Frequently Asked Questions
WHAT ARE THE DEFINITIONS OF SELF-EMPLOYED OR PERSONAL EMPLOYEE (FOR DBS PURPOSES)?
- A Self-Employed person is an individual who works for themselves rather than being employed by an organisation. For example, a private maths tutor who offers one-to-one lessons.
- A Personal Employee is someone employed directly by a private individual to deliver services either to them or a member of their family. For example, someone with a Personal Health Budget may directly employ an individual as a carer - this person would be a personal employee.
What Information do applicants need to provide on the online DBS Application form?
Applicants need to provide personal details, for example: full name and any other names ever used, birth details, and a full 5-year address history.
Please note: if you are obtaining a DBS Check for someone else, you must obtain their express permission (in writing) to do so.
How do you verify applicants' ID?
It is a stipulation of the DBS Application process that applicants' ID is verified.
We require applicants to have their ID verified in accordance with the DBS ID Checking Guidelines.
All applicants must upload the stipulated COPIES of their ID documents to their DBS Order Form. The physical ID documents must be checked by a person who is not a relative or a personal friend of the applicant. Applicants must provide the name of the person who checked their ID when completing their DBS Order Form.
Applicants must provide copies of at least 3 x ID documents, as stipulated in the list of acceptable ID documents.
NB: If you are unable to provide these, we CANNOT process a DBS Application for you.
How Long do the checks take?
On average:
- 1-2 weeks to receive a Standard DBS Certificate
- 4-6 weeks to receive an Enhanced DBS Certificate
...from the receipt of a correctly filled-in application form and satisfactory ID Validation (any errors on the application form could cause delays in the processing). Please note: Due to the individual nature of the checks, this time-frame cannot be guaranteed. Seasonal fluctuations and delays occur at certain times of the year, for example, during Christmas and Easter.
Who will receive my DBS Certificate?
Your DBS certificate will be posted to your current home address, which you provide on your DBS Application form. Please note, this address cannot be changed once your DBS Application has been submitted. If you move, it will be your responsibility to arrange for your mail to be redirected to your new address.
HOW LONG WILL MY ONLINE USERNAME/PASSWORD BE VALID FOR?
DBS applications are valid for 3 months from the order date. This is to ensure that the information you provide on your DBS application form is up to date and ensures that the DBS application form you have completed is the official, current, and valid application form at the time. In the event that VAT or Disclosure costs increase during this timeframe, we reserve the right to pass these costs on to you at our discretion. Please note that the fee (paid at the point of creating a DBS Application) is non-refundable.
If you do not complete all steps of your DBS application (which are emailed to you when you complete the DBS order form) within this time frame, your DBS application will be cancelled, and any fee paid will be forfeited.
