Request a Certificate of Conduct (VOG)
Starting a new job? Your employer might ask for a Certificate of Conduct, or a ‘Verklaring Omtrent het Gedrag’ (VOG). This is also called a Certificate of Good Behaviour.
Conditions
You are registered in The Hague's Personal Records Database (BRP).
Needed for the application
- A valid form of identification.
- A completed application form.
- If you have authorisation: a valid form of identification for both the applicant and the authorised person and a signed authorisation form in which you declare whom you have authorised to submit the application on your behalf.
Fees
- Submit a digital application to Justis. You can read how much this costs on the Justis website.
- A written application through the municipality costs € 44.10 in 2023. You pay these fees when you submit your application at the counter.
You can pay in cash or use a bank card at City Hall Spui. You can only use a bank card at the Leyweg City Office. Unfortunately it is not possible to pay with a credit card.
How long does it take?
The Ministry of Justice and Security will send the certificate to your home address. This can take between 2 and 4 weeks.
Apply
You may apply for a Certificate of Conduct online or in writing. You apply online together with your employer. You can also apply for a Certificate of Conduct in writing. This is possible only in the municipality in which you are registered. Are you not registered at any municipality in the Netherlands? Then you will need to apply for the certificate directly at the Ministry of Justice and Security.
Some situations urgently require a Certificate of Conduct. In special cases you can make use of an expedited procedure. You can read more about this on the website of the Ministry of Justice and Security.
The certificate is issued by the Ministry of Justice and Security.
Apply online
You can apply for a Certificate of Conduct online. This is faster and cheaper than submitting a paper application through the municipality. For an online application the employer and the employee need to submit an application together. More information about applying for a Certificate of Conduct online can be found on the website of the Ministry of Justice and Security.
Apply in writing via the municipality
You will usually get an application form for a Certificate of Conduct from your employer. You can also download the forms from the website of the Ministry of Justice and Security.
- You submit the completed form at the counter at City Hall Spui or the Leyweg City Office. You can also authorise someone to do this for you (see 'Needed for the application').
- Make an appointment to do this:
- The municipality will verify the information provided in the data in the Personal Records Database (BRP) and will forward the application to the Ministry of Justice and Security.
- The Ministry of Justice and Security will send the certificate to your home address within 2 to 4 weeks.
Do you have any questions about your paper application? Please contact the Integrity and Screening Agency (Dienst Justis) at the Ministry of Justice and Security at telephone number (088) 998 22 00. The municipality will keep your written application for 3 months.
A Certificate of Conduct is compulsory for some professions, such as for teachers, staff in day care and after school care facilities or host parents, childminder agencies and housemates of host parents. If you will be working with confidential data, your employer might also request a Certificate of Conduct.
Requesting a VOG as a company?
For more information on this read Certificate of Conduct for legal entities.