A Basic DBS check is the most accessible level of criminal record screening in England and Wales, revealing only unspent convictions and conditional cautions under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974. The check costs £18 and typically delivers results within 14 days through a digital certificate. It shows conviction dates, court names, offense types, and sentences imposed, while spent convictions remain hidden. Individuals can apply independently or through employers for roles in retail, warehousing, volunteering, or personal licence applications. The following sections explain application procedures, conviction rehabilitation periods, and comparisons with higher-level checks.
Understanding Basic DBS Checks and How They Work
When employers or voluntary organisations need to assess an individual’s suitability for a position, a Basic DBS check provides the most accessible level of criminal record screening available in England and Wales.
This background check reveals unspent convictions and conditional cautions under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974, which remain on an individual’s record for a specified period depending on the offence and sentence received.
The check costs £18 and typically delivers results within 14 days.
When an individual chooses to apply for a basic check, they can do so independently or through their employer.
The certificate discloses specific details including the conviction date, court name, offence type, offence date, and sentence imposed.
Spent convictions and cautions do not appear on these certificates, ensuring compliance with rehabilitation legislation.
Employers should choose the appropriate level of check because there are four main types of DBS checks—Basic, Standard, Enhanced, and Enhanced with Barring List—each providing different levels of detail.
What Information Appears on a Basic DBS Certificate
A Basic DBS certificate contains limited but specific information about an individual’s criminal history, displaying only unspent convictions and conditional cautions that remain active under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974.
When an unspent conviction appears on a basic DBS check, the certificate includes the following details:
- The date of conviction and the name of the court where proceedings took place
- The specific offense committed and the date when the offense occurred
- The sentence imposed by the court for the criminal record check
The certificate will not disclose spent convictions, cautions, reprimands, warnings, or allegations. If all convictions have become spent according to rehabilitation periods, the basic DBS check will appear blank to requesting employers or organizations, showing no criminal history information. Additionally, results are delivered digitally, enabling applicants to track real-time progress and receive automatic email alerts about status updates.
Common Roles and Situations Requiring Basic DBS Checks
Understanding which information appears on a basic DBS certificate provides context for why certain employers and organisations request this level of check during their recruitment processes.
Typical Employment Sectors
Basic checks are commonly required for positions in supermarkets, delivery companies, and warehouse operations. These roles fall under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act, which protects individuals with spent convictions whilst allowing employers to view unspent convictions during the recruitment process.
Volunteering and Licensing
Many volunteering positions require basic checks, particularly those involving public interaction or vulnerable groups. Additionally, individuals applying for personal licences (such as those needed to sell alcohol) must obtain this clearance.
Purpose
Employers use basic checks to assess applicant suitability by reviewing any unspent convictions, thereby maintaining workforce safety and integrity across various sectors and responsibilities.
Employers can obtain a basic DBS check to see unspent convictions and conditional cautions, and there is no official expiry date for the certificate.
The Difference Between Spent and Unspent Convictions
The Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 establishes two distinct categories of criminal convictions: spent convictions, which have passed their rehabilitation period and no longer require disclosure on basic DBS checks, and unspent convictions, which remain within the rehabilitation period and must be declared.
The rehabilitation period varies according to the conviction type and sentence length.
Key examples include:
- Conditional cautions become spent convictions after three months
- More serious offences carry extended rehabilitation periods based on severity
- Sentence length directly determines how long a conviction remains unspent
To establish whether a conviction is spent or unspent, individuals can consult the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act directly or use an online disclosure calculator.
These tools provide accurate guidance on rehabilitation periods and disclosure obligations for basic DBS checks.
For roles involving vulnerable groups, employers may require Enhanced DBS checks, which include local police intelligence beyond what appears on a Basic check.
Step-by-Step Application Process for Basic DBS Checks
Applying for a Basic DBS check requires applicants to complete an online form with accurate personal information, including full address history for the past five years and payment details (currently £18).
The application process mandates identity verification by a non-relative who can confirm the applicant’s identity before submission.
Once all data has been entered and verified, applicants must review their information carefully during the final checks stage before the application is submitted to the Disclosure and Barring Service for processing, which typically takes 14 days.
For roles involving regulated activities with vulnerable adults, employers should ensure enhanced checks include the Adults Barred List to meet legal safeguarding requirements.
Online Application Requirements
Completing a Basic DBS check application online requires applicants to follow a structured digital process that begins with accessing the designated application portal.
The application form demands accurate personal information to guarantee proper processing by the Disclosure and Barring Service.
Applicants must provide the following essential data:
- Complete address history for a specified period
- Valid identification documents for verification purposes
- Payment details to cover the £18 processing fee
The ID verification stage requires confirmation from a non-relative individual who can authenticate the applicant’s identity.
Before final submission, applicants must review all entered data carefully to prevent delays.
Once submitted, the DBS processes the application, typically delivering results within 14 days via email and text notifications.
Identity Verification Steps
Several critical steps govern the identity verification process for Basic DBS checks, requiring applicants to present specific documentation that confirms both their identity and current residential status.
The verification must be completed by an individual who is not related to the applicant, ensuring impartiality throughout the DBS application.
This verifier examines documents from a specified list, which serves to authenticate the personal data submitted during the initial application stage.
The documentation typically includes proof of identity (such as a passport or driving licence) and proof of address (such as utility bills or bank statements).
This identity verification step is mandatory and cannot be bypassed.
Once the verifier confirms the documents match the applicant’s details, the application progresses to the final review stage before submission to the Disclosure and Barring Service.
Comparing Basic, Standard, and Enhanced DBS Check Levels
The DBS system operates through three distinct check levels, each designed to reveal different amounts of information based on the sensitivity and responsibilities of specific roles.
Understanding the key differences between Basic, Standard, and Enhanced checks allows employers and applicants to determine which level of scrutiny is legally required and appropriate for a particular position.
The scope of disclosure content varies notably across these levels, ranging from minimal information about unspent convictions in Basic checks to extensive records including local police intelligence in Enhanced checks.
Employers should match the check level to the role’s regulated activity to ensure legal compliance and appropriate safeguarding.
Key Differences Between Levels
Understanding the distinctions between Basic, Standard, and Enhanced DBS Checks requires examining what information each level discloses and which roles qualify for each type of screening.
The three levels differ greatly in scope and application:
- Basic DBS Check – Reveals only unspent convictions and cautions, making it available to any employer or voluntary organisation without role-specific restrictions.
- Standard DBS Checks – Disclose unspent and some spent convictions, cautions, reprimands, and warnings, but eligibility is limited to specific roles defined by the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act.
- Enhanced DBS Check – Includes all Standard Check information plus relevant local police intelligence, with an optional Barred List Check for roles involving vulnerable groups, representing the most thorough screening level available.
Employers must select the appropriate check level based on role requirements and legal eligibility criteria.
Disclosure Content Per Level
Each DBS check level operates according to specific disclosure parameters that determine what criminal record information appears on the certificate.
Basic checks reveal only unspent convictions and cautions, offering minimal disclosure suitable for general employment positions.
Standard DBS checks expand this scope by including unspent convictions, cautions, certain spent convictions, plus reprimands and warnings (unless filtered according to established guidelines).
Enhanced checks incorporate all Standard check information alongside additional relevant police intelligence held locally.
The most thorough option, Enhanced with Barred List checks, combines detailed criminal records with verification against DBS barred lists for children and vulnerable adults.
Each level’s DBS certificate reflects these defined parameters, ensuring employers receive appropriate information aligned with their specific role requirements and legal eligibility criteria.
Role-Specific Check Requirements
When selecting the appropriate DBS check level, employers must match the check type to specific role requirements and statutory eligibility criteria rather than choosing arbitrarily.
The Rehabilitation of Offenders Act defines which positions qualify for each level, establishing clear boundaries for lawful disclosure requests.
Role-specific check requirements follow these classifications:
- Basic DBS Check applies to general employment positions where criminal history screening provides baseline security assurance, revealing only unspent convictions without accessing protected information.
- Standard checks suit roles involving regular contact with vulnerable persons in non-care capacities, disclosing both spent and unspent convictions alongside cautions and warnings.
- Enhanced checks serve positions requiring intensive safeguarding measures, particularly those involving direct care responsibilities or unsupervised access to children and vulnerable adults.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Shows up on a Basic DBS Check?
A basic DBS check discloses only unspent convictions and conditional cautions under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974.
The disclosed information includes the conviction date, court name, offence description, offence date, and sentence received. Spent convictions, cautions, reprimands, warnings, fixed penalty notices, and allegations do not appear.
Individuals can determine whether convictions are spent using the official disclosure calculator, which applies the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act criteria based on the sentence type and length.
What Is the Difference Between Basic and Enhanced DBS Checks?
A basic DBS check reveals unspent convictions and cautions only, suitable for non-sensitive roles.
An enhanced DBS check discloses all convictions (spent and unspent), cautions, and relevant police intelligence, required for positions involving vulnerable groups such as children or adults in care settings.
Enhanced checks provide extensive background information beyond what basic checks reveal, taking longer to process due to their thoroughness and additional checks with local police forces.
How Far Back Does a Basic DBS Check Go?
A Basic DBS Check has no fixed time limit and searches an individual’s entire criminal record. However, it only discloses unspent convictions and cautions.
Spent convictions, determined by the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974, do not appear regardless of age. The rehabilitation period varies based on sentence type and length, ranging from months to years. Conditional cautions become spent after three months.
Individuals can use the official disclosure calculator to determine if their convictions are spent.
Can You Fail a Basic DBS Check?
A basic DBS check does not operate on a pass or fail basis. The certificate simply discloses any unspent convictions on an individual’s criminal record.
If no unspent convictions exist, the certificate remains blank. Employers use the information provided to assess a candidate’s suitability for a role, particularly in positions requiring trust and responsibility.
The outcome depends entirely on whether unspent convictions appear, not on passing or failing predetermined criteria.
Conclusion
Basic DBS checks provide essential criminal record information for employment and volunteer positions. Applicants must understand which conviction types appear on certificates, follow the correct application procedures, and recognise when basic checks suffice versus requiring standard or enhanced levels. The Rehabilitation of Offenders Act determines spent conviction filtering, directly affecting certificate contents. Individuals should verify employer requirements, complete applications accurately through approved channels, and allow appropriate processing time. Understanding these fundamentals guarantees compliance with UK disclosure requirements and supports informed decision-making for both applicants and organisations.