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The short answer
GOV.UK says basic checks take up to 14 days. Standard and enhanced checks usually take around eight weeks. We checked this guidance on 25 September 2026. These times are estimates, so also allow time to prepare the application, check ID and review the result.
Scope: DBS in England and Wales; sector-specific rules may also apply
Use current guidance when planning
The time depends on the type of check, whether the application is accurate and which police forces are involved. [1] An older article, or another volunteer’s experience, is not a reliable promise for your next application.
A previous check returning quickly does not guarantee a repeat will do so. Likewise, a longer wait is not proof that an applicant has a criminal record. Avoid drawing recruitment conclusions from the amount of time spent at a stage.
What recent DBS figures tell us
About 74 in every 100 enhanced checks were completed within 14 days among those DBS sent out between April and June 2026. The rest took longer. These figures cover all enhanced checks, including paid roles, not just charity volunteers. [2]
Many checks finish quickly, but yours may take longer. Use the planning guidance above when setting deadlines. Also allow time to prepare the application, check ID, receive the certificate and decide whether the volunteer can start.
January–June 2026 · percentage of checks sent out
The black mark shows the DBS target: 80 out of every 100 checks completed within 14 days.
How we calculated these figures
| Month | Checks sent out | Within 14 days | Percentage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan 2026 | 321,302 | 235,340 | 73.2% |
| Feb 2026 | 338,678 | 256,514 | 75.7% |
| Mar 2026 | 374,531 | 281,007 | 75.0% |
| Apr 2026 | 308,292 | 221,863 | 72.0% |
| May 2026 | 319,154 | 235,358 | 73.7% |
| Jun 2026 | 384,558 | 288,198 | 74.9% |
For each month, we divided the number completed within 14 days by the total sent out, then rounded the percentage to one decimal place. The month refers to when DBS sent out the check, not when the person applied. The figures come from columns C–G of the Enhanced Check Performance worksheet.
For April–June, we added the three months together: 745,419 out of 1,012,004 checks, or 73.7%. Rounded to a whole number, that is about 74 in every 100.
The chart shows what happened from January to June 2026. It cannot predict when an individual application will finish or how long it will spend with the police. We checked these figures on 25 September 2026.
The DBS processing time is only part of recruitment
Plan separate dates for asking the volunteer to apply, checking identity, submitting the application, receiving the certificate, reviewing it and confirming the volunteer can start. “We sent an invitation” and “DBS received the application” are different milestones.
A useful event plan also leaves time to resolve missing information, follow up references and brief volunteers. Choose an earlier application deadline than your final staffing deadline, and nominate someone to review outstanding applications each week.
Decide who will handle each step
Use a simple recruitment record like the one below. Give each step a named contact and a deadline. Base your dates on the current guidance, leaving time for delays.
| Step | Who handles it | Record |
|---|---|---|
| Invitation sent | Volunteer coordinator | Application instructions, named contact and next update date |
| Application and ID ready | Applicant and ID checker | Missing details and who will resolve them |
| DBS application submitted | Submitting organisation | Submission date and tracking reference |
| References and other requirements | Recruitment lead | Outstanding actions and follow-up dates |
| Result reviewed | Person making the recruitment decision | Decision and arrangements to welcome and brief the volunteer |
If the deadline is close and checks are still missing, ask the person responsible for recruitment what to do next. An application’s tracking status does not mean the volunteer is ready to start.
What can cause delays?
Incorrect or incomplete personal information can delay a check. List previous names and every address from the last five years. Check that the details match your documents and correct any differences before applying. [3]
If the application stops moving, find out who has it. It may still be with the charity or checking provider rather than DBS. Once it has been submitted, use the official tracker. Ask the organisation that sent it about any requests for corrections. [4]
Keep a brief record of the application reference, the current stage, the last action and who is following up. Share progress with the volunteer without sending their full personal information around the wider event team.
If the event is approaching
Have a backup plan before the last week. You might need another volunteer whose recruitment checks are complete, different duties or a change to the activity. Do not treat supervision as an automatic way to let somebody start duties for which required checks are outstanding.
Any temporary arrangement must meet the rules for your club and the duties involved. Ask the safeguarding lead to record the decision. A tracker showing that a certificate is being printed is not itself a certificate or an appointment approval.
When to ask DBS for help with a delay
Follow DBS instructions for chasing your application. There is a separate process for applicants facing financial hardship or a risk to their employment. The application must have been in progress for more than 28 days and be at the local-police stage. DBS may ask for evidence. [5]
A volunteer event deadline does not automatically meet that test. Contact the submitting organisation with the facts of the delay, and keep working on your backup plan while asking for help with the delay.
Sources and further reading
Last accuracy check: 25 September 2026. We review this series monthly against official guidance. Follow the linked guidance for the full conditions and any later changes.
- GOV.UK: the checking process and current timescales↩
- Disclosure and Barring Service. Dataset 1: enhanced-check performance↩January–March and April–June 2026 releases; checked 25 September 2026.Enhanced Check Performance, columns C–G; monthly observations January–June 2026.
- DBS: current standard/enhanced identity checking guidelines↩
- DBS: track or view your certificate↩
- DBS: detailed guidance, including delay and hardship routes↩
Government guidance is attributed to the bodies linked above. Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0, where applicable. This guide provides general information; decisions depend on the specific role and setting.