How long does it take for the check to come through – Unfortunately, there is no straight answer to this question. The completion time for an enhanced DBS check ranges from 24 hours to 14 days. The time to receive an enhanced DBS certificate can take around 4-8 weeks.
In rare circumstances, it can take longer than 8 weeks. There are many reasons for a DBS certificate delay, The most common reason is a backlog of applications held by local police authorities. Other reasons include random quality inspections or inaccurate information has been provided by the candidate or employer.
Employers in certain industries will do an annual enhanced DBS check for regulatory reasons. Even if an employee has worked for an organisation for a long period of time (e.g., 12 months), the DBS process for another check takes the same amount of time.
Contents
- 1 Can you speed up an enhanced DBS check?
- 2 How long does an enhanced DBS check take UK?
- 3 What is the longest wait for DBS?
- 4 What if DBS takes longer than 60 days?
- 5 Does enhanced DBS expire?
- 6 How long does it take to process DBS 2023?
- 7 What if my DBS hasn’t arrived?
- 8 What to do if DBS is taking too long?
- 9 What is the average time of DBS?
- 10 How much is DBS check?
- 11 Why is Stage 5 of DBS taking so long?
- 12 Why does DBS take so long to process?
How long does DBS enhanced processing take?
How long it takes – It usually takes around 14 days but it can take longer if:
- the details given for the check are incorrect
- several police forces need to be involved in the check
You cannot pay more to get a faster check. If you’re registered with DBS you can use the tracking service to track multiple applications,
Why is enhanced DBS taking so long?
Why Can a DBS Check Take So Long at Stage 4? – It’s important to note that although the majority of applications take less than 2 weeks to be processed in full, there are always a few applications get stuck at Stage 4! More often than not, no action will be necessary, as it is only possible to raise an escalation after the application has been at Stage 4 for 60 days – by which time, most have become unstuck and have been completed.
- The main reason applications get stuck is due to the applicant having many previous addresses.
- Because of this, the local police force of each address will have to check their records.
- Whilst some may do it straight away, others can take a little longer.
- It only takes one police force to take a little longer than the rest to cause a delay! Changes in personal details, such as first names and surnames, can also add delays as each police force will have to check details against the different names.
Miss Jane Smith might not have committed an offence, but Mrs Jane Thompson might have! Common names can also cause problems, for example, there are over 6000 people called David Smith living in the UK. If an applicant has a common name, then each police force has to ensure any data and information they have on-file is for the right person.
Why is DBS taking so long 2023?
Stage 4 – The Local Police Checks – Arguably the most common cause of Enhanced DBS delays is when the application reaches Stage 4, the Local Police Record Check! This most commonly occurs when the applicant has lived at numerous addresses across England and Wales, as each address’s local police force must perform their own checks.
Can you speed up an enhanced DBS check?
Can’t I just Fast-Track My DBS? – Not really. There’s not a standard fast-track service as there is to apply for your passport or other documentation. If you’re applying for an enhanced DBS check with an additional search of the Barred Lists, there is another option.
How long does an enhanced DBS check take UK?
How long does it take for the check to come through – Unfortunately, there is no straight answer to this question. The completion time for an enhanced DBS check ranges from 24 hours to 14 days. The time to receive an enhanced DBS certificate can take around 4-8 weeks.
- In rare circumstances, it can take longer than 8 weeks.
- There are many reasons for a DBS certificate delay,
- The most common reason is a backlog of applications held by local police authorities.
- Other reasons include random quality inspections or inaccurate information has been provided by the candidate or employer.
Employers in certain industries will do an annual enhanced DBS check for regulatory reasons. Even if an employee has worked for an organisation for a long period of time (e.g., 12 months), the DBS process for another check takes the same amount of time.
What is the longest wait for DBS?
How long does a DBS Check take? – The length of time a DBS Check takes depends on a number of factors, including what level of check is being carried out. Basic DBS Checks generally take between 24-48 hours to complete. This is because they simply involve a check against the Police National Computer.
They can sometimes take longer. The DBS advise that any level of DBS Check can take between 6-8 weeks to complete on some occasions. Standard and Enhanced DBS Checks take longer to complete than the Basic DBS. Standard DBS Checks normally take anywhere between 2-7 days. Enhanced DBS Check tend to average around 14 days.
The reason these checks take much longer is because they are more comprehensive and require more checking. An Enhanced DBS Check goes through the following 5 stages: Stage 1: The DBS Application form is received and validated Stage 2: The Police National Computer (PNC) is searched Stage 3: The application is checked against the Child and/or Adult Barred Lists (if required).
- Stage 4: The application is sent for a ‘records held by the police search’.
- The police will add on any information they deem relevant to the position give on the DBS application.
- Stage 5: The DBS Check process is complete and the certificate is being printed and posted.
- As we can see in stage 4, the application arrives with the local police authority.
This is often the stage where a DBS check gets delayed. But what happens when a DBS is with the local police?
What if DBS takes longer than 60 days?
When can I escalate my DBS application? – We can escalate applications that have taken over 60 days through the DBS by the click of a button, and our system automatically flags up applications for escalation. Not all applications are escalated on the 60 th day, some may have been at the DBS for a few days before being sent on to the police, and some may have been returned to the DBS by the police because of an internal query.
- If this happens and it is returned to the police by the DBS, a fresh target of 60 days applies.
- We are never told what such queries may be as the DBS must not give us any information that may infer that there will be an entry on the disclosure certificate.
- If an application is successfully escalated, the DBS flag the escalation with the relevant police force, and the police prioritise it.
This may get a quicker response, but if the police are waiting for information from a 3rd party (the applicant for example) it still won’t resolve it. Only one escalation is necessary, as once escalated the police give it their highest priority. Subsequently, it cannot be escalated further.
The final escalation happens after 70 days. After 70 days the DBS will give us the address of the police force and we can contact them direct. We write to the police informing them of the length of time the applicant has been waiting. In summary, two escalation requests can be made – after 60 days and after 70 days.
We cannot escalate it again. The police do not tell us the reason for the delay as that may indicate that something will appear on the disclosure. They would be in breach of privacy legislation if this happened. If you require any further information regarding escalations or need to check the progress of a DBS check, please call us on 0151 638 6158 or email us at [email protected],
Does enhanced DBS expire?
When to repeat a check – A DBS check has no official expiry date. Any information included will be accurate at the time the check was carried out. It’s up to you to decide when a new check is needed. If the applicant has signed up for the DBS update service you can check whether their certificate is up to date online,
Why is Stage 4 DBS taking so long?
Why is my DBS Check taking so long? Some DBS applications may take longer due to circumstances completely out of TerraQuests hands. TerraQuest is committed to speeding up turnaround times for criminal record checks, but on some occasions, they may take a bit longer and here’s why.
The 5 Stages of the DBS Process for Standard and Enhanced DBS Checks Stage 1: DBS application is received and validated. Stage 2: PNC (Police National Computer Database) is searched. Stage 3: Application is checked against the children and adults barred list (if requested). Stage 4: Application arrives at Police local authorities and is checked against their record. Stage 5: Process is complete and the certificate is printing.
The Local Police Check (Stage 4) is often the stage that takes the longest in the application process. DBS sometimes needs to pass applications to one or more local police forces for them to check. Some police forces have backlogs of applications due to limited staffing or internal limitations.
How long does it take to process DBS 2023?
How long does a DBS check take? It usually takes 14 days to process a DBS check. But it can take longer if: There are any incorrect details in the application.
What if my DBS hasn’t arrived?
What if I need a reprint for a Basic certificate? – Once you have been notified that your Basic DBS check has been completed, please allow 14 days for the certificate to be delivered to your postal address. If, after 14 days, your certificate has not arrived, you can request a reprint of your certificate online via the DBS government website.
Alternatively you can contact the DBS on 03000 200 190, but please remember that only one reprint certificate is permitted. The DBS have advised that they will not provide a reprint if a paper copy certificate was not requested when the application form was submitted and it must be requested within 3 months of the certificate issue date.
If you need any advice on DBS checks or would like to speak to an advisor, please contact the team at Care Check on 0333 777 8575 or email [email protected] Looking to apply for a DBS Check? Individuals can easily apply for a Basic DBS Check here,
What to do if DBS is taking too long?
How to Speed Up the DBS Process? – When a DBS check has been stuck in Stage 4 for a considerable period of time, and once the DBS has been notified, they can raise a query with the police force in question. While Stage 4 DBS delays are out of the hands of both the employer and applicant, ensuring that every required field in the DBS application is correct helps prevent delays.
Disclose all relevant information, including any changes of names or addresses. Failing to disclose this information could result in further delays as this information will have to be verified externally, and will often mean that the applicant will be contacted to confirm. You can read more about fast-tracking DBS applications here,
Delays to applications are not ideal, but in the majority of cases, there is very little we can do about them. However, here at Online DBS Checks, we have a very easy-to-use system for DBS checks for applicants and employers. For applicants, please click here to find out more about how to apply for a DBS online.
How long does DBS Stage 5 take?
How long does a DBS check take to arrive from stage 5? Stage 5 is the final stage of an enhanced DBS check. This is where all the information is collated and printed (the DBS certificate). It can take up to 10 days for a DBS certificate to arrive after it has been printed.
Can you chase a DBS?
Is it possible to speed up the DBS checking process? – Once the application has been sent to the DBS, it’s out of our hands. We don’t perform the vetting process ourselves so unfortunately there’s nothing we can do to speed it up! Most checks are completed within 48 hours.
- However, they can occasionally take a little longer, which may be due to incorrect information or delays with local police.
- There’s also currently a backlog of applications due to the coronavirus pandemic.
- If an application has been at Stage 4 for 60 days, we can escalate it with the DBS.
- From then on we can only escalate it every 10 working days.
In addition, applicants can contact their local police force to chase their application, and they can do this as frequently as they like. If the application has been at Stage 5 for more than 10 days, the applicant can contact the DBS to chase it up.
What is the difference between a DBS check and an enhanced DBS check?
What Does an Enhanced DBS Check Show? – An Enhanced DBS Check shows similar details to a Standard DBS Check but will contain more information, which can be necessary for some roles. In addition to conviction, auctions and reprimands, an Enhanced DBS check will also show information held by local police forces.
Why has my DBS gone back to Stage 3?
X4. Tracking shows Stage 3 has started again – why? –
- Note this relates to the processing of Standard DBS or Enhanced DBS applications only.
- If the DBS tracking originally showed that Stage 3 started on a particular date and it is now showing that it started on a different date; it means that the police raised a “conflict” with the DBS regarding the information provided on the DBS application form.
- This usually occurs if the personal details provided on the DBS application form are slightly different to the personal details the police have on record; or if they are different to personal details provided on a previous DBS application form (for example missing names or different spelling of names; or missing/different address etc).
The police raise a “conflict” with the DBS because the DBS then need to run checks to ascertain if this applicant is the same person as the person on their records, or a different person. Whilst the DBS carry out these checks, Stage 3 is stopped. When the DBS resolve this query, they return it to the police and they re-start their stage 3 search again.
Is DBS every 3 years?
Does a DBS expire after 3 years? – DBS checks don’t have an expiration date, although there may be certain sector-specific guidance that requires DBS checks to be renewed at regular intervals, for example, DBS check renewals are usually every 3 years in the NHS.
What is the average time of DBS?
What is the average wait time for a DBS check? – The overall average time for DBS checks to be processed and a certificate issued is four weeks. This is an average however, so some may be returned much sooner, or much later. In fact, in some areas where there is no backlog, the DBS check may be processed within 24 to 48 hours.
How much is DBS check?
Total (inc. VAT where applicable) –
For paper applications, the administration fee includes DDC checking, verifying and returning original identity documents. Get started today – Registration is quick, easy and FREE
Why is Stage 4 DBS taking so long?
Why is my DBS Check taking so long? Some DBS applications may take longer due to circumstances completely out of TerraQuests hands. TerraQuest is committed to speeding up turnaround times for criminal record checks, but on some occasions, they may take a bit longer and here’s why.
The 5 Stages of the DBS Process for Standard and Enhanced DBS Checks Stage 1: DBS application is received and validated. Stage 2: PNC (Police National Computer Database) is searched. Stage 3: Application is checked against the children and adults barred list (if requested). Stage 4: Application arrives at Police local authorities and is checked against their record. Stage 5: Process is complete and the certificate is printing.
The Local Police Check (Stage 4) is often the stage that takes the longest in the application process. DBS sometimes needs to pass applications to one or more local police forces for them to check. Some police forces have backlogs of applications due to limited staffing or internal limitations.
Why is Stage 5 of DBS taking so long?
It gets delayed with the police – A DBS application might be delayed because of local police authorities. This is the most common reason why a DBS certificate and check is delayed. The reasons for it delaying at this stage vary. Oftentimes, it is because:
- The police have a backlog of applications
- There are technical issues with the Police National Computer (PNC)
- Convictions have occurred, which require further investigation
- Additional evidence is required regarding fines for certain convictions (which, when paid, will not show on the check)
Why does DBS take so long to process?
1. Incorrect Applicant Details – Whilst you may think that the easiest part of this process for the applicant to control is entering their details at the beginning of an application, errors at this point are one of the leading reasons for delayed DBS checks.
What is the process of enhanced DBS?
Stage 4 – Enhanced DBS Goes to Your Local Police Force – Any Enhanced DBS checks submitted online are sent to an applicant’s local police force(s) for an additional check of their criminal record before being submitted to the DBS. Police forces verify a DBS check to ensure potential matches aren’t missed and don’t contradict what is on police records.
- Sometimes there can be delays during Stage 4 of the check process, which is why it’s difficult to give exact timescales for how long a DBS check takes.
- Delays are out of the umbrella body’s hands, as police forces sometimes have a backlog of applications to verify, or there may be conflicting information that requires investigating further.
For more information, read our blog about why DBS checks get stuck at Stage 4 sometimes,