Children's criminal record certificate: guide and digital collection

What is a children's criminal record certificate?

A children's criminal record certificate is a limited type of criminal record certificate required when someone will have care for, or perform tasks related to, children and young people under 18 or people with developmental disabilities.

Unlike a standard criminal record certificate, the children's criminal record certificate is limited to specific types of offences - crimes that are directly relevant to work with vulnerable groups.

Who needs a children's criminal record certificate?

The legal basis is in section 39 of the Police Register Act. In practice, the requirement applies to:

• Coaches, instructors and volunteers in sports clubs
• Staff in nurseries, schools and after-school care
• Staff in youth clubs and children's and youth camps
• Staff in child welfare, crisis centres, outreach work
• Nurses and doctors in health and dental services for children
• Staff in asylum reception centres
• Applicants for assisted reproduction

What they all have in common is that they have responsibility for or a position of trust with minors or people with disabilities. The Norwegian police has published a comprehensive list of purposes covering all qualifying positions.

Which offences are checked?

A children's criminal record certificate only shows remarks for a limited selection of offences: sexual offences, violence, murder, aggravated robbery and drugs. Less serious matters such as traffic offences are not included on the certificate.

This limitation ensures that employers get access to the information necessary to assess suitability - without gaining insight into irrelevant personal data.

How long is the certificate valid?

For new appointments, the certificate must be dated within the last 3 months. For ongoing roles, the certificate remains valid as long as the person doesn't change position or get different areas of responsibility.

How to collect a children's criminal record certificate with Right Person

1. The organisation invites the candidate. Enter name and email - the candidate receives a digital invitation immediately.
2. Purpose letter generated automatically. Right Person creates a correctly completed purpose letter that the candidate uses when applying for a criminal record certificate from the police.
3. The candidate applies to the police themselves. The candidate applies for a criminal record certificate from the police using the completed purpose letter.
4. Full overview in the dashboard. You see who has presented a valid certificate, who's missing one, and when it's time for renewal.