Basic DBS checks for individuals

Average turnaround time of just 12 hours

Easily track your application and stay up to date

Quickly download results via our secure online platform

Individual Basic DBS check costs

At uCheck, an Individual Basic DBS check costs £41.50 per check. Unlike our other checks, you don’t need to sign up to the uCheck portal.

DBS Fee	uCheck Fee (inc VAT)	Total
£21.50	£20	£41.50 (per check)

DBS Checks for Individuals

What is a Basic DBS check for individuals?

Basic DBS checks (formerly known as ‘CRB checks’) are background checks which show any unspent convictions or conditional cautions, as stated in the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974. Basic DBS checks are the lightest form of check, compared to Standard and Enhanced DBS checks, which provide a lot more detail on former criminal convictions, cautions, or warnings.

Anyone over 16 who is planning to live or work in England or Wales can apply for a Basic Individual DBS check to verify their current criminal record status, without an employer needing to apply on their behalf.

What information shows up on an Individual Basic DBS check?

There are several reasons why you might need an Individual DBS check.

Employment: Some employers require a Basic DBS check as part of their hiring process
Visa applications: Certain countries may request a DBS check as part of their visa and immigration requirements
Personal alcohol licence: A Basic DBS check is required if you’re applying for a personal license to sell alcohol
Volunteering: Some organisations may ask for a DBS check for volunteer work – especially if you’ll be working with the public
Self-employment: A Basic DBS check can act as proof of good character, providing extra trust and security for clients you work with

Update: As of January 2026, eligible self-employed workers can now also apply for Enhanced DBS checks. Find out more about Enhanced DBS Checks for Individuals here.

Basic DBS checks show whether an applicant has any unspent criminal convictions or conditional cautions.

Criminal convictions are considered ‘spent’ after a certain amount of time, depending on the severity of the crime and sentencing. For example, a custodial sentence of less than a year for someone over 18 is considered ‘spent’ after 12 months from the completion of the jail sentence. You can find out more about the sentencing rehabilitation process on the government’s website.

Why would I need to get myself a Basic DBS check?

There are several reasons why you might need an Individual DBS check.

Employment: Some employers require a Basic DBS check as part of their hiring process
Visa applications: Certain countries may request a DBS check as part of their visa and immigration requirements
Personal alcohol licence: A Basic DBS check is required if you’re applying for a personal license to sell alcohol
Volunteering: Some organisations may ask for a DBS check for volunteer work – especially if you’ll be working with the public
Self-employment: A Basic DBS check can act as proof of good character, providing extra trust and security for clients you work with

Update: As of January 2026, eligible self-employed workers can now also apply for Enhanced DBS checks. Find out more about Enhanced DBS Checks for Individuals here.

How to apply for an Individual Basic DBS Check

Applying for an individual check online is easy with the uCheck platform. Simply click the orange ‘Start My Check’ button below to get started!

Here are the four simple steps you need to take:

1. Provide your personal details

Firstly, you’ll need to provide some personal data, such as the last five years of your address history, personal information, and payment details.

2. ID Information

Then, you need to get your ID verified by someone who isn’t a partner or relative. You’ll be sent a separate link to help record which IDs have been independently verified. You can view the list of acceptable documents here on the DBS website.

3. Application Processing

We’ll make some final checks, then send your application to the DBS for processing. Please note: if the DBS have a query on your application, they will come to you directly.

4. Results

We’ll let you know as soon as your application has been processed. You’ll receive your certificate in the post, but you can also log into the uCheck platform to see the summary result online.

*We will always notify you by email. Where you have provided a mobile telephone number we will also send you a text.

Start My Check

Why choose uCheck for Basic DBS checks for individuals?

Rapid turnaround times: Our Basic DBS check turnaround times consistently smash national averages
Easy to use platform: Our platform offers a secure, user-friendly way to apply for DBS checks, track the progress of your application, and download your results
Stay updated: Receive real-time alerts to stay in the know from start to finish
Lifetime access: A one-off fee gets you lifetime access to the uCheck portal – so if you ever need to complete another check (e.g. if you’re moving roles or need to provide updated proof), everything will be exactly as you left it

Get started with your DBS applications today!