If you need an Enhanced DBS check and you do not have an employer to apply on your behalf, you now have a direct route. Since January 2026, self-employed workers in England and Wales can apply for an Enhanced DBS check for themselves for the first time.
This guide explains who qualifies for an Enhanced DBS check, how the process works when you are applying for yourself, and what it costs.
Can I Get an Enhanced DBS Check for Myself?
Who Qualifies for an Enhanced DBS Check?
Not everyone can apply for an Enhanced DBS check for themselves. You must be carrying out paid work in a role that meets the legal definition of regulated activity. This typically includes:
- Private tutors and home educators working with children
- Self-employed childminders, nannies, and au pairs
- Private carers providing personal care at home
- Therapists, counsellors, and psychologists seeing vulnerable clients
- Music teachers, sports coaches, and activity instructors working with under-18s
- Tradespeople regularly working unsupervised in homes with vulnerable occupants
Â
The key factor is the nature of your work, not your job title. If your role brings you into regular, unsupervised contact with children or vulnerable adults, you are likely eligible for an Enhanced DBS check for yourself.
This route applies to paid self-employed workers only. Volunteers are not covered and should apply through the organisation they volunteer with.
How to Apply for an Enhanced DBS Check for Yourself
Without an employer, you apply through a registered platform that is authorised to process Enhanced DBS applications on behalf of individuals. The process is straightforward.
You complete your application online, verify your identity digitally, and the application is submitted on your behalf. Your certificate is posted to your home address once the check is complete. In most cases the entire process is handled online, though some applications may require documents to be verified through a Post Office.
Full details of the application process, including what documents you will need, are covered in the self-employed DBS checks guide.
How to Get an Enhanced DBS Check for Myself
Applying for an individual DBS check as a self-employed person follows five steps. The process is the same whether you need a Standard, Enhanced, or Enhanced with Barred List check.Â
Confirm eligibility
You must be paid and in a qualifying role. Unpaid and volunteer work is not covered.
Create an account
Self-employed workers cannot apply directly to the DBS. We handle that process for you.
Complete application
Provide your personal details, five years of address history, and your role information.
Verify your identity
Digitally with a biometric passport or EU ID card, or by submitting standard documents.
Get your certificate
Your certificate is posted directly to your home. Show the original to your client or parent.
How Much Does an Enhanced DBS Check Cost?
The government’s statutory fee for an Enhanced DBS check is £49.50. This applies whether the check includes a barred list search or not. A processing fee is added by the platform handling your application. No payment is taken until your application is ready to submit.
For self-employed workers, this is a legitimate business expense. A full breakdown of fees for each check type is available on the DBS check costs page.
If you only need a Basic DBS check, which shows unspent convictions only, that is handled directly through GOV.UK and is not processed through this platform.
How Long Does an Enhanced DBS Check Take?
Most Enhanced DBS checks are returned within two to four weeks. The exact timeframe depends on the local police forces involved in the check. Digital identity verification speeds up the early stages of the process.
Once your certificate arrives, you can register for the DBS Update Service within 30 days. This costs £16 per year and allows clients to verify your certificate status online, so you do not need to apply for a new check each time you take on work.
Enhanced DBS Check vs Basic DBS Check
If you are unsure whether you need an Enhanced DBS check for yourself or a Basic check, the distinction is simple. A Basic DBS check shows unspent convictions only. It is available to anyone and is suitable for roles that do not involve close work with children or vulnerable adults.
An Enhanced DBS check for yourself is appropriate when your work involves regulated activity. It provides a far more detailed picture, including spent convictions, police intelligence, and barred list searches. Most clients, parents, and commissioners working with self-employed professionals in safeguarding-sensitive roles will expect an Enhanced check.
This guide applies to self-employed workers in England and Wales only. Self-employed workers in Scotland should apply through Disclosure Scotland. In Northern Ireland, the equivalent service is AccessNI. This page is for guidance only and does not constitute legal advice. If you have questions about your specific circumstances, contact our support team or consult a qualified legal adviser.
Ready to apply for your DBS check as a sole trader?Â
Self-employed-dbs.co.uk processes Enhanced and Standard DBS applications for self-employed workers in England and Wales. No employer needed.