Purpose letter for criminal record certificate
Purpose letter for criminal record certificate: how to get it right
To obtain a criminal record certificate, the application must be accompanied by a purpose letter confirming why the certificate is necessary. Right Person generates the purpose letter automatically so the candidate doesn't have to do it themselves.
What is a purpose letter?
A purpose letter is the documentation that accompanies an application for a criminal record certificate. The letter describes the role the applicant will fill and why the position requires a criminal record certificate under the Police Register Act.
The purpose letter is a prerequisite for the Norwegian police to process the application at all. Without a correctly completed purpose letter, the application will be rejected.
What should the purpose letter contain?
- Name of the organisation requesting the certificate
- Organisation number
- Candidate's name and national identity number
- Specific description of the position or role
- Reference to the legal basis in the Police Register Act (§ 39 for children's criminal record certificate; other sections for other certificate types)
- Contact person and date
Errors or omissions — such as incorrect legal reference — are the most common reason applications are returned.
Who is responsible for the purpose letter?
It is the organisation, i.e. the employer or client, that issues and signs the purpose letter. The applicant cannot create it themselves. This is because it is the organisation that must document that the position actually requires a certificate — this is not something the police verify themselves.
When is a purpose letter not enough?
Some roles require additional documentation — for example employees in child welfare services, asylum centres and certain health services. Right Person keeps track of which types of positions require extended documentation and gives you the right template automatically.
How Right Person generates the purpose letter for you
- Select the right position type. Coach, instructor, nursery employee, healthcare professional — we have templates for all categories covered by the Police Register Act.
- The system fills in the letter. Organisation data, correct legal reference and purpose description are inserted automatically — no risk of errors.
- The candidate uses the letter. The candidate receives the completed purpose letter and uses it when applying for a criminal record certificate from the police.
- No manual signing. Save time on printing, signing and scanning — everything happens digitally and is logged.
Skip the paperwork
Right Person handles the purpose letter, application, follow-up and documentation — you just get notified when the certificate is ready.