Not sure which level applies?
Our free DBS eligibility guidance checker walks you through the official criteria and points you to the guidance to confirm against. It is guidance, not a legal determination.
Open the DBS eligibility checker →Where Complys fits
Complys does not carry out DBS checks. It helps you keep the record that a check was done, its level and date, and review reminders against each worker, within the official handling rules (see DBS record keeping & compliance).
FAQs
Can I get a Basic DBS check on myself?
Yes. Anyone can apply for a Basic check for themselves, there is no eligibility restriction, and an employer may also ask you to get one. This is different from Standard and Enhanced checks, which an individual cannot generally request for themselves.
Is a Basic check covered by the Update Service?
No. The DBS Update Service is for Standard and Enhanced certificates only. If you rely on Basic checks you obtain a new one when needed.
How long does a Basic DBS check take?
A Basic check is usually the quickest level because it does not involve a check with local police forces. Many are completed within a couple of weeks, and often faster, once the application is submitted with correct details and verified identity. An incomplete application or a failed identity check is the most common avoidable delay.
Is a Basic check the same as a 'basic disclosure'?
Yes. 'Basic disclosure' is another name for a Basic check. In England and Wales it is issued by the DBS; in Scotland the equivalent is issued by Disclosure Scotland, which uses the term 'basic disclosure'. A 'basic CRB check' means the same thing, 'CRB' is the pre-2012 name for DBS checks.
Is a Basic check free for volunteers?
No. Unlike Standard and Enhanced checks, which are free for people who meet the DBS definition of a volunteer, a Basic check carries the standard fee for everyone, including volunteers.
Who sees the Basic certificate, me or my employer?
The certificate is issued to you, the applicant, not to the employer. If an employer needs to see it, you show it to them. The employer should record only that the check was seen, its date and its outcome, and must handle the information in line with the official rules, they should not keep a copy of its contents.
Related DBS guides
- Standard DBS checkWhat a Standard DBS check shows (spent and unspent convictions and cautions), who is eligible, who can request it (an organisation via a Registered Body or umbrella body, not the individual), the fee with the 5 October 2026 change, and how it differs from Enhanced.
- Enhanced DBS checkWhat an Enhanced DBS check shows, the four variants (with or without a children’s or adults’ barred-list check), who is eligible, who can request it (including the 21 January 2026 self-employed route), the fee with the 5 October 2026 change, and why a barred-list check is not automatic.
- Which DBS check do I need?Basic, Standard, Enhanced or Enhanced with a barred-list check? Eligibility depends on the role's actual duties, setting and regulated-activity status, not the job title. A UK employer guide.
- DBS checks for employersHow UK employers establish eligibility, request the correct level of DBS check through the proper route, check identity, handle certificates lawfully and keep safer-recruitment records.
Official sources and further guidance
- Check someone's criminal record, types of check you can make, GOV.UK
- DBS Update Service, GOV.UK
- DBS reduces fees for checks and Update Service from 5 October 2026, GOV.UK / Disclosure and Barring Service
- DBS check application process for volunteers, GOV.UK / Disclosure and Barring Service
- Handling of DBS certificate information, GOV.UK / Disclosure and Barring Service
- Private individuals employing self-employed workers or personal employees, GOV.UK / Disclosure and Barring Service
- DBS eligibility guidance, GOV.UK / Disclosure and Barring Service
This guidance is maintained by the Complys team and reviewed against the primary DBS and GOV.UK sources listed above, and it was last reviewed on 24 September 2026. It is general information, not legal advice, and DBS rules can change, so always confirm against the official sources.