How long do DBS Checks usually take?

We find applications we process on average complete within 48 hours. However, this is just an average, we can never promise

of guarantee this timeframe.

The reason for this, is that it isn’t uCheck who complete the vetting process, this is done by the DBS and the Police. Some checks can take longer to complete, if the DBS or Police are experiencing delays, or if they raise queries on applications once they receive them.

Most Common Reasons for Delays

• Police forces have delays (Stage 4)

• Police or DBS have raised queries relating to applicant personal data, or eligibility

What can be done?

Depending on the delay, there are a few different options. 

Escalations

As we don’t carry out the vetting process ourselves, once an application is submitted to the DBS, it is out of our hands, and unfortunately, we’re unable to speed things up.

If an application has remained at Stage 4 for 60 days, we can raise an escalation with the DBS. If it still hasn’t been completed within 10 working days of the escalation, the DBS can provide details of the Police Force handling the application. From that point, we’re only able to escalate the application with the Police Force every 10 working days.

Applicants can also contact their local police force directly to follow up—and they can do this as

frequently as they wish.

We do understand that sometimes an escalation is needed before the 60-day mark. If the delay is causing financial hardship, the DBS may agree to escalate the application sooner by raising a hardship case. To do this, the application must have been in stage 4 for at least 28 days and the applicant must contact the DBS directly on 03000 200 190 and provide their DBS reference number beginning with ‘E0’.

If the application has been at Stage 5 for more than 10 days, the applicant can contact the DBS directly

to chase progress.

Queries

Once an application enters the DBS vetting process, it goes through several stages before a result is returned. During this process, the DBS may raise a query if something doesn’t match their records. Common reasons for queries include differences in name spellings, undeclared previous names, missing or incorrect addresses, or an incorrect date of birth.

Other queries may relate to the applicant’s role, where the work is taking place, or details from their ID documents. 

The DBS will send any queries to us, and we’ll pass them on to you as the employer. You’ll need to respond by email with full answers to all parts of the query. If any information is missing, we’ll send it back to you before forwarding it to the DBS, which could cause delays, so please make sure all requested details are provided.

Once we receive a full response, we’ll send it to the DBS for review. If the DBS finds incorrect information in the application, they won’t make changes, the application will be withdrawn, and the fee will be lost. In that case, a new application would need to be submitted if the check is still required. If they are satisfied with the information provided, they will continue to process the application.