How much does a DBS check cost?
The DBS sets a fee for each level of check, and those fees reduced on 5 October 2026. The level you need — not the price — should decide the check; work out the right level first, then budget for it.
This guidance is maintained by the Complys team and reviewed against the primary DBS / GOV.UK sources listed above (last reviewed 24 September 2026). It is general information, not legal advice, and DBS rules can change — always confirm against the official sources.
Current DBS fees
These are the DBS fees per level. [GOV.UK] A Registered Body or umbrella body usually adds its own administration fee on top for processing the application, so the total a provider charges can be higher than the DBS fee alone.
| DBS product | DBS fee until 4 Oct 2026 | DBS fee from 5 Oct 2026 |
|---|---|---|
| Basic | £21.50 | £20 |
| Standard | £21.50 | £20 |
| Enhanced (with or without a barred-list check) | £49.50 | £41 |
| Update Service | £16 / year | £15 / year |
The DBS fee is the statutory fee charged by the Disclosure and Barring Service — it is not a Complys charge. A separate Complys processing fee will apply when DBS applications become available through Complys — the full price will always be shown before you submit. Qualifying volunteer checks have no DBS fee. The reduced DBS fees take effect on 5 October 2026.
Volunteers
Standard and Enhanced checks are free of the DBS fee for people who meet the DBS definition of a volunteer. [GOV.UK] A Basic check is not free for volunteers — it carries the standard fee for everyone. A provider may still charge an administration fee even when the DBS fee is waived. See DBS checks for volunteers.
Who pays, and how to avoid paying twice
There is no fixed legal rule about who pays. What often saves money over time is the DBS Update Service: for eligible Standard and Enhanced certificates it can, with the individual’s consent, be kept current and status-checked online rather than paying for a fresh check each time. [GOV.UK] It does not cover Basic checks.
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 and does not charge a DBS fee. It helps you keep track of which workers have been checked, at what level, and when a review is due — so you are not paying for unnecessary rechecks or missing required ones. See DBS record keeping & compliance.
FAQs
How much does a DBS check cost?
The DBS sets the fee for each level, and from 5 October 2026 the fees reduced. See the table above for the current amounts. On top of the DBS fee, a Registered Body or umbrella body usually adds its own administration fee for processing the application — so the total you pay a provider can be higher than the DBS fee alone.
Are DBS checks free for volunteers?
Standard and Enhanced checks are free of the DBS fee for people who meet the DBS definition of a volunteer. A Basic check is not free for volunteers — it carries the standard fee for everyone. A provider may still charge an administration fee even where the DBS fee is waived.
Who pays for a DBS check?
There is no fixed legal rule that the employer or the individual must pay — it is a matter of arrangement and, for some sectors, policy or funding. Basic checks can be applied for by the individual; Standard and Enhanced checks are requested through an organisation, which typically handles payment and may or may not pass on the cost.
Does the Update Service cost extra?
The Update Service is a separate annual subscription (free for volunteers). It lets an eligible Standard or Enhanced certificate be kept up to date and, with consent, status-checked online — which can avoid paying for a brand-new check each time. It does not cover Basic checks.
Why do the fees change?
The DBS periodically reviews its fees. The 5 October 2026 change was a reduction. Because fees change, always confirm the current amount against the official DBS fees page before quoting a cost.
Related DBS guides
- DBS Update ServiceHow the DBS Update Service works for employers: it covers Standard and Enhanced certificates only, needs the individual's consent and your legal entitlement, and what a status check does and does not tell you.
- DBS for volunteersDo volunteers need a DBS check, and is it free? Volunteer status sets the fee, not the level — the role’s duties decide eligibility. What is free, what is not, and how the 1 September 2026 change affects volunteers.
- 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.
Official sources and further guidance
- 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
- DBS Update Service — GOV.UK
- Check someone's criminal record — types of check you can make — GOV.UK
- DBS eligibility guidance — GOV.UK / Disclosure and Barring Service
This guidance is maintained by the Complys team and reviewed against the primary DBS / GOV.UK sources listed above (last reviewed 24 September 2026). It is general information, not legal advice, and DBS rules can change — always confirm against the official sources.