Processing fees
The Disclosure and Barring Service (England and Wales) and Access NI (Northern Ireland) charge a set fee per check for any paid workers but not for volunteers (with some exceptions).
Our administration fees cover the costs of processing the check, and hosting our secure online system.
All fees are subject to VAT unless otherwise stated and correct as of the date of publication at the bottom of this page.
High volume users
If you normally process around 500 checks a year, you will be eligible for a bulk discount on our admin fees and would likely benefit from one of our bespoke schemes.
For more information on our bespoke schemes and bulk discounts, please contact our Disclosure Helpline Manager, Matthew, on 0303 003 11 11 (Ext 2204) or via email at [email protected].
Prices
Online DBS checks
- Enhanced (Paid worker) - £49.50 (DBS fee) plus £11.25+VAT (admin fee)
- Enhanced and Standard (Volunteer) - £11.25.+VAT (admin fee)
- Standard (Paid worker) - £21.50 (DBS fee) plus £11.25+VAT (admin fee)
- Basic check (Paid worker and volunteer)- £21.50 (DBS fee) plus £11.25+VAT (admin fee)
Paper DBS Application Forms
- Enhanced (Paid worker) - £49.50 (DBS fee) plus £25+VAT (paper form admin fee)
- Enhanced and Standard (Volunteer) - £25+VAT (paper form admin fee)
- Standard (Paid worker) - £21.50 (DBS fee) plus £25+VAT (paper form admin fee)
- Returned paper application forms with errors £5+VAT per form (admin fee)
Access NI checks
- Enhanced (Paid worker) - £32 (Access NI fee) plus £20+VAT (admin fee)
- Enhanced (Volunteer) - £20+VAT (admin fee)
- Returned applications - £5+VAT per form (admin fee)
DBS Digital ID Checks
- Digital ID check for Basic, Standard or Enhanced DBS checks - £4.60+VAT each.
- A Right to work check - £4.60+VAT each.
- Combined Right to work and Digital ID Check - £9.20+VAT each.
The charge for a Digital ID Check is in addition to the normal DBS Admin fees.
Media / Social Media checks
- Social Media: £27+VAT
- Adverse Media: £22.50+VAT
- Social Media (Education): £27+VAT
Other DBS related charges
- Route 2 External ID Verification £7.50+VAT – needed when an applicant cannot produce a Group 1 Document (Primary identity documents) for example: Passport, Driving Licence or Birth Certificate.
- DBS Adult First Check £6 (DBS fee) plus £6.50+VAT (admin fee) – needed where DBS Certificates are required by law, such as Care homes, Domiciliary care agencies or adult placement schemes.
- DBS application withdrawal admin fee £5+VAT - this applies to unwanted applications that have already started being processed by the DBS and the organisation wishes for them to be withdrawn.
Payment method
We only accept payment for Disclosure checks by Direct Debit and this is collected the month after the application is submitted. You will receive a Direct Debit notification by email within the first few working days of a month giving 14 days notice before any money is taken.
Page last updated: 02 June 2025