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Certificate of good conduct (VOG) (individuals)

A certificate of good conduct (Verklaring omtrent het gedrag, VOG) is a document by which the Dutch Minister of Security and Justice declares that the applicant did not commit any criminal offences that are relevant to the performance of his or her duties. In some industries, the certificate of good conduct is compulsory in the context of applying for a particular permit or hiring staff. If no statutory obligation requires otherwise, you as the employer are free to decide whether or not to ask someone to produce a certificate of good conduct.

You or your employee can obtain a certificate of good conduct from your or his/her local municipality or online (via eRecognition). If the applicant is not registered in the Municipal Personal Records Database, the application can be submitted to the Central Agency for Certificates of Good Conduct (COVOG) of the Justis Department of the Ministry of Security and Justice.

Online application procedure via Message Box

If you require a certificate of good conduct for a procedure that is subject to the Services Act, you can request this document also online via Message Box.

Read more about VOG regarding:

VOG for childcare workers

The Childcare Provisions Act (Wet kinderopvang) stipulates that staff members at a childcare centre, playgroup or childminding agency and their adult housemates who help look after the children must be in possession of a Certificate of Good Conduct. In most cases, this also applies to agency workers and trainees. Volunteers and office staff working at the head office are not normally required to hold a certificate of good conduct.

You must keep certificates of good conduct in your (personnel) files. During the inspection by the Municipal Health Service, the certificate of good conduct (or a copy of the certificate) must be present in the childcare centre, the out-of-school care facilities or the playgroup.

For further information, please contact the Ministry of Education, Culture and Science. The ministry has a pre-printed request form available.

VOG for taxi operators

You will need a certificate of good conduct in order to apply for a permit to operate a taxi service and a driver's pass.

VOG for coach transport firms

You will need a certificate of good conduct in order to apply for a business permit to operate coach transport services.

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