Enhanced DBS checks. Everything you need to know.

A modern office scene showing a professional working on an enhanced DBS check process on a desktop computer. The screen displays a step by step identity verification workflow including application received, identity verified, DBS check, police checks, barred list check and certificate issued. On the desk are documents including a passport, driving licence and application forms. The environment is clean and corporate, with a digital map of the United Kingdom and connected network icons in the background representing police force data checks and safeguarding systems.

If you are waiting for an enhanced DBS check to come back, you are not alone.

One of the most common questions employers and applicants ask us is:

“How long does an enhanced DBS check take?”

In most cases, the average enhanced DBS check takes around 13 days to complete. However, many applicants experience delays, particularly when police forces need to manually review information.

Some enhanced DBS checks are completed in just a few days. Others can take several weeks.

An enhanced DBS check is not just an automated criminal record search. It is one of the most detailed background screening processes used in the UK employment system.

Behind the scenes, multiple organisations may be involved, including the Disclosure and Barring Service, local police forces and law enforcement agencies.

In this guide, we explain:

  • What happens during an enhanced DBS check
  • Why enhanced DBS checks are delayed
  • Why police forces are involved
  • What causes some DBS checks to take longer
  • How employers and applicants can reduce delays

For official guidance on DBS checks, visit the official Disclosure and Barring Service.

What Is An Enhanced DBS Check?

An enhanced DBS check is the highest level of criminal record check available for most roles in England and Wales.

Enhanced DBS checks are commonly required for:

  • Healthcare roles
  • Teachers and school staff
  • Care workers
  • Social workers
  • Recruitment roles involving vulnerable people
  • Foster carers
  • Regulated professions

An enhanced DBS check includes:

  • Spent and unspent convictions
  • Cautions
  • Warnings
  • Relevant police information
  • Barred list checks for regulated activity roles

Unlike a basic DBS check, enhanced DBS checks involve local police force searches and manual safeguarding reviews.

That additional level of scrutiny is one of the main reasons enhanced DBS checks take longer.

You can read more about the different levels of DBS checks on the official GOV.UK DBS guidance page.

What Happens During An Enhanced DBS Check?

1. Identity Verification

Before an enhanced DBS check is submitted, the applicant’s identity must be verified.

This usually involves:

  • Passport checks
  • Driving licence verification
  • Proof of address
  • Address history checks

One of the biggest causes of enhanced DBS check delays is incorrect information.

Even small mistakes in names, dates or address history can delay processing.

At Vetting.com, we use a human three layer verification process before any DBS application is submitted.

Every application is manually reviewed to ensure names, addresses and identification documents are fully accurate before submission.

We only submit applications once we are confident the information is 100 per cent correct, helping employers and applicants avoid unnecessary delays.

2. DBS Application Review

Once submitted, the Disclosure and Barring Service reviews the application.

The DBS checks:

  • Identity information
  • Address history
  • Eligibility for the requested DBS level
  • Personal details

If information is incomplete or inconsistent, the DBS contacts the employer, applicant or registered body for clarification.

3. Police National Computer Search

The DBS then searches the Police National Computer.

This identifies:

  • Convictions
  • Cautions
  • Reprimands
  • Warnings

If there is a potential match against police systems, the application is sent to the relevant police force or law enforcement agency.

Importantly, this does not necessarily mean the applicant has a criminal record. In many cases, the system simply identifies somebody with the same or a similar name. This is why applicants sometimes find their enhanced DBS check being reviewed by a police force in an area they have never lived in.

Further guidance is available from the official DBS eligibility guidance.

4. Local Police Force Checks

This stage is responsible for most enhanced DBS check delays.

If there is a match on police systems, local police forces review records to determine whether they hold information relevant to the workforce the applicant is applying to work with.

Police review:

  • Local intelligence
  • Non conviction information
  • Ongoing investigations
  • Safeguarding concerns

Most enhanced DBS certificates do not include additional police information.

However, police staff still need to manually review records before making that decision.

If several police forces are involved, the enhanced DBS check can take significantly longer. Police may also gather information from other organisations before returning the check.

According to DBS operational figures:

  • The DBS sends around 3 million checks every year to 52 police forces and law enforcement agencies
  • In April, the average time for police forces to return a DBS check sent to them was 26 days
  • 11 police forces were experiencing delays, including Thames Valley, Sussex, Durham and Police Scotland
  • Police forces completed 72 per cent of aged cases already held at the beginning of the month

These figures explain why local police checks are often the slowest stage of the enhanced DBS process.

5. Barred List Checks

For regulated activity roles involving children or vulnerable adults, the DBS carries out barred list checks. These checks confirm whether an individual is legally prohibited from working with certain groups. This is a mandatory safeguarding stage within the enhanced DBS checking process.

6. Certificate Printing And Delivery

Once the enhanced DBS check is complete, the DBS prints and posts the certificate.

This can still add several working days to the overall processing time. Applicants can track progress through the official DBS tracking service.

Apply For An Enhanced DBS Check Through Vetting.com

At Vetting.com, we provide fast, compliant and fully managed DBS screening services for employers, recruiters and

Find out more about our DBS services here:

DBS Checks And Police Checks At Vetting.com

If you would like advice on the correct level of DBS check for your role, contact the Vetting.com team directly by email.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does an enhanced DBS check take?

Most enhanced DBS checks are completed within around 13 days, although some applications can take several weeks depending on police force involvement.

Why is my enhanced DBS check delayed?

The most common causes of enhanced DBS delays are police force reviews, incorrect application information, similar name matches and manual safeguarding assessments.

Does a delayed DBS check mean something is wrong?

No. Most delayed enhanced DBS checks are caused by administration or police workloads rather than criminal record concerns.

Can self employed people apply for a DBS check?

Yes. Self employed individuals can apply for eligible DBS checks quickly and easily through Vetting.com by clicking here.

Can enhanced DBS checks be fast tracked?

There is no official fast track service for enhanced DBS checks. However, accurate applications and proper identity verification can help reduce avoidable delays.

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