CRB Check Online
Apply for your CRB check online in a few minutes. Prove your ID from your phone, and get your Basic result by email in as little as 6 hours.
Basic CRB check
Shows unspent convictions and conditional cautions. Anyone can apply for their own Basic check, for any job.
Start my Basic CRB checkStandard & Enhanced CRB checks
For eligible roles, including work with children and vulnerable adults. Eligible self-employed people can now apply for their own Enhanced check.
Employer & self-employed checksIs a CRB check the same as a DBS check?
Yes. In December 2012 the Criminal Records Bureau (CRB) joined with the Independent Safeguarding Authority to become the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS). The check didn't disappear – it simply changed its name.
Lots of employers, agencies and landlords still ask for a “CRB check”. When they do, a DBS check is what they mean, and it's exactly what you can apply for here.
| If you're asked for a… | You need a… |
|---|---|
| Basic CRB check | Basic DBS check |
| Standard CRB check | Standard DBS check |
| Enhanced CRB check | Enhanced DBS check |
| Enhanced CRB with barring | Enhanced DBS with barred list(s) |
How your online CRB check works
No paper forms and no posting documents. Everything happens online, and a real person checks your application before it goes to the DBS.
Choose your check
Pick a Basic check for yourself, or a Standard or Enhanced check for an eligible role.
Fill in a short form
Most people finish in a few minutes. Have your addresses for the last five years to hand.
Prove your identity
For Basic checks, use our free digital ID check on your phone, visit a Post Office, or have a responsible person check your documents using our form.
Get your result
We email your digital result the moment we receive it. Your paper certificate usually arrives by post 2 to 4 days later.
CRB check prices
One clear price with the DBS fee included. Basic checks show the price including VAT; Standard and Enhanced checks are for organisations and are shown before VAT.
Basic CRB Check
- Free digital ID check
- Unspent convictions
- Conditional cautions
- 80% of results in 1–4 days
DBS fee £21.50 · service £45.00 · external fees £5.00 · VAT £10.00
Apply nowStandard CRB Check
- Spent & unspent convictions
- Cautions & reprimands
- Final warnings
- 95% of certificates in 5 days
DBS fee £21.50 · service £45.00 · external fees £5.00
Apply nowEnhanced CRB Check
- Everything in Standard
- Relevant local police information
- For eligible roles only
- 85% of certificates in 5 days
DBS fee £49.50 · service £45.00 · external fees £5.00
Apply nowEnhanced CRB With Barring
- Everything in Enhanced
- Children's and/or adults' barred list
- Our most thorough check
- 80% of certificates in 5 days
DBS fee £49.50 · service £45.00 · external fees £5.00
Apply nowApplications are checked as soon as they arrive. Cancelling after submission may carry an administration charge – see our questions page.
Which CRB check do you need?
The right level depends on the duties of the role, not just the job title. Our caseworkers check eligibility before anything is sent to the DBS.
Basic
For anyone, for any job. Shows unspent convictions and conditional cautions. You can apply for your own, with no employer needed.
Apply for a Basic check →Standard
For specific positions of trust set out in law, such as solicitors, accountants and certain financial roles. Must be requested by an employer or organisation.
Apply for a Standard check →Enhanced
For eligible work with children or vulnerable adults. Adds relevant local police information, plus barred list checks where the role qualifies. Since 21 January 2026, eligible self-employed people can apply for their own.
Apply for an Enhanced check →What our applicants say
“Just to let you know I've received my paper copy of my CRB. Many thanks for all your help on this.”
Sharon
“Thank you for your email and hard work. I shall wait for the outcome as informed.”
Modupeola
“Thank you so much for your support. I really appreciate all your help.”
Chundung
CRB check questions
Quick answers to the things people ask us most.
How long does an online CRB check take?
Basic results can arrive by email in as little as 6 hours, and 80% are back within 1 to 4 days. Enhanced results sometimes arrive within a day, and 85% are back within 5 days. We email your digital result as soon as we receive it, and the paper certificate usually follows by post in 2 to 4 days.
Can I get a CRB check on myself?
Yes. Anyone can apply for a Basic check on themselves – this is the modern version of the Basic CRB check. Standard and Enhanced checks are requested by an employer or organisation, although eligible self-employed people can now apply for their own Enhanced check.
How much does a CRB check cost?
A Basic check is £81.50 including VAT. A Standard check is £71.50 plus VAT, and an Enhanced check, with or without barred list checks, is £99.50 plus VAT. Every price includes the DBS fee.
Do I have to post my ID documents?
No. For Basic checks most people use our free digital ID check on their phone. If you'd rather not, you can have your ID verified at a Post Office, or ask a responsible person to check your documents using our form. For employer checks, the employer or an authorised verifier checks the applicant's ID.
Does a CRB check expire?
A DBS certificate has no official expiry date. It shows what was on record on the day it was issued, so each employer decides how recent it needs to be. Many ask for a new check when you start a new role.
How do I track my CRB check?
Once your application has been submitted, you can follow its progress on our tracking page.
Start your CRB check online today
A short form, a quick ID check and a caseworker on your side. Your result by email, your certificate by post.
Already applied? Track your application