Why Is My DBS Taking So Long

Why Is My DBS Taking So Long? Understanding Delays in Background Checks

Waiting for a DBS check to come through can be a frustrating experience especially when a job, volunteer position or placement is on hold until it’s complete. Most people expect it to arrive within a few days or weeks, but delays can and do happen. If you're left wondering why is my DBS taking so long, you’re not alone.

Understanding the process behind a DBS check and the reasons it can take longer than expected can help ease some of that anxiety. Here’s a full explanation of what might be causing the holdup—and what you can do about it.

How Long Should a DBS Check Take?

There are three main types of DBS check in the UK: Basic, Standard and Enhanced. Each one involves different levels of scrutiny, and naturally, the more in-depth checks tend to take longer.

In general, a Basic DBS check can take around one to three working days if applied for online. A Standard or Enhanced DBS check might take up to two weeks, but many are completed in less than that. However, delays of several weeks or even longer are not unheard of particularly with Enhanced checks, which involve local police forces.

What Happens During a DBS Check?

A DBS (Disclosure and Barring Service) check involves gathering information from various sources. For Basic checks, this is limited to a review of unspent convictions from the Police National Computer (PNC). For Standard and Enhanced checks, the process is more complex and includes searching local police records and, in some cases, barred lists for those working with children or vulnerable adults.

Enhanced checks often require input from more than one police force particularly if the applicant has lived in multiple areas over the years. Each force has its own backlog, capacity and turnaround time, which can affect how quickly the check is completed.

Common Reasons for Delays

One of the main causes of delay is the stage at which the local police force becomes involved. Even if the initial parts of the DBS process move quickly, the local police search stage 4 in the Enhanced process can be significantly slower. Some forces are quicker than others, but high demand or staffing issues can cause a bottleneck.

Address mismatches or unclear information can also trigger manual checks, slowing things down further. If your address history is incomplete or your identification details don’t match exactly across systems, it may require extra verification. Similarly, applications with more complex histories such as frequent moves, name changes or overseas addresses can take longer to verify.

Another common issue is incomplete or incorrect application details. Any missing information or errors in the form no matter how small can result in the application being returned or flagged for clarification, which naturally delays processing.

Is There Anything I Can Do While I Wait?

Unfortunately, once a DBS application has been submitted, there’s limited control over the timeline. However, you can track the progress of a Standard or Enhanced DBS check online using the DBS tracking service provided you have the application reference number. This will show which stage the check is at and can give a rough idea of where the delay is occurring.

If your application has been at stage 4 for more than 60 days, your employer or the umbrella body that submitted your application can raise an escalation with the DBS. They can’t speed it up immediately, but it may prompt the relevant police force to prioritise the check.

In the meantime, make sure your employer knows you’re actively checking the status and be prepared to offer supporting information if they request it.

What If It’s Been Too Long?

If your DBS check has been outstanding for several weeks with no progress, the best step is to contact the organisation that submitted it. If you applied through a third party or umbrella body, they may be able to contact the DBS or escalate the issue on your behalf.

You can also contact the DBS directly, though they’re often limited in what they can do unless it’s been a substantial amount of time. Patience is often required, especially with Enhanced checks, but if you're concerned, it’s worth asking your employer to follow up formally.

Final Thoughts: A Slow System, Not Always a Problem

While it’s understandably frustrating when a DBS check takes longer than expected, delays are not unusual especially for Enhanced checks that depend on stretched local police resources. In most cases, it’s not a sign that there’s a problem with your record; it’s just the reality of an overloaded system doing detailed background work.

If everything in your application is correct and you’ve followed up through the proper channels, the best thing you can do is wait. For many, it’s just a case of slow progress not an issue with the check itself.