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Home » How Do I Remove Spent Convictions From DBS?

How Do I Remove Spent Convictions From DBS?

If you have a criminal record and you are applying for a job in the UK, it is completely natural to worry about what will show up on a DBS check. Many people ask the same question:

“How do I remove spent convictions from my DBS?”

The short answer is this: You usually cannot physically remove or delete convictions from police records. However, some spent convictions and cautions can be filtered, which means they will not appear on a Standard or Enhanced DBS check.

This guide explains everything, so you can clearly understand:

  • What “spent” means
  • What DBS filtering is
  • Which convictions can stop showing on a DBS
  • What you need to do (and what you don’t)
  • How this affects your job applications

If you are feeling anxious, confused, or overwhelmed — you are not alone. Let’s go through this step by step.

Understanding DBS Checks First

Before talking about removal, it helps to understand how DBS checks work.

The Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) provides criminal record checks for employers. There are three main types:

Basic DBS Check

  • Shows unspent convictions only
  • Once a conviction is spent, it will not appear
  • Anyone can apply for this

Standard DBS Check

  • Shows spent and unspent convictions and cautions
  • Some records can be filtered

Enhanced DBS Check

  • Same as Standard, plus:
    • Police intelligence (if relevant)
    • Used for roles involving children or vulnerable adults

If your job only needs a Basic DBS, spent convictions are already hidden. The real concern usually comes with Standard or Enhanced checks.

What Does “Spent” Mean?

A conviction becomes spent after a certain amount of time has passed. This is set out in the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974.

Once a conviction is spent:

  • You are treated as rehabilitated
  • You usually do not have to disclose it
  • It will not show on a Basic DBS check

The length of time depends on:

  • The sentence you received
  • Whether you were an adult or under 18
  • The type of disposal (fine, community order, prison, etc.)

Being spent does not automatically mean it disappears from Standard or Enhanced DBS checks. That is where filtering comes in.

Can You Remove Spent Convictions From DBS?

This is an important point to be very clear about.

You cannot remove or delete convictions from police records.
You can have certain convictions filtered from DBS certificates.

Filtering means:

  • The conviction or caution will not appear on a Standard or Enhanced DBS check
  • It stays on police records
  • Employers should never see it

So when people talk about “removing” convictions from DBS, what they usually mean is getting them filtered.

What Is DBS Filtering?

DBS filtering is a legal process that decides:

  • Which spent convictions and cautions can stay hidden
  • Which ones must still be disclosed

The rules changed on 28 November 2020 after a Supreme Court decision. These changes made filtering fairer and apply retrospectively, meaning older convictions can also benefit.

Once a conviction or caution is filtered:

  • It does not appear on Standard or Enhanced DBS checks
  • You do not need to disclose it
  • Employers must ignore it if they somehow become aware of it

Convictions And Cautions That Can Never Be Filtered

Some records will always show, no matter how old they are.

Prison Sentences

If you received:

  • A prison sentence
  • A suspended prison sentence

That conviction can never be filtered, even if it is spent.

Specified (Serious) Offences

There is a long list of offences that cannot be filtered. These usually involve:

  • Serious violence
  • Sexual offences
  • Safeguarding children or vulnerable adults

If you were convicted of one of these offences:

  • It will always appear on Standard and Enhanced DBS checks

The full list is published by the UK government and contains over 1,000 offences.

Youth Cautions, Reprimands And Final Warnings

This is one of the biggest changes introduced in 2020.

If you received:

  • A youth caution
  • A reprimand
  • A final warning

These no longer appear on any DBS check, regardless of the offence.

This applies automatically. You do not need to apply or request anything.

Filtering Rules For Cautions

If your caution relates to a filterable offence, it may be filtered after a certain time.

Adult Cautions

  • Filtered after 6 years

Youth Cautions

  • Filtered after 2 years

Once filtered:

  • It will not appear on Standard or Enhanced DBS checks
  • You do not have to disclose it

Filtering Rules For Convictions

Convictions can also be filtered, as long as they meet the rules.

Youth Convictions (Under 18 At The Time)

  • Must not be for a specified offence
  • Must not involve a prison sentence
  • Filtered after 5 years and 6 months

Adult Convictions (18 Or Over)

  • Must not be for a specified offence
  • Must not involve a prison sentence
  • Filtered after 11 years

Multiple Convictions

Before 2020, having more than one conviction meant nothing could be filtered.
That rule has now changed.

You can have multiple convictions filtered, as long as:

  • Each offence is eligible
  • None resulted in a prison or suspended sentence

Do You Need To Apply To Get Convictions Filtered?

This is a relief for many people.

No application is needed.
Filtering happens automatically.

When you apply for a Standard or Enhanced DBS check:

  • The DBS applies the filtering rules
  • Eligible convictions and cautions are left off the certificate

If something appears that you believe should have been filtered, you can challenge it.

What If My Filtered Conviction Still Appears?

If a conviction or caution appears on your DBS check and you believe it should be filtered:

  • You can raise a DBS dispute
  • The DBS will review the information
  • Errors can and do get corrected

It is worth checking carefully, especially with older records.

Do I Have To Tell Employers About Spent Or Filtered Convictions?

This depends on the level of DBS check.

Basic DBS Check

  • You only need to disclose unspent convictions

Standard Or Enhanced DBS Check

  • You do not need to disclose filtered convictions or cautions
  • Employers are not allowed to consider them

If an employer asks about convictions:

  • They should clearly state whether they mean unfiltered convictions only
  • If your record is filtered, you can legally say no

Can Employers Ask For A Higher DBS Check?

No.

An employer:

  • Must only request the level of DBS check required for the role
  • Cannot ask for a Standard or Enhanced check if a Basic check is enough

Requesting a higher-level check without legal justification can lead to criminal penalties for the employer.

Enhanced DBS And Police Discretion

This is something people often worry about.

With Enhanced DBS checks, the police can sometimes disclose additional information, even if a conviction has been filtered. However:

  • This is rare
  • It must be relevant to the role
  • Strict legal guidance must be followed

This usually only affects roles involving high safeguarding risks.

Can I Clear My Record Completely?

There is a lot of misinformation online about “clearing” criminal records.

To be clear:

  • Convictions are not erased
  • Police records remain
  • DBS filtering controls what employers see

In very limited situations, people may apply for:

  • Record deletion (for example, wrongful arrest)
  • This is rare and assessed case by case

For most people, filtering is the realistic and lawful solution.

Practical Steps You Should Take

If you are worried about DBS checks, here is what you can do:

  1. Check what level of DBS your role requires
  2. Understand whether your conviction is spent
  3. Check if the offence is filterable
  4. Know the relevant time periods
  5. Do not disclose filtered convictions
  6. Challenge errors if they appear

You do not need to panic or guess. The rules are clearer now than they were in the past.

Final Thoughts

If you are asking how to remove spent convictions from DBS, it usually means you want a fair chance to move on with your life. The law now recognises that people can and do change.

While you cannot delete convictions from police records, DBS filtering exists to protect you from unnecessary disclosure. If your conviction is eligible, it will stay out of sight — and you can focus on your future, not your past.

If you are unsure about your specific situation, it may help to seek guidance from organisations that specialise in criminal records and rehabilitation. Knowledge is power, and understanding your rights can make a real difference.