Can individuals and self‑employed workers obtain their own DBS check?
From 21 January 2026, you, as an individual or self‑employed worker, can apply for your own Enhanced DBS check, as long as you meet the legal eligibility criteria for that level of check.
This article explains:
When you can apply for your own Enhanced DBS check
What you cannot do with this change
How to confirm eligibility
What information and ID you must provide
When a Basic DBS check might be more appropriate
1. What this change allows – and does not allow
1.1 What you can do
From 21 January 2026:
You can apply for your own Enhanced DBS check
This applies if you are:
An individual working in an eligible role, or
A self‑employed worker in an eligible role
You must still:
Meet the legal eligibility criteria for an Enhanced check (for example, regulated activity or certain exempted roles)
1.2 What you cannot do
The change does not allow you to:
Request DBS checks for other people you intend to recruit
Only appropriate organisations (e.g. employers, registered bodies) can request DBS checks on others for recruitment purposes
2. Working with organisations as an individual or self‑employed worker
If you provide services to an organisation (for example, as a contractor or self‑employed worker):
The organisation may still want or need to apply for the DBS check on your behalf
This will depend on:
Their safeguarding policies
Their own vetting procedures
You should:
Discuss DBS checks directly with the organisation
Agree who will apply for the DBS check:
You, as an individual, or
The organisation, on your behalf
Doing this before you apply yourself helps you avoid:
Duplicated checks
Confusion about which certificate the organisation will accept
3. How to confirm eligibility for an Enhanced DBS check
As an individual or self‑employed person, you must confirm that your role is legally eligible for an Enhanced DBS check.
You have two main options:
3.1 Use a DBS Umbrella Body
You can:
Identify a suitable DBS Umbrella Body that accepts applications from individuals
They will:
Process your application
Help confirm eligibility
Advise whether your role or responsibilities meet the legal criteria for the level of check requested
uCheck will be able to provide this service soon (for Enhanced checks for individuals).
3.2 Use DBS eligibility guidance yourself
You can also:
Use DBS’s official eligibility guidance to understand what type of check is appropriate for your work.
Useful resources (on GOV.UK):
Eligibility guidance for enhanced DBS checks
DBS guidance leaflets
These documents help you:
Decide whether your work is eligible for Enhanced, Standard, or Basic checks.
4. Information you must provide in your DBS application
When you complete your DBS application, you must supply personal information, including (but not limited to):
Your current personal details
Any name changes (including dates used)
A five‑year address history, with no gaps
You must ensure:
All information is accurate
Your timeline of names and addresses is complete and continuous
Errors or gaps can:
Delay processing
Lead to queries from DBS or the Umbrella Body
5. Identity checks for individual and self‑employed applicants
An identity check is always required.
Key rules:
Your ID must be checked in line with DBS ID Checking Guidance
A spouse or relative cannot carry out the ID check
5.1 Manual identity checks
A typical manual ID check involves:
Presenting your original documents to a suitable verifier (e.g. for the Umbrella Body or organisation)
The verifier checking:
That the documents are genuine
That they match your personal details and appearance
5.2 Digital ID checks
Some Umbrella Bodies may offer Digital ID Checks.
If available:
You can use Digital ID instead of a manual ID check
A certified digital process verifies your identity online
This can:
Save time
Remove the need for a separate face‑to‑face ID check
You should always:
Follow the specific instructions given by your chosen Umbrella Body about Digital ID options
5.3 Where to find ID guidance
You can refer to the official DBS ID guidance on GOV.UK:
DBS ID checking guidelines
This explains:
Which documents are acceptable
How many documents are needed
How to handle name changes and complex identity histories
6. If you are not eligible for an Enhanced DBS check
If, after checking, eligibility cannot be confirmed for an Enhanced DBS check:
You may not apply for an Enhanced check yourself
Instead, you can apply for a Basic DBS check, which shows:
Unspent convictions and
Unspent conditional cautions
6.1 Basic DBS checks for individuals via uCheck
If you only need a Basic DBS check:
uCheck already offers Basic DBS Checks for Individuals
You can:
Apply directly online
Use the Basic check to share with organisations that require evidence of unspent criminal history for your role
7. Summary
As an individual or self‑employed worker, from 21 January 2026 you can:
Apply for your own Enhanced DBS check, if your role is legally eligible
You must:
Confirm eligibility (with an Umbrella Body or via DBS guidance)
Provide accurate personal details, name history, and a five‑year address history
Complete an identity check (manual or digital, but not via a spouse/relative)
If your role is not eligible for an Enhanced check:
You can still apply for a Basic DBS check, which uCheck already provides for individuals.