Certificate of Conduct

For example, a taxi driver who has been convicted several times of drunken driving, or an accountant convicted of fraud are unlikely to be issued with a certificate. Obviously, an accountant who has been convicted of drunken driving may well be granted a certificate.

After applying for a certificate of conduct Justis consults the Criminal Records System (JDS). The Criminal Records System contains data relating to criminal offences and their outcomes, ranging from custodial sentences to payment in lieu of prosecution or the dropping of charges. Justis may also consult police files and ask the Public Prosecution Service and the probation service for information. All such information is studied and evaluated as a whole.

Applying for a certificate of conduct when you’re not registered in the Municipal Personal Record Database (BRP)

If you are not registered in the BRP, you should apply directly to Justis for your certificate. Only when you’re not registered in a Dutch municipality, you can submit your application directly to the COVOG department. In that case, you will have to submit your complete application to: vog.np.rni@justis.nl (size must not exceed 10MB). Use the file: Application form Certficate of Conduct (VOG) non-residents.

How to complete your application:

You can only attach one application per e-mail in a PDF file.

Please send us the following documents:

• A completed application form (all 4 pages in PDF);
• A copy of your valid passport or ID;
• A proof of the payment of the fee, which is €41,35 (exempt from VAT);
• When someone else is submitting your application on behalf of you, you will need to attach a completely filled in and signed authorization form. In addition, the authorized person will need to attach a copy of their valid ID-card or passport.

When the interested party is not able to fill in and sign section 2 of the application form, you will have to provide a document demonstrating your actual need for a certificate of conduct (a letter, an e-mail or content from a specific web page, for example). Subsequently, you can fill in the form sections 2.1, 2.2 and section 2.4A OR section 2.4B yourself. Without the name of the organization, the purpose of the application and the applicable screening aspects OR one screening profile, your application will be put on hold. In that case, we will ask you to provide us with the missing information.

You will need to pay the processing fee directly to Justis before submitting the application.

The address of our bank:

ING Bank N.V.
Foreign Operations
PO Box 1800
1000 BV AMSTERDAM

Our bank account number:

IBAN-code NL31 INGB 0705005453
BIC-code (swift code) INGBNL2A

Made payable to Min. van Justitie en Veiligheid 605/JUSTIS COVOG
Turfmarkt 147
2511 DP DEN HAAG

Payment description:

Applicant’s full name

Please note that when you make an (international) direct deposit, all additional costs charged by your bank, will be for your account. Your application can only be processed when Justis has received the full amount of €41,35. Payments done via money transfer agencies will not be accepted. 

Processing time

A decision will be taken within 4 to 8 weeks of receipt of your application.

Objection and review

If Justis intends to refuse your Certificate of Conduct, you will first receive written intention stating the reasons for refusal. You are allowed to let Justis know your view with regard to the reasons for refusal. If you wish to inspect your criminal record, you should write to the Central Criminal Records Office (Justitiële Informatiedienst, Postbus 337, 7600 AH Almelo), enclosing a copy of your identity document. A fee is payable for this service. You can also see your criminal record at the nearest district court (rechtbank) but you are not allowed to make copies.

If your application for a certificate of conduct is refused, you can object in accordance with the General Administrative Law Act (Algemene wet bestuursrecht).