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Go to the apply-now pageWhat Does a CRB Certificate Look Like
This page translates the official guidance into plain English for tutors, parents, schools and tutoring organisations.
What Does a CRB Certificate Look Like is usually about what the document looks like in practice and how to check it properly. The safest approach is to expect an original paper certificate for Standard and Enhanced checks and to review the issue date, identity details, workforce, and any disclosed content.
Many searchers still use CRB language, but CRB was replaced by DBS, so modern guidance normally appears under DBS wording. This page turns the official guidance into a tutor-friendly explanation, keeping the wording simple without losing the important legal distinctions around level, route, and eligibility. It also fits into the wider “crb check what is” content cluster, so related pages on this site cover the adjacent questions people usually ask next.
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Quick takeaways
- Standard and Enhanced certificates are usually checked as original paper documents.
- Issue date, identity details, workforce and disclosed content all matter.
- Security features help show whether a certificate is genuine.
- Reprints have time limits and are not a substitute for careful checking.
What a certificate page should explain
When people search for examples or samples, they are usually trying to understand what fields appear on the document rather than memorise the layout. The key fields to inspect are the applicant’s identity details, the level of check, the workforce, the position applied for, the date of issue, and any disclosed content.
For Standard and Enhanced routes, the practical rule is to review the original paper certificate. DBS guidance says copies and digital photographs are not acceptable substitutes when someone is making a recruitment or suitability decision.
- Look at the issue date.
- Check the name and date of birth against ID.
- Check the level and workforce wording.
- Review whether any information has been disclosed.
How to tell whether the certificate is genuine
A genuine DBS certificate also has security features. Employers and private individuals are encouraged to look at the document itself rather than rely on screenshots or casual assurances.
If you are unsure whether a certificate is genuine, do not guess. Compare the details carefully, insist on the original document, and follow the official fraud-reporting route if something looks wrong.
- Original certificates are larger than A4.
- They are printed on both sides.
- They include branding and watermark-style security features.
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This site is designed to make the decision clear first, then point you to the next practical step.
Online access, reprints and common misunderstandings
People often search for an image because they want certainty. In practice, understanding what each field means is more valuable than seeing a mock-up, because that is what helps you read the document correctly in real life.
A tutor, parent or employer should be able to explain the difference between the certificate’s identity details, the role description, and the actual disclosure section.
What to do next
Once you know what to look for, the next step is not another sample image but the correct route for the real role. That is especially true for tutors, because people often compare certificates from schools, agencies and private routes without understanding the paperwork behind them.
If your research is turning into a real application decision, treat this page as the clarity step rather than the final admin step. Once you know the level and route you actually need, use the apply-now page to move forward in a tutor-focused way.
Common questions
Should I accept a photo of a DBS certificate?
No. DBS guidance says original certificates should be inspected; copies or phone photos are not acceptable substitutes.
Can I download any DBS certificate online?
No. Basic certificates have online-viewing options, but Standard and Enhanced certificates are usually posted to the applicant.
What details should I inspect first?
Check the issue date, identity details, level, workforce and any disclosed content.
Can a lost certificate be reprinted?
Yes, but only within the official reprint window and subject to the reprint rules.
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Related guides
Ready to stop comparing routes?
This site is designed to make the decision clear first, then point you to the next practical step.
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