Have you recently applied for a new job, and the employer wants you to file a certificate of conduct along with a dozen more documents in your application? For some, it may be the first time dealing with such a procedure, but those who have been searching for jobs for some time now, know that it is only a part of the standard procedure. So, why do they need this paper?

Well, every employer wants to check if you have been doing something against the law in the past, or if is there a legal case against you going on at the time of your application. This tells a lot about the person, and in most cases is a routine security check, especially for public and government institutions.

The one we are writing about today is issued by the Dutch Minister of Legal Protection. So, in case you’re living in the Netherlands, and want to pursue a career there, expect that you’ll be needing this paper sooner or later. It is supposed to serve as a guarantee of non-conviction of anything that may influence how you perform your job there.

For those thinking this is way too much to be asking for positions other than the public sector, here’s an illustration of how important it is for everyone to be checked prior to their employment. Let’s say you’re about to be hired as a driver in a means of public transport, but you have been convicted multiple times for driving under the influence of alcohol. In this case, the certificate is a guarantee of how safe you’re going to be for all the passengers you’ll be driving. It tells a lot about your eligibility for the position.

Source: owens.com

So, how can you apply for this certificate?

There are a couple of ways you can obtain it, and we have stated them below.

–    Applying via the municipality you’re living in. As you take your journey towards your next employment you’ll find it necessary to be registered in the municipality you live in. In order to obtain a certificate all you need to do is fill out the application or, and send it to the municipality. In a case like this, the application will most likely be provided,  by your future employer, and some parts of it will be also filled and signed by them, in order to prove why you need it in the first place. In case of employment, this certificate is issued with a fee, but in cases like volunteering, it comes free of charge.

–    Using online services. There’s a possibility to apply online as well, in certain cases, and this is usually done by the employer, or at least the process is initiated by them. It is also possible to apply online when you need it for a different purpose, for instance obtaining a work permit. In this case, if you feel it’s too much of a hassle, we suggest you use some of the online services that can help you with the whole process. If you go here, you’ll find all the details.

–    Using Justis. If you have already been registered in the Personal records database then this may the easiest option for you, especially if you have been granted a working permit in this country or somewhere abroad, and you cannot find the time to come and apply personally. The process is rather simple, just fill out the application and sent it to Justis. The same service is available if you need the same certificate for other purposes, like registering your business.

As for the documents you’ll need to file in order to obtain it, these include a complete application form, a valid passport copy, a proof you’ve paid a fee. An additional document is mandatory if you are using services like the one we’ve mentioned earlier, helping you obtain this certificate. We’re talking about the authorization form since your personal and private data are at stake.

Source: khaleejtimes.com

How long will it take you to get the whole thing done?

This is the next most important question everyone is asking. The process should last no more than four weeks, but it can also be completed by two if you’re lucky. It takes this long because this information has to be checked and confirmed by multiple institutions. Your municipality will forward the information to the Ministry of Justice, and when they are done, the certificate will be sent to your home address. Therefore, there is no need to visit the municipality offices multiple times.

How much are the fees?

This depends on the purpose of why you are asking for it. We’ve already mentioned that in the case of volunteering it comes free of charge. In other cases, the fees should not exceed 80 euros.

Are these certificates the same for every purpose?

No. Generally, there are two types of these documents. One is issued for legal businesses, and the other for private persons.

Source: Medium.com

What happens if your record is not “clean”?

Keep in mind that not everyone can obtain it. In other words, those people who have been convicted of crimes cannot obtain it. If you are clear, there’s no need to worry, as you are eligible to be issued with this document.

We’ve already mentioned how it will take you approximately four weeks to get one, but there are some cases when you can speed up the process. These include adoption, or for example, when you need to for a job abroad. In this case, the only way to apply is via your municipality which will forward your request as a priority. The fee stays the same.

All in all, even if the whole thing confuses you, remember that it is just a matter of routine checks. And living in these modern times allows us to utilize all the modern technology like the internet to obtain whichever document we need quickly and without a hassle.