Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) Support

A Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check is a background check that helps employers make safer recruitment decisions. It reveals any criminal history and determines whether someone is barred from working with children or vulnerable adults.

There are two types of DBS checks, a Basic DBS check and an Enhanced DBS check. A Basic DBS check is typically sufficient for supporting artist work.

For more information, see our DBS Certificates page.

For supporting artists, especially those working on shoots involving minors, vulnerable people or sensitive content, production companies and casting agents may require you to undergo a DBS check and provide a DBS certificate to ensure a safe and compliant working environment.

For an increasing number of productions, a DBS check is a mandatory requirement. Having a valid DBS certificate in place can help you to secure work as a supporting artist.

For more information, see our DBS Certificates page.

It’s quick and easy to apply for a Basic DBS certificate.

1. Go to the government website.
2. Choose your region (England/Wales or Scotland/Northern Ireland, depending on where you live).
3. Provide your ID and personal information.
4. Pay the fee.
5. Your application will be processed (this usually takes up to three days) and a paper certificate will then be posted to you

Note: If you’re based in Scotland, you can also apply for a DBS certificate via Disclosure Scotland’s online portal.

For more information, see our DBS Certificates page.

Please upload your DBS certificate to the relevant field in the ID Documents tab of your profile and enter your DBS certificate number. If you are registered with the DBS Update Service, select Yes from the dropdown.

Once your DBS certificate has been reviewed by our team, this field will lock and will remain locked while your certificate is within 18 months of its issue date, which is considered a standard period of validity in the film and TV industry.

After this period, your DBS upload field will unlock and you will receive an automatic email requesting that a new certificate be uploaded.

If you are registered with the DBS Update Service, a member of our team will update your DBS status on your profile when your certificate renews (provided that you have included the correct linked DBS certificate number on your profile).

For more information, see our DBS Certificates page.

Once your DBS certificate has been reviewed by our team, this field will lock and will remain locked while your certificate is within 18 months of its issue date, which is considered a standard period of validity in the film and TV industry.

After this period, your DBS upload field will unlock and you will receive an automatic email requesting that a new certificate be uploaded. If you are registered with the DBS Update Service, a member of our team will update your DBS status on your profile when your certificate renews (provided that you have included the correct linked DBS certificate number on your profile).

If you wish to provide an updated DBS certificate before your current one expires, please upload your new certificate to the secondary DBS slot for review.

For more information, see our DBS Certificates page.