What a DBS check costs from 5 October 2026
DBS reviews its fees every year and sets each one at the cost of delivering the service. This year it was able to reduce every fee, with the biggest saving on Enhanced checks.
| Product | Fee before 5 October 2026 | Fee from 5 October 2026 |
|---|---|---|
| Basic DBS check | £21.50 | £20.00 |
| Standard DBS check | £21.50 | £20.00 |
| Enhanced DBS check (with or without barred list checks) | £49.50 | £41.00 |
| Update Service subscription | £16.00 a year | £15.00 a year |
DBS has said the reduction does not change the standard of the checks.
The DBS fee and the admin fee: what you are paying for
Most employers cannot send a Standard or Enhanced application to DBS themselves. The application has to go through a registered body, and most organisations use an umbrella body, which is a registered body that processes checks on behalf of others.
The total you pay is made up of two parts:
- The DBS fee, which goes straight to DBS. It is the same whichever umbrella body you use, and no VAT is charged on it.
- The umbrella body’s admin fee, which pays for checking that the role is eligible for the level of check requested, checking the form for errors, confirming the applicant’s identity, submitting the application and following it up until the certificate is issued. VAT is charged on this part.
Our guide to the different types of DBS check in the UK explains the levels in more detail.
What Cavity DBS charges
- Admin fee: £13.50 + VAT per application.
- Admin fee for teams: £12.00 + VAT per application when you send us more than three at once.
- Online document verification: £13.50 + VAT, if you would like us to verify the applicant’s ID online using facial recognition.
- DBS fee: passed on at cost, with nothing added.
We process Standard and Enhanced checks. If you are not sure which level a role needs, our guide on Standard and Enhanced DBS checks will help, or you can call us and we will tell you.
Worked example: the total cost of an Enhanced check
Most of the dental and healthcare staff we check need an Enhanced check. For one applicant, the total is:
| Item | Cost |
|---|---|
| DBS fee for an Enhanced check | £41.00 |
| Cavity DBS admin fee (£13.50 + VAT) | £16.20 |
| Total | £57.20 |
If the applicant also uses our online document verification, add £16.20 (£13.50 + VAT), which brings the total to £73.40.
For a practice checking five members of staff at the same time, the admin fee drops to £12.00 + VAT (£14.40) per person, so each Enhanced check costs £55.40 and the five together cost £277.00.
Are DBS checks free for volunteers?
DBS does not charge its fee for a Standard or Enhanced check when the applicant meets its definition of a volunteer: someone who gives their time unpaid, apart from reasonable expenses, to do something that benefits someone other than a close relative. People on a work placement as part of a course, and trainees who are paid, do not count as volunteers.
The umbrella body’s admin fee still applies to a volunteer check, so a volunteer Enhanced check with Cavity DBS costs £16.20. Basic checks are never free. You can read more in our guide to DBS checks for volunteers.
Is the Update Service worth £15 a year?
For most people who work with patients, yes. The Update Service keeps your Standard or Enhanced certificate up to date, and with your consent any employer can check online, free of charge, that nothing new has been added since it was issued. If your next role is in the same workforce and needs the same level of check, you may not need a new certificate at all.
You can join while your application is being processed, using your application reference number, or within 30 days of the date of issue printed on your certificate. Miss that window and you will need a new check before you can subscribe. Volunteers can join free of charge. Our guide on how to maintain a DBS certificate explains how the service works.
Who pays: the employer or the applicant?
There is no rule that says who must pay. Many dental practices and healthcare employers pay for their staff’s checks, especially for new starters and for rechecks the employer has asked for. Some ask the applicant to pay, or deduct the cost from wages. If you do that, make sure the deduction does not take the person’s pay below the National Minimum Wage.
If you are self employed, you will usually pay for your own check. Since January 2026, self employed people in eligible roles have been able to apply for their own Enhanced check through an umbrella body.
Frequently asked questions
Does an Enhanced check with barred list checks cost more?
No. The DBS fee is £41.00 for an Enhanced check whether or not it includes a check of the children’s or adults’ barred lists.
Do I pay VAT on a DBS check?
No VAT is charged on the DBS fee itself. VAT is added to the umbrella body’s admin fee and to any optional services, such as online document verification.
How much does a Basic DBS check cost?
The DBS fee for a Basic check is £20.00. Cavity DBS processes Standard and Enhanced checks, so if a role only needs a Basic check you can apply directly to DBS on GOV.UK.
Start your DBS check
Know which check you need? Start your DBS application online in minutes, or email compliance@cavitydentalstaff.co.uk to arrange checks for your whole team at a reduced admin fee.
