This page translates the official guidance into plain English for tutors, parents, schools and tutoring organisations.
Digital sharing works differently by certificate level. A Basic certificate can use an online-account consent route, while eligible Standard and Enhanced certificates use the Update Service status-check process.
A lot of confusion comes from mixing up the application reference number, the certificate number, the Update Service, and the separate DBS online account tools, so this page untangles those terms in plain English.
Need a tutor-focused next step?
Use the apply-now page when you want to move from explanation to action.
Quick takeaways
- The Update Service is for Standard and Enhanced certificates only.
- Basic checks use a different online-account route.
- Portability only works where the same level and workforce apply.
- Consent matters before anyone checks a certificate’s current status.
Start by checking the certificate level
If the certificate is Basic, use the official online-account guidance for managing consent and sharing access. If it is Standard or Enhanced, do not look for the same kind of Basic sharing code: the relevant route may be an Update Service status check using the original certificate, provided the role and subscription qualify. This first distinction prevents most dead ends. Generate or disclose access only to the specific person or organisation that needs it.
Step-by-step choice of sharing route
Read the certificate level. For Basic, sign in through the official online-account route and use its consent controls for the intended recipient. For Standard or Enhanced, check whether an active Update Service subscription exists and whether the recipient is entitled to check that certificate for the role. Keep the original available. If neither route applies, do not invent a code or forward credentials; ask what evidence the recipient lawfully needs.
What people usually mean by a DBS share code
When people search for a DBS share code, they are usually looking for a quick way to let someone else see certificate information. The important thing is that not every DBS product works the same way.
A consent code is associated with sharing access to a Basic certificate through the DBS online-account tools. That is different from the Update Service process used for Standard and Enhanced certificates.
- Basic certificate sharing and Update Service checks are not the same workflow.
- Consent is central before someone else can view or verify status.
- There is no single universal ‘DBS share code’ for every certificate type.
How the sharing routes differ by product
For a Basic certificate, the online-account tools can let the certificate holder manage consent and allow a third party to view the certificate. For Standard and Enhanced certificates, the practical equivalent is usually the original paper certificate plus an Update Service status check where lawful and applicable.
That is why share-code pages should focus on process clarity, not just jargon. The wrong assumption here leads people to expect digital access to documents that are actually managed differently.
Check the tutor application route
Use the application page after confirming the check level and route that fit your situation.
Good practice for tutors
Tutors should also remember that certificate information is sensitive. Even where sharing is lawful, the point is controlled viewing for a suitability decision, not casual forwarding or permanent over-sharing.
The safest next step is not to guess. Confirm the role, level and route, then move to the apply-now page when you want a tutor-focused process rather than another explainer.
Common questions
Is the Update Service available for Basic checks?
No. The Update Service is for Standard and Enhanced certificates only.
Is a DBS online account the same as the Update Service?
No. They are separate tools with different purposes.
Can a certificate move from one job to another automatically?
Not automatically. The new role must be entitled to the same level and workforce, and the certificate holder must consent to the status check.
Do employers need consent before checking status?
Yes. Consent and legal entitlement both matter.
Ready to apply?
Need the tutor-focused route rather than another explainer? Use the apply-now page.