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

Teachers, taxi drivers and people who work in childcare must have a VOG. You may also need a VOG because: 

• a future employer asks for this -
• you want to volunteer and the organization asks for it 
• you are self-employed and a client asks for this 
• you are applying for a visa 
• you want to join a shooting club 
• you move abroad

Justis is the government organization that handles all applications for a VOG.

• If you have not committed any criminal offences, you will receive the VOG. 
• If you have committed criminal offences, further investigation is required. Justis examines whether the criminal offenses are important for the application. If these are not important, you will still receive the VOG. You can see for yourself whether you qualify for a VOG. Justis developed the VOG check for this. This check calculates whether you have a high, medium or low chance of a VOG. This check is anonymous. Your data will not be saved.

For residents

Do you need the VOG yourself because your (new) employer asks for it? See how to apply for it in three steps.

• completed and signed application form 
• all the documents you need to attach according to the application form 
• valid ID

Authorize someone else

If you apply to the municipality for the VOG for someone else, that person will bring the following: 

• completed application form with all requested documents 
• authorization letter 
• copy of your ID 
• his or her own identity card

You can apply for a VOG in various ways. 

Apply for a VOG through the municipality

• You will receive a form from your employer or other organization. 
• You submit this fully completed form to the municipality where you are registered.

Apply for VOG online
You can only apply for a VOG online if the application has been prepared online by your employer or other organization. 

• You will receive an e-mail that you need a VOG. 
• You can log in with your DigiD via a link in this e-mail. 
• You check the data. 
• You confirm that the data is correct.

Request a VOG directly from Justis
You must apply for the VOG directly from Justis if you: 

• does not appear in the Personal Records Database (BRP) or 
• if you do not have a permanent place of residence or residence.

Authorize someone else
Someone else may also apply for the VOG for you. We call this empowerment. 

• Indicate in a letter to whom you authorize and sign the letter. 
• With this letter, the authorized person goes to the municipality. 
• This person must have your ID (or a copy of it) with them. 
• The person must also be able to identify himself.

VOG application: € 41.35

Voluntary organizations that work with children or people with intellectual disabilities can qualify for a free VOG.

Within 8 weeks of receipt of your application, Justis will make a decision. Justis decides on behalf of the State Secretary for Security and Justice whether you will receive a VOG. In practice, you will usually receive a VOG within one and a half weeks. If research by Justis shows that you have been in contact with the Ministry of Justice, Justis will check whether this is relevant to the purpose for which the statement was requested. In that case it often takes more than 2 weeks before you receive a message. 

• VOG: you will be notified within 4 weeks of receiving your application. 
• VOG RP: you will be notified within 8 weeks of receipt of your application.

If Justis is unable to issue a VOG, you will be notified in writing. You can object by letter. In this you explain why you should receive the VOG. After receiving your objection, Justis will make a final decision. If that is a rejection, you can object again. You may submit the decision to the administrative court.