In the Netherlands, a Certificate of conduct (Verklaring omtrent het gedrag, VOG) indicates that the recipient has not committed any criminal offences. For some jobs, like teaching, childminding, or driving a taxi, a VOG is compulsory. In other cases, employers are free to decide if they want to ask their employee for a VOG, which is also referred to as a Declaration of conduct. There is also a VOG for legal entities.
Who needs a VOG?
A certificate of conduct for individuals (VOG NP) is legally required for some professions, for instance:
- everyone who works in education (primary and secondary education, secondary vocational education, and special-needs education)
- everyone who works in childcare
- taxi drivers
- driving instructors and driving school owners
It is also mandatory for employees and volunteers who work:
- with confidential information (such as doctors or lawyers)
- with vulnerable people (for instance in healthcare)
- with money or valuable goods (such as accountants or mortgage advisors)
- for the government
In all other instances the collective labour agreement (cao) in your company or sector, determines if you ask an employee or volunteer for a VOG.
VOG application procedure
Employees and self-employed professionals (zzp'ers) who are registered in the Municipal Personal Records Database (BRP) can obtain a VOG from their local municipality. Companies can also apply for a VOG online (in Dutch) using eHerkenning level 2 or higher. Companies prepare the application for their employee, who then receives an email and completes the application with their DigiD. Freelancers/self-employed professionals may authorise their client to apply for a VOG on their behalf.
If the applicant is not registered in the Municipal Personal Records Database, they can submit the application form to the Central Agency for Certificates of Good Conduct (COVOG) of the judiciary service Justis (Ministry of Justice and Security).
VOG for childcare workers
Owners, employees, and office personnel working in the childcare sector must have a VOG. Persons 18 years of age or older who share accommodation with a registered childminder, must also apply for a VOG. Trainees, temporary employees, volunteers, and parents working in your establishment must request a new VOG every 2 years. If a trainee or temporary employee changes trainee posts or working locations, the existing VOG will suffice. This does not apply to volunteers; they must request a new one.
There are two screening profiles available for persons active in the childcare sector: Screening profile 84 (caring for minors) or 86 (working in the childcare sector).
Application forms VOG childcare
There are different application forms for VOGs for childcare:
- Application form for VOG for individual owner of childcare centre (in Dutch)
- Application form for VOG for individual childcare workers and those living on the childcare premises (in Dutch)
- Application form for VOG for individuals who are structurally present during direct or indirect care for children (in Dutch)
A copy of the VOG must be kept in your (personnel) files and the member of staff must register in the register for persons active in the childcare sector. These certificates and registration records must be presented during GGD inspections.
Continuous screening
Childcare workers are screened for criminal offences on a continuous basis. The supervisory body will notify you in the event of a criminal offence. Your employee will then have to apply for a new VOG. Failure to obtain this new certificate is grounds for dismissal. Continuous screening also applies to trainees, temporary personnel, volunteers, and parents working in your establishment.
Certificate of conduct – police data (VOG-politiegegevens)
The VOG-politiegegevens (VOG P, in Dutch) is required for very specific sensitive positions that require a high degree of integrity. It concerns for instance positions:
- with the authority to use violence
- with access to sensitive information regarding public order, safety, and maintaining legal order
- with involvement in integrity assessments by public administrations
Checking a VOG
You can only check if a VOG is genuine (in Dutch) if you have the original paper version. You can check the document for the following characteristics:
- the paper has a grid and features the blue government logo
- the paper features a watermark
- in UV light the paper remains dark and the graphic mark on the lower right is luminous
- in UV light, on a VOG NP you can see a luminous rectangle surrounding the blue N-number
- you can see a hologram in the paper
VOG denial
A request for a VOG may be denied if the applicant has received a relevant criminal conviction in a specific timeframe prior to the application. This denial can be based on police data about the applicant registered in the Dutch Judicial Documentation System (JDS). For the VOG P police data that are not registered in the JDS can also be a reason to deny the application. Justis will assess the police data that are available for the applicant. You can contact Justis to express your view or object to the decision.
Online application procedure via Message Box
If you require a VOG for a procedure that is subject to the Services Act, you can also request this document online via Message Box. Message Box is a secure email system that enables you to exchange messages with Dutch government agencies.
