Scotland and Northern Ireland
Basic disclosure in Scotland, now called Level 1
Choose where the job is: which body issues the basic check and what it costs.
Who issues your basic check, and its price
Level 1 disclosure from Disclosure Scotland
£25
| Average wait | 3.5 days |
| Apply yourself online | Yes |
| Minimum age | 16 |
In Scotland the basic check is called a Level 1 disclosure.
In Scotland the basic disclosure has been replaced by the Level 1 disclosure, issued by Disclosure Scotland. It is the lowest level: it shows the date it was issued, your name, your date of birth and any unspent convictions. Anyone can apply for one, for an employer or for personal reasons such as a visa application. It costs £25, paid by card, against £20 for a basic DBS check in England and Wales since 5 October 2026. You apply online on mygov.scot after signing in with ScotAccount, which you can create during the application with a personal email address. An application is usually processed within 14 days unless Disclosure Scotland needs more information, and across all its checks Disclosure Scotland reported an average of 3.5 days from April to June 2026. There is no paper certificate: you receive an email with a secure link to view the disclosure online and share it with the organisation that asked for it. Apply in Scotland if the role is in Scotland; for a role in England or Wales, apply to DBS.
Fees and rules checked by Radif Partners · Editorial policy · How the figures are built
Level 1 against the other basic checks
| Scotland, Level 1 | England and Wales, basic DBS | Northern Ireland, AccessNI basic | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fee | £25 | £20 | £16 |
| Sign-in | ScotAccount | GOV.UK One Login | nidirect account |
| Certificate | Digital only | Paper, also viewable online | Sent to you, free reprint within 90 days |
| Latest average | 3.5 days | 0.7 days | 3 days |
How to apply
The mygov.scot Level 1 page sets three steps. Complete the application after signing in with ScotAccount, using a personal email address. Track it in your account. When it is processed, open the secure link in the email from Disclosure Scotland, check your junk folder if it does not arrive, and share the disclosure with the organisation that asked for it.
When you need more than Level 1
A Level 1 disclosure does not show spent convictions or barred list status. For specific roles such as solicitors or prison workers, the organisation starts a Level 2 application, also £25 on the fees page; for regulated roles with children or protected adults, it is the PVG scheme (disclosure levels).
What a Level 1 disclosure is used for
The most common reason is to share it with an employer, who uses it to help decide whether you are right for a role. You can also get one for any purpose, such as a visa application, where you may be asked to have it verified; mygov.scot has a page on verification. Because it shows only unspent convictions, a conviction stops appearing once its disclosure period has ended and it becomes spent.
Help and offline options
If you cannot apply online, mygov.scot lists offline options. Disclosure Scotland runs a helpline on 0300 020 0040, open Monday to Thursday 9am to 4pm and Friday 9am to 3.30pm, and answers questions by email. It cannot tell you whether an employer will accept your disclosure: ask the employer.
Level 1 and an English job
A Level 1 disclosure is meant for roles in Scotland. If you live in Scotland and the job is in England or Wales, mygov.scot sends you to DBS, and the GOV.UK service charges £20. Ask the employer which body it wants before you pay twice.