DBS Check Cost Calculator 2025/26
Calculate DBS (Disclosure and Barring Service) check costs for your employees and volunteers in 2025/26. Enter the check level required and number of individuals to see total costs, including reduced rates for volunteers.
Key Inputs
- DBS check level (Basic, Standard, Enhanced, Enhanced with Barred Lists)
- Number of employees requiring checks
- Number of volunteers requiring checks (reduced fee applies)
- Whether to include the DBS Update Service subscription
What You'll Get
- Cost per check by level
- Total check costs for employees
- Total check costs for volunteers (reduced rates)
- DBS Update Service annual cost (£16/person)
- Total cost
Important Notes — 2025/26 Rates & Caveats
DBS check fees 2025: Basic £18; Standard £38; Enhanced £38; Enhanced with Barred Lists £38 (Barred List check is included in the Enhanced fee, not an additional charge). Volunteers: Basic and Standard checks are free for volunteers applying through a registered charity or voluntary organisation. Enhanced checks for volunteers cost £6.50. The DBS Update Service (£16/year per individual) allows employers to check for certificate updates in real time, reducing the need for new checks — cost-effective for roles requiring annual re-checking. Processing times: online applications typically 2-8 weeks; Basic checks often faster (1-5 days).
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do DBS checks cost in 2025?
DBS check fees in 2025: Basic check £18; Standard check £38; Enhanced check £38; Enhanced check with Barred Lists £38 (the Barred Lists check is included in the Enhanced fee, not additional). These are the fees charged directly by the DBS. If using an umbrella body or online service to process applications, they may charge an additional administration fee of £5-20 per application.
Are DBS checks free for volunteers?
Basic and Standard DBS checks are provided free of charge to volunteers who apply through a registered charity or voluntary organisation. Enhanced DBS checks for volunteers cost £6.50 (compared to £38 for paid employees). To qualify for the volunteer rate, the individual must not receive any payment (other than reasonable expenses) for their volunteering role. Paid staff — including those on very low wages or zero-hours contracts — must pay the standard fee.
What is the DBS Update Service?
The DBS Update Service is an annual subscription (£16 per person) that allows individuals to keep their DBS certificate current and share it with multiple employers, and allows employers to check the certificate's status online in real time. It is cost-effective for roles that require regular re-checking (e.g. healthcare, childcare) as it avoids the need and cost of a full new DBS check each year. The individual must subscribe within 28 days of their DBS certificate being issued.
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