Disclosure and Barring Service FAQS

Tracking the application and getting a certificate

Criminal Records Bureau (CRB) checks are now called Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) checks.

The person being given a DBS check (the applicant) can check on the progress of their application using the DBS tracking service.

Employers can track multiple applications and order blank application forms online.

The applicant, employer and organisation that applied for the search will see the results of the check.
 

DBS certificate

Once the check is completed, DBS will send a certificate listing the results to the applicant. The employer will have to ask the applicant to see the certificate.

 

Security features

Certificates have security features to prove they’re genuine, including:
 

• a ‘crown seal’ watermark repeated down the right side, visible both on the surface and when held up to the light
• a background design featuring the word ‘Disclosure’, which appears in a wave-like pattern across both sides of a certificate; the pattern’s colour alternates between blue and green on the reverse
• ink and paper that change colour when wet

The security features for a CRB certificate issued before 1 December 2012 are the same as for the DBS certificate.

Reusing a DBS check

A DBS certificate only contains information from a DBS check on a certain date and for a particular purpose.

Employers can accept a previously issued certificate but must:
 

• check the applicant’s identity matches the details on the certificate
• check the certificate is of the right level and type for the role applied for
• check to see if anything has changed since the certificate was issued

Lost certificates

DBS can’t provide replacements for lost or destroyed certificates.
 

Appeals and disputes

Criminal Records Bureau (CRB) checks are now called Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) checks.

Applicants (job candidates) and employers may both be able to appeal against a barring decision following a check. The decision could be changed if the appeal is successful.
 

Appeal against a mistake

You can appeal if you believe there’s been a mistake in either:
 

• the records provided, like wrong or irrelevant information on convictions
• personal information, like a name or employer’s details

Applicants can appeal their own DBS check. An employer or licensing authority can also appeal a DBS check if they’ve talked to the applicant first.

The police may ask for fingerprints to prove identity if there’s a mistake in the records.
 

How to appeal

Report the mistake within 3 months of issue of the DBS check certificate.

For mistakes in records

Fill in the certificate dispute form.

For mistakes in personal information

Fill in Section A of the certificate dispute form, or call the DBS customer services team.
 

Appeal against a DBS update service certificate change

Call customer services if you subscribe to the DBS update service and want to dispute the status of a certificate. They’ll send out the forms you need to appeal against a certificate status.
 

DBS certificate dispute line

Telephone: 0300 0200 190
Minicom: 0300 0200 192
Welsh: 0300 0200 191
International: +44 151 676 9390
Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm
Find out about call charges

Send the form to:

DBS
Disputes
Customer Services
FREEPOST RTHU-TRJY-KSHY
PO Box 165
Liverpool
L69 3JD