How much does a basic DBS check cost?

GOV.UK lists the cost of a basic DBS check as £20 at the time of writing. Check the GOV.UK page for the current fee before applying.

Can a self-employed cleaner get an enhanced DBS check?

Only if the role is eligible, for example some work with children or vulnerable adults. Since January 2026, eligible self-employed people apply through a DBS umbrella body.

How long does a DBS check last?

A DBS certificate has no official expiry date. It shows information at the date it was issued, so some clients ask for a recent one.

DBS checks for cleaners: what you need to know

Do cleaners need a DBS check? How self-employed cleaners can request a basic DBS check, what it shows and the rules in Scotland and Northern Ireland.

By KleanLinc · Updated 9 November 2026 · 3 min read

Man and woman sitting on a sofa reviewing papers in an orange folder

Many people who hire a cleaner want reassurance before handing over keys. A criminal record check is one way to provide it, and self-employed cleaners can request their own basic DBS check.

This guide explains the different types of check, how to apply as a self-employed cleaner and how to share your certificate.

Do cleaners need a DBS check?

There is no general legal requirement for domestic or office cleaners to have a DBS check. However, many clients ask for one, especially households, landlords and holiday-let managers who give cleaners unsupervised access to property.

The types of DBS check

GOV.UK (opens in a new tab) describes four levels of check:

Basic: shows unspent convictions and conditional cautions.
Standard: shows spent and unspent convictions, cautions, reprimands and final warnings.
Enhanced: the standard check plus relevant information held by local police.
Enhanced with barred lists: also shows whether you are barred from certain work.

Standard and enhanced checks are only available for eligible roles, such as some work with children or vulnerable adults. Most cleaning roles are eligible for a basic check only.

How to request a basic DBS check

If you work in England or Wales, you can request a basic DBS check online (opens in a new tab). At the time of writing, GOV.UK says:

you must be 16 or over
the check costs £20
you prove your identity using GOV.UK One Login
you need your addresses for the last 5 years
it usually takes up to 3 days to process

Fees and steps can change. Always check the GOV.UK page before you apply.

Enhanced checks for self-employed people

From January 2026, self-employed people in eligible roles can apply for an enhanced check through a DBS umbrella body. DBS guidance for self-employed people (opens in a new tab) explains how to check whether your role is eligible. If your cleaning work does not meet the eligibility rules, a basic check is the right one.

Scotland and Northern Ireland

In Scotland, basic checks are provided by Disclosure Scotland (opens in a new tab). In Northern Ireland, checks are provided by AccessNI. The process and fees differ, so check the relevant service.

Sharing your certificate safely

Show clients your certificate rather than sending copies to everyone who asks. Some clients are happy to see it in person. Keep your personal details private where you can.

On the planned KleanLinc platform, employers will not receive copies of private identity, address, right-to-work or DBS documents through the normal platform flow. They may see an administrative review status only, which is not a guarantee. KleanLinc is a UK platform preparing to launch. Joining the Founding Cleaner list is free and records your interest only: it does not create a live account or guarantee work.

Frequently asked questions

How much does a basic DBS check cost?: GOV.UK lists the cost of a basic DBS check as £20 at the time of writing. Check the GOV.UK page for the current fee before applying.
Can a self-employed cleaner get an enhanced DBS check?: Only if the role is eligible, for example some work with children or vulnerable adults. Since January 2026, eligible self-employed people apply through a DBS umbrella body.
How long does a DBS check last?: A DBS certificate has no official expiry date. It shows information at the date it was issued, so some clients ask for a recent one.

Official sources

This guide is general information, not legal, tax or financial advice. Rules and fees change, so check the official source for your situation. KleanLinc is preparing to launch; platform features described here are planned, not live.