A basic DBS check can be useful when you need to prove your criminal record status for work, volunteering or an overseas request. It is often requested by employers, agencies, schools, private organisations and some overseas authorities.

However, using a basic DBS check abroad is not always straightforward. Some countries may accept it for employment or background screening, while others may ask for an ACRO police certificate instead, especially for visa, immigration or residency purposes.

If the basic DBS certificate is being submitted outside the UK, it may also need to be legalised with an apostille. In many cases, the document must be certified correctly before the apostille can be issued.

This guide explains what a basic DBS check is, when it may be accepted overseas, when apostille is required and how to avoid sending the wrong criminal record document.

What is a basic DBS check?

A basic DBS check is a criminal record check issued by the Disclosure and Barring Service. It shows unspent convictions and conditional cautions.

GOV.UK describes a basic DBS check as a copy of your criminal record, also called basic disclosure. It is available for people working in England and Wales, and individuals can apply for it themselves.

A basic DBS check is the lowest level of DBS check. It is different from standard and enhanced DBS checks, which show more information and must usually be requested through an eligible employer or organisation.

Who can apply for a basic DBS check?

Anyone aged 16 or over can apply for a basic DBS check. GOV.UK guidance states that there are no legislative or eligibility requirements for a basic DBS check, so anyone aged 16 or over can apply at any time.

You can apply directly yourself, or an employer can apply through a Responsible Organisation if they have your consent.

This makes a basic DBS check more accessible than standard or enhanced checks, which cannot normally be requested by an individual for themselves.

What does a basic DBS certificate show?

A basic DBS certificate shows unspent convictions and conditional cautions.

It does not show the same level of information as a standard or enhanced DBS certificate. It also does not include barred list information.

This means a basic DBS check may be suitable for general employment or personal background checks, but it may not be enough for roles involving children, vulnerable adults or regulated activity.

For overseas use, the receiving authority decides whether a basic DBS certificate is acceptable.

Basic DBS vs standard DBS vs enhanced DBS

There are different levels of DBS check.

A basic DBS check shows unspent convictions and conditional cautions. It can be requested by the individual.

A standard DBS check may show spent and unspent convictions, cautions, reprimands and final warnings, subject to filtering rules. It must be requested through an eligible employer or organisation.

An enhanced DBS check includes standard check information and may also include relevant information held by local police. Some enhanced checks can include barred list checks for eligible roles.

GOV.UK explains that applicants can apply for a basic check themselves, but standard and enhanced checks must be requested through the employer or organisation asking for the check.

When can a basic DBS check be used overseas?

A basic DBS check may be requested overseas for:

• employment screening
• private tutoring or education-related roles
• volunteering abroad
• seasonal work
• au pair or childcare-related applications
• sports coaching
• professional registration
• contractor onboarding
• local authority checks
• some visa or residency-related requests
• general proof of criminal record status

However, the exact requirement depends on the organisation asking for the document.

Some overseas employers may use “DBS check” as a general term for a UK background check. Others may specifically require a police certificate, which could mean ACRO rather than DBS.

Basic DBS or ACRO for overseas use

This is one of the most important points to check before applying.

A basic DBS check and an ACRO police certificate are different documents.

A basic DBS check is often used for employment and general background screening. An ACRO police certificate is commonly used for visas, immigration, residency, citizenship and overseas police clearance.

GOV.UK’s basic DBS guidance tells applicants that ACRO can provide a police certificate for people who want to emigrate, travel, need a visa to live or work abroad, or want citizenship or residency in another country.

If an embassy, immigration authority or visa centre asks for a “police certificate”, “police clearance certificate” or “certificate of good conduct”, check whether they mean ACRO before ordering a basic DBS.

Does a basic DBS check need an apostille?

A basic DBS certificate may need an apostille if it is being used outside the UK.

An apostille confirms the recognised UK signature, stamp, seal or certification attached to the document. The UK Legalisation Office checks whether the signature, stamp or seal is genuine before attaching an apostille.

For a basic DBS certificate, the apostille is often attached after the document has been certified by a solicitor or notary. This is because the FCDO may need to verify the professional certification rather than the DBS certificate directly.

Why solicitor certification may be needed

A basic DBS certificate may need solicitor certification before it can be apostilled.

This may be required if:

• the FCDO cannot verify the DBS certificate directly
• you are submitting a copy
• the certificate is digital or printed from an online account
• the overseas authority asks for a certified copy
• the document needs to be prepared for apostille legalisation
• the destination country has strict document requirements

The solicitor certification must be clear and suitable for FCDO legalisation. If the wording is incorrect or the solicitor’s details cannot be verified, the apostille application may be delayed or rejected.

Paper basic DBS certificate vs digital result

Some applicants can view or share basic DBS results online, but an overseas authority may still ask for a physical certificate or legalised document.

For apostille purposes, the format matters. A simple screenshot, downloaded result or printed page may not be accepted unless it is prepared and certified correctly.

Before ordering apostille, check whether the receiving authority accepts:

• the original paper DBS certificate
• a solicitor-certified copy
• a printed digital result
• an apostilled certified copy
• an e-Apostille
• a paper apostille

If they require a physical document, a paper apostille may be safer than an e-Apostille.

How to get a basic DBS check ready for overseas use

The process usually works as follows.

1. confirm the document required

Check whether the overseas authority wants a basic DBS, ACRO police certificate, standard DBS, enhanced DBS, Disclosure Scotland certificate or AccessNI certificate.

Do not rely only on general wording such as “criminal record check”.

2. apply for the basic DBS check

Apply through the official DBS route or through a Responsible Organisation if your employer is handling the application.

3. check the certificate details

When the certificate is issued, check your name, date of birth and address details carefully.

If there is an error, resolve it before legalisation.

4. check whether the document must be recent

Many overseas authorities require criminal record checks to be recent, often issued within the last three or six months.

5. arrange solicitor certification if required

If the basic DBS certificate cannot be apostilled directly, arrange correct solicitor or notary certification.

6. submit for FCDO apostille

Once the document is ready, it can be submitted for apostille legalisation.

7. arrange embassy attestation if needed

If the destination country does not accept apostille alone, further embassy or consular legalisation may be required.

8. arrange translation if required

If the document is being used in a non-English-speaking country, a certified translation may also be needed.

How long does a basic DBS apostille take?

The total timescale depends on several stages:

• basic DBS application processing
• delivery or access to the certificate
• solicitor or notary certification
• FCDO apostille processing
• embassy attestation, if required
• certified translation, if required
• courier delivery

The apostille stage can only start once the correct certificate has been issued and prepared properly.

If you have a visa appointment, job start date or relocation deadline, start early and confirm the exact document required before applying.

Does a basic DBS check expire?

A basic DBS certificate does not usually have a fixed expiry date, but the information is only accurate at the date it was issued.

Overseas authorities often set their own validity rules. They may require a criminal record check issued within the last three, six or twelve months.

Before legalising an older basic DBS certificate, ask the receiving authority whether it will still be accepted.

Do you need embassy attestation after apostille?

This depends on the destination country.

If the country accepts apostilles under the Hague Apostille Convention, the FCDO apostille may be enough.

If the country does not accept apostille alone, the document may need embassy or consular legalisation after the apostille.

Embassy attestation can add extra time and may require a paper document, so check the country requirements before choosing the apostille route.

Do you need a translation?

A certified translation may be required if the basic DBS certificate is being used in a country where English is not accepted.

The correct order depends on the destination country. Some authorities want the DBS certificate apostilled first and then translated. Others may require the translation to be certified, notarised or legalised separately.

Before arranging translation, check whether the authority needs:

• the apostilled DBS certificate
• a certified translation
• an apostilled translation
• both English and translated versions
• embassy legalisation
• translation completed in the destination country

Common mistakes to avoid

Common mistakes include:

• applying for basic DBS when ACRO is required
• assuming all UK criminal record checks are the same
• using an old DBS certificate when a recent one is needed
• submitting a screenshot or printed result without certification
• forgetting solicitor certification before apostille
• using incorrect certification wording
• choosing e-Apostille when a paper apostille is required
• forgetting embassy attestation for non-Hague countries
• translating the certificate in the wrong order
• leaving the process too late before a visa or job deadline

These mistakes can cause delays or rejection by the overseas authority.

How we can help

We can help prepare your basic DBS certificate for overseas use.

Our service can include checking whether basic DBS is the correct document, advising whether ACRO may be required instead, reviewing your certificate format, arranging solicitor or notary certification, submitting the document for FCDO apostille, advising on embassy attestation and helping with certified translation where needed.

If you are unsure whether your overseas authority will accept a basic DBS check, send us the wording from their request and the country where the document will be used. We can help confirm the safest legalisation route before you spend time and money on the wrong document.