# Certificate, DBS and Companies House fees url: https://whereyourmoneygoes.co.uk/certificate-dbs-and-companies-house-fees/ updated: 29 September 2026 licence: Our words, analysis, charts and derived calculations: CC BY 4.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), credit [Tekstak Ltd](https://tek-stak.co.uk). Figures: each source's own licence, listed under Sources. publisher: [Tekstak Ltd](https://tek-stak.co.uk) # Certificate, DBS and Companies House fees Last updated 29 September 2026. Figures refresh every night. [How each figure is worked out](/methodology/). A birth, marriage or death certificate is **£12.50** since 28 May 2024, unchanged on a year ago. DBS check fees fall on 5 October 2026 because the service has been making a surplus. Companies House fees rose in February 2026, with incorporation doubling to £100, to fund its new economic crime powers. Figure as of 22 September 2026. Source: [General Register Office (Home Office), or the local register office that issues it](https://www.gov.uk/order-copy-birth-death-marriage-certificate). ## Key figures - £12.50A birth, marriage or death certificate ▬ As of 28 May 2024 - £21.50A basic DBS check ▬ As of 2 December 2024 - £49.50An enhanced DBS check ▬ As of 2 December 2024 - £100Registering a company online ▲ As of 1 February 2026 - 37%Share of the cost of certificates covered by fees 100% would mean fees exactly cover cost 2025–26 Sources: [General Register Office (Home Office), or the local register office that issues it](https://www.gov.uk/order-copy-birth-death-marriage-certificate), [Disclosure and Barring Service](https://www.gov.uk/government/news/dbs-reduces-fees-for-checks-and-update-service-from-5-october-2026), [Companies House (also funds Insolvency Service ECCTA enforcement)](https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/companies-house-fees/companies-house-fees). ## What is the short version? - **Certificates are subsidised.** Certificate fees brought in £29.4m in 2025–26 against £78.6m of cost. - **Faster costs more.** The priority certificate service is £38.50. - **Every company pays each year.** The online confirmation statement is £50, up from £34. - **The DBS Update Service** subscription is £16 a year, and free for volunteers. ## How much are the fees now? £12.50 Birth, marriage or death certificate - standard (GRO, England & Wales) ▬ In force since 28 May 2024. Source: [General Register Office (Home Office), or the local register office that issues it](https://www.gov.uk/order-copy-birth-death-marriage-certificate). Checked by hand 22 September 2026. £38.50 Birth, marriage or death certificate - priority service (GRO) ▬ In force since 28 May 2024. Source: [General Register Office (Home Office)](https://www.gov.uk/order-copy-birth-death-marriage-certificate). Checked by hand 22 September 2026. £21.50 DBS basic check ▬ In force since 2 December 2024. Source: [Disclosure and Barring Service](https://www.gov.uk/government/news/dbs-reduces-fees-for-checks-and-update-service-from-5-october-2026). Checked by hand 22 September 2026. £21.50 DBS standard check ▬ In force since 2 December 2024. Source: [Disclosure and Barring Service](https://www.gov.uk/government/news/dbs-reduces-fees-for-checks-and-update-service-from-5-october-2026). Checked by hand 22 September 2026. | Fee | Now | A year ago | Year on year | Since | Meant to cover | | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | | [Birth, marriage or death certificate - standard (GRO, England & Wales)](https://www.gov.uk/order-copy-birth-death-marriage-certificate)Details | £12.50 | £12.50 | no change | 28 May 2024 | Below cost | | A year ago£12.50Year on yearno changeSince28 May 2024Meant to coverBelow cost | | | | | | | [Birth, marriage or death certificate - priority service (GRO)](https://www.gov.uk/order-copy-birth-death-marriage-certificate)Details | £38.50 | £38.50 | no change | 28 May 2024 | Below cost | | A year ago£38.50Year on yearno changeSince28 May 2024Meant to coverBelow cost | | | | | | | [DBS basic check](https://www.gov.uk/government/news/dbs-reduces-fees-for-checks-and-update-service-from-5-october-2026)Details | £21.50 | £21.50 | no change | 2 December 2024 | Set to recover cost | | A year ago£21.50Year on yearno changeSince2 December 2024Meant to coverSet to recover cost | | | | | | | [DBS standard check](https://www.gov.uk/government/news/dbs-reduces-fees-for-checks-and-update-service-from-5-october-2026)Details | £21.50 | £21.50 | no change | 2 December 2024 | Set to recover cost | | A year ago£21.50Year on yearno changeSince2 December 2024Meant to coverSet to recover cost | | | | | | | [DBS enhanced check (with or without barred lists)](https://www.gov.uk/government/news/dbs-reduces-fees-for-checks-and-update-service-from-5-october-2026)Details | £49.50 | £49.50 | no change | 2 December 2024 | Set to recover cost | | A year ago£49.50Year on yearno changeSince2 December 2024Meant to coverSet to recover cost | | | | | | | [DBS Update Service subscription (per year)](https://www.gov.uk/dbs-update-service)Details | £16 | £16 | no change | 2 December 2024 | Set to recover cost | | A year ago£16Year on yearno changeSince2 December 2024Meant to coverSet to recover cost | | | | | | | [Companies House incorporation - online/digital](https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/companies-house-fees/companies-house-fees)Details | £100 | £50 | +£50 (+100.0%) | 1 February 2026 | Set above cost, by policy | | A year ago£50Year on year+£50 (+100.0%)Since1 February 2026Meant to coverSet above cost, by policy | | | | | | | [Companies House annual confirmation statement - online](https://www.gov.uk/government/news/companies-house-fees-are-changing-from-1-february-2026)Details | £50 | £34 | +£16 (+47.1%) | 1 February 2026 | Set above cost, by policy | | A year ago£34Year on year+£16 (+47.1%)Since1 February 2026Meant to coverSet above cost, by policy | | | | | | Checked 22 September 2026. Source: [General Register Office (Home Office), or the local register office that issues it](https://www.gov.uk/order-copy-birth-death-marriage-certificate). Checked by hand 22 September 2026. ## How have the fees moved? **Certificate, DBS and Companies House fees: fee history** **The numbers behind this chart** | From | DBS basic check | DBS standard check | DBS enhanced check (with or without barred lists) | Companies House incorporation - online/digital | | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | | 2019-10-01Details | £23 | £23 | £40 | — | | DBS standard check£23DBS enhanced check (with or without barred lists)£40Companies House incorporation - online/digital— | | | | | | 2022-04-06Details | £18 | £18 | £38 | — | | DBS standard check£18DBS enhanced check (with or without barred lists)£38Companies House incorporation - online/digital— | | | | | | 2024-05-01Details | £18 | £18 | £38 | £50 | | DBS standard check£18DBS enhanced check (with or without barred lists)£38Companies House incorporation - online/digital£50 | | | | | | 2024-12-02Details | £21.5 | £21.5 | £49.5 | £50 | | DBS standard check£21.5DBS enhanced check (with or without barred lists)£49.5Companies House incorporation - online/digital£50 | | | | | | 2026-02-01Details | £21.5 | £21.5 | £49.5 | £100 | | DBS standard check£21.5DBS enhanced check (with or without barred lists)£49.5Companies House incorporation - online/digital£100 | | | | | | 2026-09-29Details | £21.5 | £21.5 | £49.5 | £100 | | DBS standard check£21.5DBS enhanced check (with or without barred lists)£49.5Companies House incorporation - online/digital£100 | | | | | Figure as of 22 September 2026. Source: [Disclosure and Barring Service](https://www.gov.uk/government/news/dbs-reduces-fees-for-checks-and-update-service-from-5-october-2026), [Disclosure and Barring Service](https://www.gov.uk/government/news/dbs-reduces-fees-for-checks-and-update-service-from-5-october-2026), [Disclosure and Barring Service](https://www.gov.uk/government/news/dbs-reduces-fees-for-checks-and-update-service-from-5-october-2026), [Companies House (also funds Insolvency Service ECCTA enforcement)](https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/companies-house-fees/companies-house-fees). | Fee | Then | Now | Fee change | Prices change | Then, in today’s prices | | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | | DBS basic check (since 2019)Details | £23 | £21.50 | -6.5% | +32.4% | £30.45 | | Now£21.50Fee change-6.5%Prices change+32.4%Then, in today’s prices£30.45 | | | | | | | DBS standard check (since 2019)Details | £23 | £21.50 | -6.5% | +32.4% | £30.45 | | Now£21.50Fee change-6.5%Prices change+32.4%Then, in today’s prices£30.45 | | | | | | | DBS enhanced check (with or without barred lists) (since 2019)Details | £40 | £49.50 | +23.8% | +32.4% | £52.96 | | Now£49.50Fee change+23.8%Prices change+32.4%Then, in today’s prices£52.96 | | | | | | | Companies House incorporation - online/digital (since 2024)Details | £50 | £100 | +100% | +8.1% | £54.03 | | Now£100Fee change+100%Prices change+8.1%Then, in today’s prices£54.03 | | | | | | | Companies House annual confirmation statement - online (since 2024)Details | £34 | £50 | +47.1% | +8.1% | £36.74 | | Now£50Fee change+47.1%Prices change+8.1%Then, in today’s prices£36.74 | | | | | | Prices from CPIH, as of 1 August 2026. Source: [Office for National Statistics](https://www.ons.gov.uk/economics/inflationandpriceindices). ## What are the fees meant to cover? The Disclosure and Barring Service is funded from fees on a cost-recovery basis. It recovered 113% of its costs in 2025-26, which is why its fees are being cut to £20 for basic and standard checks and £41 for enhanced checks from 5 October 2026. Certificate fees recovered only 37% of the cost of certificate services in 2025-26, according to the Home Office. Companies House fees now also pay for identity verification and enforcement under the Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act 2023, including work by the Insolvency Service. **How much of the cost do the fees recover?** - 1. DBS 113% - 2. Companies House 103% - 3. General Register Office (certificates) 37% Fees exactly cover cost: 100% Latest year published, 2025–26. Above 100% is a surplus; below it, the gap is met from general taxation. The figures are in the table further down. **Show as a table** | Name | Fee income as a share of cost | | --- | --- | | 1. DBS | 113% | | 2. Companies House | 103% | | 3. General Register Office (certificates) | 37% | - **Birth, marriage or death certificate - standard (GRO, England & Wales):** EM to SI 2024/598: fees raised 'by 10% to a level of full cost recovery' for birth/death services; 'Fees for these services have not been increased since 2010 and are significantly under recovered.' Home Office ARA 2025-26 reports Certificate Services income £29.4m vs full cost £78.6m (37% recovery). - **Birth, marriage or death certificate - priority service (GRO):** As for the standard certificate. - **DBS basic check:** DBS (a Home Office non-departmental public body) 'is fully funded by the fees it charges for the above products and services. DBS reviews its fees on an annual basis, and the fee for each product or service is based on its cost to deliver as required by Managing Public Money (MPM).' Home Office ARA 2025-26: DBS income £271.5m vs full cost £240.0m, surplus £31.6m (113% recovery against a 100% target) - fees are being cut from 5 Oct 2026. +100% Registering a company online rose from £50 to £100 on 1 February 2026, to pay for identity checks and enforcement as well as the filing itself. - **Companies House incorporation - online/digital:** EM to SI 2025/1137: fees raised 'to recover the cost of increased activities of Companies House and the Insolvency Service to implement the Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act 2023'. Companies House ARA 2025-26: 'An uplift to the incorporation fee and the annual fee was determined by Ministers to provide additional funding for activities under section 1063 (3A) of the Companies Act 2006' - so the fees fund enforcement and economic-crime work, not just processing the filing. 2025-26 fee-bearing activities: about £7m surplus. The ARA's fees table nonetheless shows incorporations under-recovering in 2025-26 (income £47.8m vs cost £82.3m) because enforcement costs are allocated to them | Body | Year | Fee income | Cost | Surplus or deficit | Share of cost recovered | | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | | [DBS](https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/6a5651002cbe5d1c179a64ba/36.54_HO_ARA_25-26_ELAY_2.pdf)Details | 2025–26 | £272m | £240m | £31.6m | 113% | | Year2025–26Cost£240mSurplus or deficit£31.6mShare of cost recovered113% | | | | | | | [General Register Office (certificates)](https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/6a5651002cbe5d1c179a64ba/36.54_HO_ARA_25-26_ELAY_2.pdf)Details | 2025–26 | £29.4m | £78.6m | £-49.2m | 37% | | Year2025–26Cost£78.6mSurplus or deficit£-49.2mShare of cost recovered37% | | | | | | | [Companies House](https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/companies-house-annual-report-and-accounts-2025-to-2026/companies-house-annual-report-and-accounts-2025-to-2026)Details | 2025–26 | £239m | £232m | £7.1m | 103% | | Year2025–26Cost£232mSurplus or deficit£7.1mShare of cost recovered103% | | | | | | - [Registration of Births, Deaths, Marriages and Civil Partnerships (Fees) Regulations 2016, as amended by SI 2024/598](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2024/598/made) - [Registration ... (Fees) Regulations 2016, as amended by SI 2024/598](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2024/598/made) - [Police Act 1997 (Criminal Records) Regulations 2002, regs 3-4 (as amended; the SI for the Dec 2024 change not checked; the Oct 2026 reduction SI was laid 9 Sep 2026)](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2022/303/made) - Police Act 1997 (Criminal Records) Regulations 2002 (as amended) - [Registrar of Companies (Fees) (Companies, Overseas Companies and Limited Liability Partnerships) Regulations 2012, as amended by SI 2024/155 (1 May 2024) and SI 2025/1137 (1 Feb 2026)](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2025/1137/made) ## Who receives the money? **Certificates, DBS checks and Companies House fees** Paid to a named body the General Register Office or local register office, the Disclosure and Barring Service, and Companies House, each to recover its costs. Companies House fees now also fund economic crime work. Fee regulations for each body Legal position as of 22 September 2026. Source: [legislation.gov.uk](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/). Checked by hand 22 September 2026. ## Are the fees fair? ### The case for the current fees - DBS fees are coming down as the service moves into surplus. - Company registration in the UK is still cheap by international standards. - Checks on company directors protect the public from fraud. ### The case against - Companies House fees have risen eightfold since 2024. - Certificates for births and deaths are needed at stressful moments and cannot be avoided. - Volunteers needing DBS checks pay unless their organisation covers it. ## Common questions How much is a birth certificate? £12.50 from the General Register Office, or £38.50 for the priority service.How much is a DBS check? £21.50 for a basic check until 4 October 2026, falling to £20 on 5 October. ## Sources for this page | Source | Publisher | Figures as of | Updated | Licence | | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | | [GOV.UK Order a copy of a birth, death or marriage certificate](https://www.gov.uk/order-copy-birth-death-marriage-certificate) | General Register Office (Home Office), or the local register office that issues it | 22 September 2026 | annual | [Open Government Licence v3.0](https://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence/version/3/) | | [GOV.UK news (DBS) 9 Sep 2026; GOV.UK news 'DBS fees are changing in December' (8 Nov 2024); SI 2022/303](https://www.gov.uk/government/news/dbs-reduces-fees-for-checks-and-update-service-from-5-october-2026) | Disclosure and Barring Service | 22 September 2026 | annual | [Open Government Licence v3.0](https://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence/version/3/) | | [GOV.UK Companies House fees (updated 2 July 2026); EM to SI 2025/1137](https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/companies-house-fees/companies-house-fees) | Companies House (also funds Insolvency Service ECCTA enforcement) | 22 September 2026 | annual | [Open Government Licence v3.0](https://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence/version/3/) | | [GOV.UK](https://www.gov.uk/order-copy-birth-death-marriage-certificate) | General Register Office (Home Office) | 22 September 2026 | annual | [Open Government Licence v3.0](https://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence/version/3/) | | [Consumer Prices Index including owner occupiers’ housing costs (CPIH)](https://www.ons.gov.uk/economics/inflationandpriceindices) | Office for National Statistics | 1 August 2026 | monthly | [Open Government Licence v3.0](https://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence/version/3/) | | [legislation.gov.uk and official guidance, provision by provision](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/) | legislation.gov.uk | 22 September 2026 | annual | [Open Government Licence v3.0 (legislation.gov.uk)](https://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence/version/3/) | Each source's figures are used under the licence shown. Our own words, analysis, charts and derived calculations are ours, under [CC BY 4.0](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/). ## Related pages - [Next in this section: Visa fees and the Immigration Health Surcharge](https://whereyourmoneygoes.co.uk/visa-fees-and-immigration-health-surcharge/) - [What are stealth taxes, and how much do they raise?](https://whereyourmoneygoes.co.uk/stealth-taxes/) - [How much tax will I pay in my lifetime?](https://whereyourmoneygoes.co.uk/taxes-over-a-lifetime/) - [Where does the money from fines actually go?](https://whereyourmoneygoes.co.uk/fines-and-penalties/) ## More from this publisher - [UK tax calculators](https://howlongisit.co.uk) Published by [Tekstak Ltd](https://tek-stak.co.uk). Our words, analysis, charts and derived calculations: CC BY 4.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), credit [Tekstak Ltd](https://tek-stak.co.uk). The figures belong to the publishers listed under Sources and are used under their licences. Figures last updated 29 September 2026.