The DBS tracking service is quicker than calling the DBS and can be done at any time, day or night.

All you need is the date of birth of the applicant and the application reference. This is the ‘F’ number if a paper application was submitted to the DBS or an ‘E’ number if the application was submitted via the electronic route.

The application reference number should be available by asking the person who submitted the check.
Applicants can also use the application reference to join the Update Service rather than wait to join with their DBS certificate number.

Employers can also use our multiple online tracking service to view several DBS applications at once.

Period of high demand

The DBS is currently experiencing a period of high demand and a seasonal increase in DBS applications so callers may wait longer than they are used to. We have been doing all we can to reduce call waiting times and information about our services and detailed guidance can be found throughout this website.

By using the DBS tracking service, the progress of an application can be checked quicker than if you were to call the DBS.