An Enhanced DBS check cost is £49.50 for the government fee. This fee is set by the Disclosure and Barring Service and is the same whether or not a barred list check is included. When an Enhanced DBS check is processed through an umbrella body, an administration fee is added, meaning the total cost is usually between £60 and £80, depending on the provider.
Administration fees usually cover the processing of the application, access to the online DBS system, and checks carried out by the umbrella body to ensure the application is completed correctly before being submitted to the DBS.
Organisations often use umbrella bodies such as Quicker DBS to process Enhanced DBS checks online, as this allows applications to be submitted efficiently with clearly separated government and administration fees, so employers know exactly what they are paying for.
Enhanced DBS Check Cost: What Can Impact It
The total cost of an Enhanced DBS check depends on several factors, including:
- The fixed government DBS fee (this should be the same no matter which provider you choose)
- The administration fee charged by the umbrella body
- Whether digital ID verification is used
- Whether the applicant is a volunteer
- Any volume pricing available for organisations submitting regular applications
If the applicant is a volunteer in an eligible role, the DBS government fee is waived, and only the administration fee is payable.
While the DBS fee itself is fixed by the government, administration fees vary depending on the provider and the level of support offered.
Enhanced DBS check cost with Quicker DBS
With Quicker DBS, the Enhanced DBS check cost is made up of:
- DBS government fee: £49.50
- Administration fee: £10.95, but can be reduced!
If you sign up to Quicker DBS with the White-Label or Umbrella Body package, the administration fee is greatly reduced.
Quicker DBS does not charge any sign-up fees or require minimum monthly spends, allowing organisations to pay only for the checks they need.
Enhanced DBS Check Cost: FAQs
Can I get an Enhanced DBS check for free?
Enhanced DBS checks are free only for volunteers in eligible roles. In these cases, the government DBS fee is waived, but an administration fee is usually still payable to cover processing and verification.
How long does an Enhanced DBS check take?
Most Enhanced DBS checks are completed within 7 to 14 days. Some applications can be completed a lot sooner, while others may take longer if local police forces require additional time to complete their part of the check.
What is the difference between a DBS check and an Enhanced DBS check?
A Basic DBS check shows unspent convictions, cautions, warnings, and reprimands. A Standard DBS check shows both spent and unspent convictions, cautions, warnings, and reprimands. An Enhanced DBS check includes the same information and may also include relevant information held by local police, as well as barred list checks where legally required.
Who pays for an Enhanced DBS check?
With Quicker DBS, either the organisation or the applicant can pay for the Enhanced DBS check.