Criminal background checks
Criminal record and conduct checks are restricted. We get you certified and add the required disclosures.
If your business helps people obtain criminal background or disclosure checks, you have likely seen your Google Ads disapproved with little explanation. Terms like DBS in the UK, VOG in the Netherlands, or Führungszeugnis in Germany trigger Google's Government Documents and Services (GODOS) policy, which restricts advertising for documents and services that are traditionally issued or overseen by a government body.
Under the GODOS policy, only certified governments and authorized providers may run ads that promote direct acquisition of restricted documents such as a certificate of conduct for employment. Every other advertiser must apply for Google certification and complete Google's advertiser verification program before their ads can run. Google also automatically appends a "Not a government website" disclosure to Search ads unless you are a certified government provider.
The good news: certification is achievable. Once you are certified to advertise, you can compete for high-intent searches from job seekers, employers, and volunteers who need criminal record checks — a market where visibility on Google Search makes a measurable difference to a facilitation or assistance business.
What’s restricted
- Criminal background / disclosure check
- Certificate of conduct for employment
Why Google restricts criminal background checks ads
Criminal background checks sit at the intersection of sensitive personal data and official government processes. Google restricts this category because bad actors have historically used ads to impersonate official issuing bodies, charge inflated fees for free or low-cost government services, or harvest identity information under the guise of processing a disclosure check. Protecting users from these scams is the core purpose of the GODOS policy.
Because a criminal record certificate can determine whether someone gets a job, a visa, or a volunteering role, the potential for consumer harm is high. Google therefore limits advertising to certified governments and to third parties who have proven their legitimacy through certification and verification, ensuring that people searching for a DBS, VOG, or Führungszeugnis are not misled about who they are dealing with.
Who needs GODOS certification
- Third-party services that help individuals apply for or complete criminal disclosure checks (DBS, VOG, Führungszeugnis and equivalents).
- Umbrella or registered bodies that process DBS checks on behalf of employers and applicants.
- Background screening and employment vetting companies that include criminal record checks as part of their offering.
- Recruitment, HR, and compliance platforms that facilitate certificates of conduct for hiring.
- Any business that is not the government issuing authority but wants to advertise these services on Google Ads.
How to get certified: step by step
- 1
Confirm your category applies
Verify that your services fall under the criminal background check category — for example facilitating a DBS check, a Dutch VOG, or a German Führungszeugnis. Understanding exactly which restricted service you promote shapes your entire application.
- 2
Align your website and business model
Ensure your landing pages clearly state that you are a third-party facilitator, not a government body, and that your fees, service scope, and refund terms are transparent. Remove any language implying official government status.
- 3
Complete Google advertiser verification
Finish Google's advertiser identity and business verification program. This confirms who you are and is a prerequisite for running ads in restricted GODOS categories.
- 4
Submit the GODOS certification application
Apply through Google's certification form for the criminal background checks category, providing accurate details about your services, jurisdiction, and relationship to the relevant issuing authority.
- 5
Prepare supporting documentation
Gather evidence such as registration with the relevant screening body, licences, or authorizations that demonstrate you are entitled to offer these services in each region you target.
- 6
Monitor, respond, and maintain compliance
After submission, track your application status, respond promptly to Google's requests, and keep your ads and site compliant so certification remains in good standing.
Common mistakes that get ads disapproved
- Using official-sounding names, crests, or wording that implies the business is the government issuing authority for DBS, VOG, or Führungszeugnis.
- Failing to complete advertiser verification before or alongside the GODOS certification application.
- Hiding or obscuring service fees, making it unclear that the applicant is paying a facilitation charge on top of any government fee.
- Running ads across multiple countries without holding the correct authorization or registration for each jurisdiction's check.
- Ignoring Google's disapproval warnings, which are typically issued at least 7 days before account suspension.
- Landing pages that lack clear contact details, terms, and a statement that the site is not affiliated with any government.
How we help
We guide criminal background check providers through every stage of GODOS certification, from reviewing your website and business model against the policy to preparing your advertiser verification and certification application. Our team understands the nuances of region-specific checks such as the UK DBS, Dutch VOG, and German Führungszeugnis, and we tailor your submission to the jurisdictions you serve so your application is accurate and complete.
We work with advertisers worldwide and are an independent consultancy, not affiliated with Google. While final decisions always rest with Google and no outcome can be guaranteed, we significantly reduce avoidable errors, help you respond to warnings and disapprovals, and position your business to be certified to advertise as efficiently as possible.
Region-specific examples
Related services
Google Ads Policy Audit
A full review of your account, ads, and landing pages against the GODOS policy, with a prioritized fix list.
Ad Copy Compliance
We rewrite ad copy and extensions to meet policy requirements without losing performance.
Landing Page Optimization
Compliant, high-converting landing pages with the correct disclaimers and disclosures.
Google & Government Verification
Guidance through Google certification and the advertiser verification program, step by step.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need GODOS certification if I only help people apply for a DBS check? +
Yes. If you are a third party facilitating criminal disclosure checks rather than the official government issuing body, your ads fall under the GODOS policy. You must apply for Google certification and complete advertiser verification before your ads can run.
Will my ads show a "Not a government website" disclosure? +
Almost certainly. Google automatically adds this disclosure to Search ads in the criminal background checks category unless you are a certified government provider. Being upfront about your third-party status on your site helps you stay consistent with this requirement.
Can I advertise DBS, VOG, and Führungszeugnis services in one account? +
You can, but you generally need to demonstrate the appropriate authorization or registration for each jurisdiction you target. Certification and supporting documentation should reflect every region and check type you intend to promote.
What happens if my ads are disapproved before I get certified? +
Google typically issues a warning at least 7 days before suspending an account for policy violations. Use that window to pause non-compliant ads, correct your site, and progress your certification rather than risking a full suspension.
Can you guarantee my certification will be approved? +
No. We are an independent consultancy and not affiliated with Google, so all certification decisions rest with Google. What we can do is prepare a thorough, accurate, policy-aligned application and help you avoid the common mistakes that cause rejections.
How long does the certification process take? +
Timelines vary depending on how quickly verification is completed and how Google reviews your application. Having your website, business documentation, and jurisdiction details ready in advance is the best way to keep the process moving smoothly.