You applied for a role that needs an Enhanced DBS check, and the first few stages flew by. Then you logged into the tracking service and saw it: “Stage 4, local police checks”. A day passed. Then a week. The status never moved, and no one explained why.

If that is where you are right now, take a breath. Stage 4 is the point where most Enhanced DBS checks sit the longest, and in the vast majority of cases the hold-up has nothing to do with your record. It is simply the most hands-on part of the process.

This guide explains what Stage 4 actually involves, how long it tends to take in 2026, the real reasons a check gets stuck here, and the practical steps you can take to move things along. If you want the wider picture first, our overview of how a DBS check in the UK works sets the scene.

What is a Stage 4 DBS Check?

Stage 4 is a step only for Enhanced DBS investigations, as it entails the search of records maintained by local police departments.

While Basic and Standard checks stop after the Police National Computer (PNC) search at Stage 2, Enhanced checks go further. Local police agencies must physically examine their intelligence systems for any information pertinent to the position you are applying for.

This “relevant information” might include:

• Arrests not followed by conviction
• continuing inquiries
• Police intelligence that hasn’t led to official accusations
• Other issues the cops deem need to be revealed

The police must determine if any of their records are pertinent to the employment you will be entering (child or adult) and whether they should be included on your certificate.

Stage 4 is here for just this: to offer an extra level of protection over and beyond official criminal records.

DBS Stage 4 in the UK: The 5-Stage Process

To understand Stage 4 properly, it helps to see the full journey:

Stages 1-3 typically clear within a couple of days. Stage 4 is where most applications spend most of their time.

How Long Does Stage 4 DBS Take?

This is the million-pound question. The honest answer: it varies significantly depending on where you live.

The Disclosure and Barring Service publishes service standards showing that 96 percent of enhanced DBS applications are completed within 42 days. Many take far less time, some just 24 hours.

However, specific police forces have different processing times. The Metropolitan Police, for example, reported an average processing time of 18.78 days for Enhanced DBS applications in 2024. That’s just one force’s average; others may be faster or slower.

DBS Stage 4 Average Time can range from:

• A few days for straightforward applications in efficient force areas
• Several weeks for more complex cases
• 60+ days for applications affected by backlogs or requiring multiple police checks

If an application reaches 60 days in Stage 4, it is automatically escalated. You can also contact the DBS yourself at this point.

How to Track Your DBS Application at Stage 4

You do not have to keep guessing. The DBS runs a free online tracking service that shows exactly which stage your application has reached. You will need the application reference number, which your employer or the umbrella body that submitted the check can give you, along with your date of birth.

Once you are signed in, the tracker shows one of the five stages in plain text. When it reads Stage 4, your check has cleared the national database searches and is now with one or more local police forces. The tracker will not tell you which force holds it or why it is taking time, but it does confirm the exact date Stage 4 began. Make a note of that date, because it matters if you later need to escalate.

Check the tracker every few days rather than every few hours. It updates in steps, not in real time, so refreshing it constantly will only add to the stress.

Why Is My DBS Stuck at Stage 4?

Several factors can cause your application to linger at Stage 4. Most are nothing to worry about, they simply reflect the thoroughness of the process.

1. Multiple Addresses Across Different Police Force Areas

This is the most common cause of delays. If you’ve lived in different parts of the country within the last five years, your application must be sent to each relevant police force for checking. Each force conducts its own search independently, and your application only progresses once all responses are received.

2. Name Changes or Multiple Names

If you’ve changed your name (through marriage, divorce, or deed poll), police forces must check records under all previous names. This doubles or triples the search work.

3. Police Force Backlogs

Some forces simply have more applications than they can process quickly. As of late 2025 and early 2026, Hampshire, Kent, Sussex, and Thames Valley police forces were responsible for a significant portion of delays. Staffing shortages and high volumes contribute to these backlogs.

4. Information Found That Requires Assessment

If the police do hold information about you, they must assess whether it’s relevant to your role and whether it should be disclosed. This assessment takes time and follows an agreed-upon framework.

5. Errors on the Original Application

Sometimes the delay isn’t with the police at all. If your application contains errors, like missing postcodes, incorrect dates, or gaps in address history, it may be flagged and returned for clarification. Always double-check every detail before submitting.

6. High Application Volumes

Certain times of year see higher application volumes, which can slow processing across the board.

Stage 4 DBS Check Cost

The cost of an Enhanced DBS check is 41 pounds (as of October 2026, reduced from 49.50 pounds). This fee covers the entire checking process, including Stage 4. For a full breakdown across every check level, see our guide on how much a DBS check costs. Some umbrella bodies may add their own administration fee on top.

There is no additional charge specifically for Stage 4. This 41 pound fee is a one-off payment that covers every stage through to the certificate being issued.

For volunteers, enhanced checks are free.

What You Can Do to Help

Although you cannot control police processing times, you can control your own application:

• Provide complete address history with full postcodes for the past five years.
• Add all former names (maiden names, past married names).
• Before sending, go over every element once more.
• Quickly respond if any questions surface.

Should your application go past 60 days, to escalate, you can call DBS at 03000 200 190 or send an email to customerservices@dbs.gov.uk.

Can You Escalate a DBS Check Stuck at Stage 4?

Yes, and there are two separate routes, depending on how long you have waited and how urgent your situation is.

The standard route applies once your application has been in Stage 4 for 60 calendar days. At that point you, your employer, or the body that submitted the check can ask the DBS to raise a formal chase with the police force holding it. You can reach the DBS on 03000 200 190 or by email at customerservices@dbs.gov.uk.

The second route is a hardship escalation. If the delay is putting a job offer at risk or causing genuine financial difficulty, you may be able to request priority handling before the 60 day mark, usually once the check has been in progress for more than 28 days and is sitting with a local police force. Only the applicant can raise a hardship case, not the employer, and the DBS will normally ask for evidence, such as a letter from the employer stating the date the certificate is needed. Gather that proof before you call, so the request can be logged straight away.

What Happens After Stage 4 Is Complete?

Once every police force involved has returned its findings, your application moves to Stage 5. The DBS prints your certificate and posts it to your home address, which usually takes around ten working days to arrive. The certificate goes to you, not to your employer, so you will need to show them the original.

Check the certificate carefully as soon as it lands. If anything looks wrong, you have the right to dispute it. If it is clear and you expect to need DBS checks again, consider joining the DBS Update Service within 30 days of the certificate date. For a small annual fee it lets employers confirm your status online, so you may avoid applying from scratch next time. Our guide on how long a DBS check lasts explains when a fresh check is needed.

Conclusion

Stage 4 is the part of an Enhanced DBS check that tests your patience the most, and that is by design. Having local police forces search their own intelligence adds a layer of protection that national databases alone cannot give, which is exactly why roles working with children and vulnerable adults rely on it.

The reassuring part is that a long wait at Stage 4 rarely says anything about you. Most delays come down to multiple addresses, a name change, or a force working through a backlog. Around 96 percent of Enhanced checks are completed within 42 days, and many clear in a fraction of that.

The single most useful thing you can do is get the application right the first time, with a full address history, every former name, and accurate dates. After that, track your start date and escalate if you pass the thresholds above. The rest is in the hands of the police forces doing the checks, and they are working to keep people safe.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Do all DBS checks go through Stage 4?

No. Stage 4 applies only to Enhanced DBS checks. Basic and Standard checks finish after the Police National Computer search and never touch local police records. If your role does not involve regulated work with children or vulnerable adults, a Basic or Standard check is usually all you need.

How can I check what stage my DBS is at?

Use the free DBS online tracking service with your application reference number and date of birth. It shows which of the five stages your check has reached, and the date it entered that stage.

Why is my DBS taking so long at Stage 4?

Almost always for administrative reasons. The usual causes are living in several police force areas, changing your name, a backlog at the force handling your check, or a common name that needs manual matching. None of these point to a problem with your record.

Can I speed up my Stage 4 check?

You cannot rush the police, but you can make sure the application is error free, with a complete address history and all former names. If you pass 60 days, ask the DBS to escalate. If a job offer is at risk, you may qualify for a hardship escalation sooner.

Can my employer chase my DBS at Stage 4?

Your employer or the umbrella body that submitted the check can ask the DBS to escalate once the standard threshold is reached. A hardship request, though, can only be raised by you, the applicant.

Is Stage 4 the final stage of a DBS check?

No. Stage 5 follows, when the certificate is printed and posted to you. That usually takes around ten working days after Stage 4 clears.

Does a long wait at Stage 4 mean there is something on my record?

No. Most long waits are purely procedural, caused by multiple addresses, name changes, or force backlogs. Plenty of completely clean applications spend weeks at Stage 4.

How much does an Enhanced DBS check cost in 2026?

From 5 October 2026 an Enhanced DBS check costs 41 pounds, down from 49.50 pounds. The fee covers the whole process including Stage 4, and enhanced checks remain free for volunteers.