Can you make a DBS check get back to you quicker than usual?

Anyone who’s waited for a DBS check knows the feeling. You’re ready to start work, everything’s in place… except the paperwork. The delay might only be a few days — sometimes a couple of weeks — but when there’s a job on hold, it feels longer. So, the obvious question: is there anything you can do to speed it up?

The short answer? Not directly. But there are a few things that can make a difference.

First, how long does it normally take?

It depends on the level of the check. A Basic DBS often comes back within 48 hours, sometimes faster. Standard checks take a little longer – maybe 5 to 10 working days. Enhanced checks, though? That’s where people start tapping their fingers.

Enhanced checks involve local police forces, and this is where the process tends to stall. One force might respond in a day, another could take a few weeks. There’s no fixed timeline, and that’s more than half the frustration.

Things that can help (and things that won’t)

You can’t pay to fast-track a DBS. There’s no “express” option. But you can make sure you’re not the reason for the delay.

• Double-check your details. A small error – a wrong postcode, a missing address – can cause a hold-up. Make sure everything you submit is accurate, especially your address history from the last five years.
  
• Apply online if possible. Postal forms move slower through the system. Online submissions go straight in, with fewer admin steps in between.
  
• Use a good provider. If your employer is applying on your behalf, ask who they’re using. Some umbrella bodies are quicker and better organised than others.
  
• Track the status. The DBS website lets you follow your application. You can see which stage it’s stuck at. If it’s been sitting with a particular police force for over 10 days, your employer might be able to raise a query. That doesn’t guarantee action, but sometimes, it prompts movement.
  

Ask the body that’s processing the check, such as Personnel Checks, if you’ve done everything right in your application. Other than that, you’ll just need to wait it out.

What about special cases?

There is one exception. In urgent care roles (nursing homes, for example), an employer might request a DBS Adult First check. This gives a quick yes/no on whether someone is barred from working with vulnerable adults. But it’s not the full DBS, and it’s only for specific positions, not something you can request casually.

If everything goes smoothly, you might have your certificate within a few days. But if your application lands in the queue behind a busy police force, there’s not much you can do except wait. There’s not much you can do in these situations, other than know that it’s likely just as frustrating for your employer who wants you to get started ASAP.

Still – make sure the form is clean, submitted correctly, and tracked carefully. That’s your best shot at shaving off the extra days.