Original document : https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/dbs-update-service-applicant-guide

Change description : 2025-04-03 10:08:00: Section added to explain that applicants should have control of their Update Service subscription, and what to do if they don’t. [Guidance and regulation]

Showing diff : 2024-12-02 00:02:09.925445430 +00:00..2025-04-03 09:08:47.044096236 +00:00

Guidance

DBS update service: guide for applicants

Guidance for applicants regarding the DBS update service, including how to join and how to renew your subscription.

Documents

Details

The update service is an online subscription that lets you keep your standard or enhanced DBS certificates up-to-date and allows employersorganisations to check a certificate if given permission.

The update service is not available for basic DBS checks.

Applicants should always have control of their update service subscription. If this is not the case, please contact the organisation that arranged the subscription to find out how this has happened.  If you are unable to resolve this, please contact customerservices@dbs.gov.uk.

Register for the update service

The update service costs £16 per year, and you can pay by credit or debit card. There is no charge for the update service if you’re a volunteer.

If you are in the process of applying for a standard or enhanced DBS check, you will need your application form reference (this is called ‘form ref’ on your application form) to join the update service. DBS must receive your application within 28 days.

If you have received your DBS certificate, you will need your certificate number to join the update service. You must join within 30 days of the certificate being issued.

Register for the update service here.

Log in to the update service

If you’ve already joined the update service, you can log in here.

Payment for the update service

Payment for the update service will automatically be collected 14 days prior to your subscription end date, using the card details you previously provided. Successful payment will result in your subscription being updated and extended for another year.

Please note, automatic renewals are not by Direct Debit, so if your bank card details change you will need to update these up to 30 days before your current Update Service subscription ends.

If your card details have changed

If your card details have changed, you can update your payment details by logging in to your account, navigating to the screen which allows you to view your correspondence details and selecting the ‘renew subscription’ link.

If your payment is unsuccessful, you will receive an email notification which will tell you when payment is due and how to make the payment.

Payment for the update service (Welsh)

Bydd taliad am y gwasanaeth diweddaru’n cael ei gasglu’n awtomatig 14 diwrnod cyn y dyddiad y daw’ch tanysgrifiad i ben, gan ddefnyddio manylion cerdyn a ddarparwyd gennych ynghynt. Bydd taliad llwyddiannus yn arwain at ddiweddaru’ch tanysgrifiad a’i ymestyn am flwyddyn arall.

Os yw manylion eich cerdyn wedi newid

Os yw manylion eich cerdyn wedi newid, gallwch ddiweddaru’ch manylion talu drwy fewngofnodi i’ch cyfrif, mordwyo i’r sgrîn sy’n eich caniatáu i weld manylion eich gohebiaeth a dewis y ddolen ‘adnewyddu tanysgrifiad’. Os nad yw’ch taliad yn llwyddiannus, byddwch yn derbyn hysbysiad drwy e-bost a fydd yn dweud wrthych pryd fydd taliad yn ddyledus a sut i wneud y taliad.

Renew your subscription

You can renew your subscription either:

  • when you first register, by choosing automatic renewal
  • up to 30 days before your current subscription ends - but you cannot renew on the last day of your subscription

Log in to your update service account to renew.

If you do not renew your subscription before it ends, you’ll need to apply for a new DBS check and register for the update service again.

Updates to this page

Published 23 May 2013
Last updated 23 DecemberApril 2024 + show2025 href="#full-history">+ show all updates

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Update history

2025-04-03 10:08
Section added to explain that applicants should have control of their Update Service subscription, and what to do if they don’t.

2024-12-02 00:00
Fees for the Update Service have been updated

2024-11-27 10:28
Information about volunteer subscriptions has been updated