Overview
A countersignatory is a person who is registered with the DBS to approve certain DBS applications before they are sent for vetting.
For all Standard and Enhanced DBS checks:
The application must be countersigned before the DBS will begin the vetting process.
You use countersignature to confirm that:
The position is eligible for the level of DBS check requested.
The application is complete and ready to be sent to the DBS.
1. What a Countersignatory Is
You can think of a countersignature like you might in financial or legal documents (for example, a Power of Attorney):
A countersignature helps confirm the authenticity and appropriateness of what has been submitted.
In DBS terms:
A countersignatory is someone who is registered with the DBS to countersign applications.
They make a formal declaration that:
The role is eligible for the type and level of DBS check requested.
Without this confirmation, the DBS will not process the application.
2. When a Countersignature Is Required
You must have a countersignature for:
All Standard DBS checks
All Enhanced DBS checks
The DBS will only start vetting after:
A countersignatory has reviewed the application.
The countersignatory has countersigned the application.
This is why you may sometimes be asked:
Additional questions about the role,
How it meets eligibility criteria, or
Whether any barred list checks are appropriate,
before the application can be countersigned.
3. Who Acts as the Countersignatory at uCheck
At uCheck:
All uCheck employees are registered with the DBS as countersignatories.
A member of the uCheck team will always be the one to countersign your Standard and Enhanced applications.
You, as the client:
Approve the application in the system.
uCheck then takes responsibility for the formal countersignature with the DBS.
4. What Happens After You Approve an Application
4.1 Application enters the countersigning queue
Once you, as the client, approve an application:
The application enters uCheck’s countersigning queue.
From this queue, uCheck will:
Review the application and the “position applied for” details.
Decide whether:
To raise questions about eligibility, or
To proceed with countersigning if everything is in order.
4.2 Possible eligibility queries
If anything about the application is unclear, for example:
The role description does not clearly show legal eligibility, or
The requested level of check or barred list does not obviously match the role,
uCheck may:
Contact you with questions before countersigning.
Ask you to clarify or adjust the information so it meets DBS rules.
5. After the Application Is Countersigned
Once a uCheck countersignatory has countersigned the application:
No further changes can be made to the information declared.
You cannot edit role details, applicant information, or eligibility-related fields after this point.
The DBS will collect (sweep) applications from the uCheck system every 15 minutes.
This means there is minimal delay between:
The moment the application is countersigned, and
The moment it enters the DBS vetting process.
From that point on, the application is with the DBS and relevant police forces for vetting, and the usual tracking and turnaround rules apply.