Police certificate of conduct – apply by post

How to apply

1. Before you apply for a police certificate of conduct
   • You can only apply for a certificate for yourself.
   • A police certificate of conduct is valid for three months only.

   Make sure you have a confirmation of the purpose of the certificate

   Normally, your employer or assignment provider will provide you with a completed confirmation of the purpose which you have to attach to your application. The list of approved police certificate purposes lists the purposes in alphabetical order. 

   Are you a college- or university student?

   The offer letter from Coordinated Admissions or the educational institution is your confirmation of purpose.

   • The receipt from the place of study or Studentweb is not valid as confirmation.

   Requirement for a police certificate in connection with practical studies or clinical teaching 
   If the educational institution requires a police certificate during the study in connection with practical studies or clinical teaching, they fill in a separate purpose confirmation for you. The offer letter or confirmation of purpose must indicate that the educational institution requires a police certificate from you, and must contain

   1. your name
   2. information about which study program you are a student at
   3. information about why a police certificate is required of you (for example, clinical teaching or practical studies)
   4. legal authority for requirements for a police certificate

   Are you an upper secondary school student planning a work practice period?

   According to new guidelines, your school can no longer request a police certificate of conduct or issue a confirmation of its purpose on behalf of your employer.

   Your employer is your work practice provider, and only they can request a police certificate of conduct, provided there is a legal basis for it. If there is a legal basis for requesting a police certificate of conduct, they must complete the confirmation of purpose form for you, which you must attach when you apply for a certificate. 

   Are you under 18?

   If you are under 18, a guardian must also sign the confirmation. Only apply for a police certificate of conduct when you have found a work practice employer.

2. Fill out the right application form

   Remember to attach these documents:

   • Proof of identity: For example, a copy of a valid passport, driving licence or bank card with your photo and signature.
   • The purpose confirmation form. Your employer, organisation or place of study must sign the form.
   • For university or college students:

     The offer letter from from the Norwegian Universities and Colleges Admission Service, or the educational institution is your confirmation of admission to the program. Confirmation of the purpose from the educational institution is your confirmation when you apply for a police certificate during your studies. 

   • For upper secondary school students: The application form for upper secondary school students is your confirmation. Both you and the school must sign the form.
   • For those under the age of 18: You need a signature from your guardians that they know you are applying for a police certificate.
   • For businesses: Your business's certificate of registration or a printout from the Central Coordinating Register for Legal Entities is your confirmation.

   Send your application and all attachments to

   Politiets enhet for vandelskontroll og politiattester
   PO Box 113
   9951 Vardø

3. Processing time

   You will receive the criminal record certificate within 2 weeks from the police received your application, if you have created a digital mailbox. If you receive the certificate by mail, it will take a little longer.

4. We send you the application

   As a general rule, the police certificate of conduct will be sent to your digital mailbox (Digipost or E-box) if you have created it.
   
   Get a digital mailbox here.

   If you have an e-Box, the certificate will be sent there

   This also applies even if you have a digital mailbox on Digipost. You can have e-Box without being aware of it. For example, your bank may have created an e-Box for you.

   If you do not have a digital mailbox, we will send the police certificate in Altinn.

   If you do not have Altinn, or have reserved yourself against digital communication with the public sector.

   - Then the police certificate of conduct has to be printed and sent by post.

   Unless you have stated otherwise, the certificate will be sent to your registered address. The postal service within Norway normally takes 10-14 days.

5. Submit an appeal

   Do you want to submit an appeal?

   • The appeal must be submitted no later than 3 weeks from you receive the police certificate of conduct.
   • You can appeal if you disagree with what has been included in the certificate, or if your application has been rejected.
   • The appeal must be in writing. Download the appeal form and fill it in (80 kB pdf).

   Send the appeal to

   Politiets enhet for vandelskontroll og politiattester
   PO Box 113
   9951 Vardø

   If your appeal is accepted, a new certificate will be issued. If your appeal is rejected, it will be forwarded to the National Police Directorate for further consideration.