How to apply for a DBS check
There is no single “apply” button for DBS checks. The right route depends on which level the role is eligible for and who you are — an individual, an organisation requesting a check, or a self-employed person. This page explains the three routes and where each application actually goes.
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.
First establish the level. The level a role qualifies for is fixed by its actual duties, not chosen for convenience — see which DBS check do I need. Applying for a check does not create eligibility for it. [GOV.UK]
The three routes
| Situation | Level | How the application is made |
|---|---|---|
| An individual wants a check for any purpose | Basic | Apply yourself, directly, via GOV.UK. |
| An organisation needs a check for an eligible role | Standard or Enhanced | Requested by the organisation through a Registered Body / umbrella body — an individual cannot self-apply. |
| A self-employed person in an eligible role | Enhanced (+ barred list where the role is regulated activity) | Since 21 January 2026, apply for your own via a DBS umbrella body. [GOV.UK] A Standard check still cannot be self-applied. |
The reason Standard and Enhanced checks cannot be applied for by an individual (other than the self-employed route above) is that they exist for eligible roles: an organisation asserts the role’s eligibility and requests the check through the proper route. [GOV.UK]
Identity, then submission
Every route requires the applicant’s identity to be verified to the DBS standard before the application is submitted. For organisation-requested checks this is usually done by the employer or the body handling the application; for a Basic check you provide your identity details as part of the online application. The official guidance lists the exact documents accepted. [GOV.UK]
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 →After you apply
Turnaround is not guaranteed and varies by level and case — see how long a DBS check takes, which also covers tracking an application in progress. Once a certificate is issued, registering it with the DBS Update Service can let an eligible check be kept current and reused without reapplying each time. [GOV.UK]
Where Complys fits
Complys does not apply for, submit or process DBS checks — applications go through GOV.UK, a Registered Body or an umbrella body. Complys helps you establish the correct level first, then record that a check was completed and its date and keep review reminders against each role (see DBS record keeping & compliance).
FAQs
Can I apply for my own DBS check?
You can apply for your own Basic check for any purpose. You cannot apply for your own Standard check — it must be requested by an organisation. Since 21 January 2026, if your role is eligible, a self-employed person can apply for their own Enhanced or Enhanced-with-barred-list check through a DBS umbrella body.
How does an employer request a Standard or Enhanced check?
Through a Registered Body (or an umbrella body), which submits the application on the organisation's behalf. The organisation must first be satisfied the role is eligible for the level requested — eligibility comes from the role's duties, not from choosing a level to be safe.
What do I need to apply?
Proof of identity to the DBS identity-verification standard, and — for Standard and Enhanced checks — an eligible role and the organisation's application route. The exact documents are set out in the official guidance.
How long does it take and can I reuse the certificate?
Turnaround varies by level and case; see our processing-time guide. Registering the certificate with the DBS Update Service can let an eligible check be reused and kept up to date without reapplying.
Does Complys submit the application for me?
No. Complys does not apply for, submit or process DBS checks. Applications go through GOV.UK, a Registered Body or an umbrella body. Complys helps you record and track checks once they are underway or completed.
Related DBS guides
- 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 for self-employed & contractorsCan a self-employed person get a DBS check themselves, and which level? Since 21 January 2026 eligible self-employed workers can apply for their own Enhanced check via an umbrella body, but the role must still qualify. The Basic, Standard and Enhanced routes explained.
- How long a DBS takesThere is no guaranteed DBS turnaround. What affects processing time by level, why Basic checks are usually quickest, the most common avoidable delays (identity and application errors), and how to track a check in progress.
Official sources and further guidance
- Check someone's criminal record — types of check you can make — GOV.UK
- DBS eligibility guidance — GOV.UK / Disclosure and Barring Service
- DBS checks for self-employed people and personal employees — GOV.UK / Disclosure and Barring Service
- DBS Update Service — GOV.UK
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.