Netherlands Criminal/Civil Records Search
Certificates of Good Conduct are available in the Netherlands and are issued by the Ministry of Justice. It is for the Minister of Justice to decide whether or not a Certificate of Good Conduct is issued. COVOG will issue the certificate on behalf of the Minister if records confirm that the applicant has no criminal record which would be relevant for the purpose for which the VOG has been requested. Applications for such certificates are accepted from overseas. There is a charge of €30 euro 05 cents for making an application locally or overseas.
Application procedure
If applying from within the Netherlands:
The individual should go to the mayor’s office in the municipality in which they reside and ask for a certificate of good conduct. The individual will be required to give his or her name, date of birth, address and must also produce some form of identification. A passport or European identity card are acceptable (driving licences are not accepted). The individual will also be asked the purpose of the request. It is important to follow the correct procedure. The application form can be downloaded from the covogwebsite together with a publication in English about the certificate of good behaviour.
If applying from the UK:
If an individual resides permanently in the UK (Dutch, UK or other foreign nationals that have previously resided in the Netherlands), then applications should be directed to the Dutch Ministry of Justice at the following address:
Ministerie van Justitie
Dienst Justis
Afdeling COVOG
Postbus 16115
2500 BC Den Haag
Overseas applications must be made in writing and signed by the individual requesting the certificate. The written application must specify the job details and if possible, the employer’s thoughts on the potential risks associated with the post. In order for the Dutch authorities to adequately establish identity, they require a good quality photocopy of a passport or Euro
ID card (not driving licence). Again it is important to follow the correct procedure. An application form can be downloaded from the covogwebsite together with a publication in English about the certificate of good behaviour.
Cost
Applications made from within the Netherlands:
There is a charge of €30 euro 05 cents when making an application in person to the local Burgomaster (mayor).
Applications made from the UK:
Applications sent from the UK should contain a copy of the money transfer of €30 euro and 05 cents * (approximately £19.60). Eurocheques are not acceptable. A credit-card facility will become available in the future. (* Until the 31 December 2005, the charge will be €29 euro 50 cents)
Content of certificates
Certificates of good conduct, which are issued in the Dutch language (but will have an English translation at the end of the certificate), do not contain any conviction information. Rather, under current arrangements, if you are deemed to be of good character after having your records inspected, then the certificate simply says that no objections were found for issuing the Certificate of Good Conduct.
All the Judicial information held on the individual over the last 20 years will be available to COVOG and any information in respect of sexual abuse will be kept for even longer. COVOG will issue a Certificate of Good Conduct if their records show that the applicant has no criminal record which relates to the purpose for which the VOG has been requested. The issue of the VOG will also depend on the degree of exposure to the vulnerable that the employment involves.
The certificates issued contain a number of security features, for example, a unique reference number and photocopy protection.
Turnaround time
It takes approximately 2 to 4 weeks to produce a certificate of good conduct. Additional time taken to send and receive applications from overseas should be taken into account.
For current turnaround times and fees please contact our office.