How long do criminal convictions stay on record: ask the expert
If you have a criminal record, how far back can an employer get a CRB check?
[Information still correct and relevant as of November 2017]
I checked with the section in the local police that’s responsible for doing CRB checks. The answer is that the CRB check will list ALL criminal offences an individual has ever committed.
In theory, CRB checks are only required for posts where there’s contact with vulnerable individuals (eg young children) or where a less than honest employee could do real harm (eg banking jobs).
If the job doesn’t require a CRB check, then someone with a criminal record needn’t declare it if the criminal conviction is “spent”.
The length of time before a conviction becomes “spent” varies according to the age the person was when they committed the offence and the seriousness of the offence. The local probation service is probably the best source of advice to individuals on whether their criminal conviction is “spent” or unspent.
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Comments [53]
Emma hutchinson says:
How long does things show on crb check I last got arrested in April 2014 for a assolt I want to work in a youth club, maybe tell them my story about my youth and maybe keep the youth out of trouble, I want to do something useful with my life
Mandy Garner says:
Hi Emma,
We are not specialists in this area. You could try Unlock who should be able to advise – https://unlock.org.uk
Mohammed ovez says:
I had a conviction for class b controlled drug. I had £20 pounds worth , how long will it show up on my dbs.
Mandy Garner says:
We are not specialists in this area. Please contact Unlock.
Hana says:
Hi,
I was convicted of Racially or religiously aggravated harassment 2 years ago and I had to pay for a fine, I want to know how long does Racially religiously aggravated harassment stay on your DBS?
Mandy Garner says:
We are not experts in this area. You should try https://hub.unlock.org.uk/knowledgebase/spentposter/
Micky says:
My husband went to prison at 23 caught selling cannabis to some friends prisioned for a year 6 months was out. From then turned his life around now 50 wants to go to disneyworld as a family what can we do. His esta has been approved don’t want to go to us he is thrown out.
Mandy Garner says:
We do not specialise in this area. You should contact http://www.unlock.org.uk.
Lacey Blake says:
Hi, I plead guilty to fraud In August 2018… So then I gave up my job before they could officially fire me. Just so I didn’t have that going against me aswell. I’m looking to start a career In design, where I would be responsible for budgets etc. I was just wondering, will this ever be off my record after a certain amount of time? Or will this always get In the way of me achieving my dream job? Any advice would suffice, thank you In advance.
Mandy Garner says:
Please see the previous advice. We are not experts in this area. You need to click the link in the response above.
BENJAMIN RAE says:
HI,
I WAS CHARGED WITH ASSAULT 7 YEARS AGO AND VANDALISM 5 YEARS AGO, LOOKING TO GET A VISA FOR GOING TO AMERICA. WILL THESE BE OFF MY RECORD OR STILL ON?
Mandy Garner says:
Hi, We are not specialists in this area. You can try – http://hub.unlock.org.uk/knowledgebase/detailedguideroa/
Sue says:
I was done for Harrassnent on a ex partner with no violence I got a fine I have worked in care for 4 years with no problem I applied to the hospital as an hca told them about my conviction and they have decided not to go ahead with my application after my dbs came back can I appeal this please
Mandy Garner says:
Hi, We are not specialists in this area. You can try – http://hub.unlock.org.uk/knowledgebase/detailedguideroa/
Evando says:
In 2004 i was arrest for 2 month for forgery i apply for a job now and they found a ofence in my record about a person similar is my name they want my fingerprint to check thia can be frim the ofence of 2004
Mandy Garner says:
We are not specialists in this area. You can try – http://hub.unlock.org.uk/knowledgebase/detailedguideroa/
Emily says:
Hi my partner wounded someone 11years ago and he is wondering if that will affect him now he’s changed his life around to with his daughter as she is in foster care at min
Mandy Garner says:
Hi,
You need to consult specialist advice eg http://hub.unlock.org.uk/knowledgebase/spent-now-brief-guide-changes-roa/
Jackie says:
Hi I’m 1982 I was arrested for a minor crime of shop lifting i was 23 at the time, was fined £100. Never committed any other crimes since, will I still have a criminal record after 36 yrs, im applying for a job in a card home,
Mandy Garner says:
Hi,
You can check here – http://hub.unlock.org.uk/knowledgebase/spent-now-brief-guide-changes-roa/
walter says:
hi i am 66 years old i pleaded guliy to theft at my work place, i had fine 800pounds and 60 hours community service 2013 how long i have to wait crimanal record please
Mandy Garner says:
The advice given is to contact your local probation service.
Jen says:
I got arrested for assault in 2014 and it flagged up on a crb check. How long will.it stay on for ???
Mandy Garner says:
Hi,
You should go here – http://www.disclosurecalculator.org.uk – to check.
Janu says:
My husband is UK Citizenship, he is bail for money laundering case at this moment, court hearing February 2018, he is possible to sponsor me? ( spouse visa) I am his wife Living in New Zealand . Please reply me.
Mandy Garner says:
Hi,
I’m afraid our site is for employment issues rather than general legal issues. You would need to look for immigration specialists.
mrs julie wood says:
hi i have applyed for a job working with children at my children school as everyone knows me there etc & ive had my dbs form bck & has a caustion on it for cbh on an adult in march 2013 can this stop me working there ? also how long does this stay on my dbs plz?
Mandy Garner says:
Hi,
I’m afraid that for work with children you require a DBS check and any conviction for serious violent offences will stay on your record for this type of job – see https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/dbs-filtering-guidance/dbs-filtering-guide
Mandy Garner says:
Hi,
I’m afraid our experts are career advisers and employment lawyers. We can’t answer general legal issues.
Lisa says:
Hi could you help in 2009 I was done for fraud got 12 months prison sentence never done anything else was bad time then will it come up on my crb
Mandy Garner says:
You can find out if the conviction is spent here – http://hub.unlock.org.uk/knowledgebase/spent-now-brief-guide-changes-roa/
Ella says:
I was done for fraud in 2008 I was 19… I got a fine and community service would this still show on my CRB??
Mandy Garner says:
Hi,
CRB would show all convictions, as stated in this article, but it might not be an issue depending on the job you are going for – see https://www.gov.uk/disclosure-barring-service-check/overview. You can find out if the conviction is spent here – http://hub.unlock.org.uk/knowledgebase/spent-now-brief-guide-changes-roa/
Joanne Lyne says:
Hi am am nearly 36, 20 years ago I was done for a theft and also was in a young offenders for an assault for 4 weeks have not been in trouble since, I have recently got a job as a care worker but they haven’t done a CRB check on me yet will it all cone up thanks
Mandy Garner says:
Hi,
More information on when convictions become spent can be found here http://hub.unlock.org.uk/knowledgebase/spent-now-brief-guide-changes-roa/
Lisa says:
Hi I have convictions from 1983 and 1991 for shopliffting I was fund and given 2 year suspended I have done nothing since then. It has just dawned on me that I was a minor in 1983. I have received my dbs and the convictions show up. Is there any way I can get them removed
Mandy Garner says:
Hi Lisa,
Contact Unlock Helpline on 01634 247350 Email: [email protected]
Terry says:
Hi I have a money laundering conviction in 2015 was wondering if this would hinder a application for a mortgage and how long it would stay on my record before it goes away. Could you help answer my question please
Mandy Garner says:
Hi,
I’m afraid we are not experts in mortgage law. You’d have to go to the Citizens Advice Bureau for advice.
Best wishes.
Jason says:
Hi, im 16 and i pleaded guilty in court to “theft of a bicycle trailer” i was given a 4 month YOT order unspent. I have a job currently full time also college part time, this incident took place a while back when i was 15 would this affect my future and how long will this record stay on for?
Mandy Garner says:
More information on convictions and when they become spent can be found here – http://hub.unlock.org.uk/knowledgebase/spent-now-brief-guide-changes-roa/
Susan parsons says:
Hi over 30 years ago I was convicted of assault. I’ve applied to work with children . Will this show up? It was such a long time ago, iam not the same person as i was when I was younger.is there anyway I can get this deleted off my crb as it was such a long while ago
Mandy Garner says:
Hi Susan,
The following gives advice – http://hub.unlock.org.uk/knowledgebase/spent-now-brief-guide-changes-roa/
duncan Owen-elmer says:
Applied for volunteers job st hospital.Because of convictions for defrauding dhs 27 years ago, will not take me on. Can please do anything about this?
Mandy Garner says:
You can find information on your rights here – https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/scotland/work/criminal-convictions-and-record-checks-s/working-and-volunteering-being-checked-for-convictions-criminal-records-s/
Shafia Rashid says:
Yes plse can you let me know in 2004 i was convicted of dishonesty regarding benefit i was find 12000 still it shows on my record can you help me plse i have nothing since then
Mandy Garner says:
Contact Unlock Helpline on 01634 247350 Email: [email protected] for advice on spent convictions.
Water says:
Hello,
Had a conviction 1 conviction but two category: handling and attempt/ obtaining property by deception. That was 25 years ago. Just got my new DBS and it’s still showing. Apply for a Social Work degree indicate it on the form and, the university said they will decide whether or not to accept me. At least l was honest about it.
Is there a way l could get the conviction out from my DBS records. Please advice me.
Mandy Garner says:
Hi,
You can find out more here
Bee says:
My daughter had a criminal offence in 2008 for assault occasioning actual bodily harm on 4th February 2008 , had a 3 months referral order and £20 compensation aged 14 years , how long more will this appear on her DBS / CRB .
Does she have to disclose it agin ? , her profession is working with vulnerable adults .
Thanks
jemma says:
If i was convicted of voilence disorderly in 2006 do you know how long it stays on your record for
Anonymous says:
I have worked with vulnerable people for 5 years. 6 months ago I applied for care job, I wrote on my application form that I had occasional assault dated 1988, and I discussed this with in the interview and also gave a copy of a CRB. The company was fine about this and continued with 5 years of references and sent of for another CRB. Recently they told me verbally that because of what was on my CRB they would not employ me. I am thinking of going through their complaints and appeal procedures, however I would like to know how I stand, as they also said they informed me about training and I was down to do this in December, which I received to call, however I can back this theory through an agency. Thank you for your time.
Editor: Could you supply a few more details via our Advice & Support/Q & A page box so we can pass this on to our legal experts. For instance, why did the company send off for another CRB and is the 1988 conviction the only reason you believe they have turned you down?
Shalewa Bello says:
Very good tips.