Update Service

What is The DBS Update Service?

The DBS Update Service allows you to re-use your DBS Certificate, subject to certain conditions such as: the Level of check, the workforce(s) and Barred List(s) specified, and whether it was for a paid or a voluntary position. It is also up to each employer to decide if they wish to use the DBS Update Service in place of completing a new DBS check. More information is available on the DBS’s Update Service webpage.

If you are subscribed to the DBS Update Service, you may not need to complete a new DBS check for your course if your existing DBS check meets our requirements. Please see below for further details.

If you are not registered with the DBS Update service, you will need to apply for a new DBS check via the University of Cumbria following the instructions on our DBS information webpage. Once you have received your DBS Certificate, you can then choose to join the DBS Update Service if you wish.

How to use an existing DBS Certificate registered with the DBS Update Service

If you are registered with the DBS Update Service, we may be able to accept this in place of completing a new DBS check if it meets the following criteria:

It is an Enhanced DBS check and was carried out for a ‘Paid’ Position. We cannot accept DBS Certificates for voluntary roles.
The DBS Certificate is an exact match to the type and level required for your course.
The DBS Certificate must be in your full current legal name, and show all previous names in the ‘other names’ section of the certificate.
You have the physical original DBS Certificate in your possession. Please note: The Certificate must be readable and in a usable state.

Please follow the steps below to complete our Update Service process:

Step 1 – Provide us with a clear scan/photograph of your DBS Certificate

Email dbs@cumbria.ac.uk with a scanned copy/photograph of your DBS Certificate so that we can check if it meets our requirements. We need to see all pages of your original DBS Certificate, from where it says ‘Enhanced Certificate’ (below your address) and the ‘Disclosure & Barring Service’ logo downwards.

Please Note: This is just to establish whether your existing DBS Certificate is the correct type and level as required for your course. We will still need to see your original DBS Certificate and ID at an in-person appointment to complete the Update Service process itself.

Step 2 – Confirm that your DBS Certificate meets our requirements

We will confirm if your DBS Certificate meets our requirements for your course.

If your DBS Certificate does not meet our requirements, you will need to apply for a new DBS check via the University of Cumbria following the instructions on our DBS information webpage.

If your DBS Certificate does meet our requirements, we will contact you to arrange an in-person appointment (depending on your nearest campus).

During your in-person appointment, we will need to see your original DBS Certificate and original ID (This must be your UK Passport if you have one). If you do not hold a UK Passport, please advise us of this when we contact you to arrange your appointment and we can advise what alternative ID can be used.

Step 3 – Attend your in-person appointment

At your in-person appointment, we will ask for your consent to carry out an online ‘Status Check’ via the DBS Update service. We will then carry out the online ‘Status Check’ to verify the information on your DBS Certificate is still accurate and will confirm if any further action is required by you.

If your DBS Certificate is found to not be registered with the DBS Update Service, we will advise you of this and you will need to apply for a new DBS check via the University of Cumbria.

How do I join the DBS Update Service?

Joining the DBS Update Service is optional and carries an additional fee of £16 per year (correct at the time of writing) to subscribe to it, which you need to renew annually. You would pay this fee on the DBS website at the time of joining the service. More information is available on the DBS’s Update Service webpage.

How to subscribe to the DBS Update service

Go to the DBS's Update Service subscription page

Use your DBS Certificate number (once you have received your DBS Certificate through the post). You must register within 30 days of the date of issue of your DBS Certificate.

Please Note: You cannot join the DBS Update Service via the University of Cumbria's DBS application website. You can only join via the DBS's Update Service subscription page

Keeping Bank Details Updated

In order to keep your subscription with the DBS Update Service active, it is your responsibility to ensure that you update any change in your bank details on your update service account. Unlike a direct debit, if you fail to inform the DBS Update Service of a change in your bank details they will be unable to take your yearly subscription payment and your enrolment with the DBS Update Service will end. Once your subscription has ended, you would no longer be able to re-use the DBS Certificate(s) which you had registered with the DBS Update Service.