What is a criminal record check?
Verification that a candidate has no convictions relevant to the role they are applying for. In the Netherlands this is called a VOG.
In short: A criminal record check confirms whether a candidate has convictions that are relevant to the role they want to do. In the Netherlands this is the VOG (Verklaring Omtrent het Gedrag), issued by the Ministry of Justice via Justis.
How it works in the Netherlands
The Dutch VOG is a certificate stating that the candidate has no criminal record that would prevent them from doing the role they are applying for. Important: it is not a printout of someone’s full criminal history. It is a yes-or-no answer to a role-specific question.
The process:
- You (the organisation) request a VOG for the candidate, specifying the role
- The candidate signs into the Justis portal with their DigiD
- Justis evaluates whether any convictions in the past 4 years (longer for some roles) are relevant to the role
- Justis issues a VOG (or, rarely, refuses one)
If issued, the VOG is a clean document. If refused, the candidate is told why and can appeal.
How it works internationally
Outside the Netherlands the structure varies:
- EU countries: each has its own criminal record extract. We work with accredited local agents to obtain them.
- United States: federal + state + sometimes county lookups, since there is no single national criminal database
- United Kingdom: DBS check (Basic, Standard, or Enhanced level depending on the role)
- Germany: Führungszeugnis, which the candidate obtains and uploads to us
- Many other countries: police clearance certificates issued by local police authorities
For each country we cover, we explain the local equivalent and what it shows. See what an international background check shows for the full breakdown.
What it does not show
- Old convictions that have aged out of the legal lookback period (4 years for most VOG categories)
- Sealed or expunged convictions, where the law prohibits disclosure
- Arrests without conviction, in most jurisdictions
- Foreign convictions, unless an international check is also run
The check is forward-looking and role-specific. A 5-year-old fraud conviction that is no longer disclosable does not appear, but it also has no bearing on a current role.
When it is mandatory
Some sectors require a VOG by law:
- Childcare and education (always)
- Healthcare (many roles)
- Government and judicial roles
- Aviation airside access
- Some financial services roles
- Childminding, scouts, sports coaching (any role with vulnerable people)
If you are not sure whether the role you are hiring for requires a VOG, contact us and we will check.
What the candidate sees
A VOG check feels lightweight from the candidate’s side. They sign in with DigiD, confirm the role, and the result comes back to you. Most candidates never had a conviction and never see a refusal.
If a VOG is refused, the candidate can appeal Justis directly. We do not have visibility into refused VOGs beyond knowing one was refused.
Related articles
What checks can I run on a candidate?
We offer 15+ check types. The right mix depends on the role, the sector, and what is legally proportionate. Here is the full menu.
What is an international background check?
A background check that combines verifications across multiple countries. Useful when candidates have lived, studied, or worked abroad.
What is pre-employment screening?
A background check run before someone joins your organisation. It verifies the facts on their CV before any offer is finalised.
