Applying for a Verklaring Omtrent het Gedrag (VOG) in the Netherlands

Many jobs in the Netherlands require you to have a Verklaring Omtrent het Gedrag – VOG (certificate of conduct). This also includes volunteer work. Examples are if you are going to work with confidential information or with children. A VOG shows that your behaviour is satisfactory for a new job. You may also need a VOG to apply for a visa or if you want to emigrate to another country.

There are several ways to apply for a VOG:

Are you registered with your municipality in the Personal Records Database (Basisregistratie Personen – BRP)? Then you or your employer can submit an application form VOG to the municipality.
Are you not registered with your municipality in the BRP? For example, if you are working in the Netherlands temporarily or living outside the Netherlands? Then send your application with all accompanying appendices to Justis by post. You can also download the application form from the justis.nl website.

Do you own a company or organisation that requires a VOG? Then you can apply for a VOG voor rechtspersonen – VOG RP (certificate of conduct for legal entities).

This is how it works for you

Your (future) place of residence falls under:

Municipality of Helmond

Here is some information from your municipality.

Applying for a Verklaring Omtrent het Gedrag (VOG) in the Netherlands

Employers and other organisations can ask for a Certificate of Good Conduct (VOG). It is proof of good behaviour. If you have not committed any criminal offences, you will always get a VOG.

Have you done something criminal? Then Dienst Justis (Ministry of Justice and Security) will check whether this is relevant to the task or position for which you are applying for the VOG. You can read more about obtaining a VOG on the Justis website.

Note. You can only apply for the Certificate of Good Conduct (VOG) if you are registered with a Dutch municipality.

Applying for a VOG via Justis

You can apply for a VOG online together with the person requesting it, for example your employer. It is then no longer necessary for the employee to submit the VOG application to the municipality. A digital CGC application is faster and cheaper.

Applying for a VOG digitally from Justis is only possible if the organisation, for which you need a VOG, has prepared the application digitally for you. Your employer starts the application:

Your employer applies online for the VOG and completes the employer part.*
You receive an e-mail with a link and complete the questionnaire online (using DigiD).
Dienst Justis checks your details.
If everything is approved, you will receive notification from Dienst Justis within 4 weeks.

*As an employer, do you not yet have eRecognition?

Apply for eRecognition via the eRecognition website. To prepare a digital VOG application, select reliability level 1 (EH-1). Click here to go to the eHerkenning website.

Applying for a VOG via the municipality

Is the organisation unable to prepare the application digitally? If so, you will receive the correct application form from the organisation. Note: A digital VOG application via Justis is faster and cheaper.

Complete the application form.
Click here to go to the municipality's digital form. Note: You can only apply for a VOG at your municipality of residence.
Log in with your DigiD.
Upload the completed application form.
Pay for the VOG at the time of application.
The municipality will forward your application to Justis.
The VOG will be sent to your home address.

Are you unable to upload your application form digitally? If so, please contact our Customer Contact Centre by calling 14 0492 (do not put an area code in front of the number). They will be happy to help you.

Forms (in Dutch)

Application form VOG childcare
Application form VOG natural persons (NP) in Dutch and English
Application form VOG companies

Applying for a Certificate of Good Conduct (VOG) costs:

Online via Dienst Justis: €33.85
In writing at the municipality: € 41.35
For companies: € 207.00

Volunteers working with children or people with a mental disability get the VOG free of charge if the application is made via Justis.
Volunteers in sports also receive the VOG free of charge if the association is affiliated to NOC*NSF.

(Rates 2023)

Within 4 to 8 weeks, you will be told whether you will receive a Certificate of Good Conduct (VOG). If you have not committed any offences, you will usually receive the VOG within a week and a half.

If you disagree with Justis' decision, you can object to the decision within 6 weeks.