How do I request access to my personal data held by the Dutch police?
You can ask the Dutch police for access to your own personal data online or in writing to the privacy desk. Data used for policing tasks generally fall under the Wpg; other processing falls under the GDPR (AVG). The response periods differ, and access does not automatically provide the full criminal case file.
What would you like help with?
Detailed explanation, checklist and sources
On this page
- Request your own data
- Make your request identifiable and specific
- Use the official police access-request channel
- Verify your identity safely
- Track the applicable response period
- Assess the reply and your next step
- Will an access request automatically give me every document in my criminal case?
- Documents to prepare
- Sources
1. Request your own data
For criminal investigations, public-order enforcement and assistance, the police process data under the Dutch Police Data Act (Wpg). Other processing, such as certain complaint administration or internal operations, may fall under the GDPR (AVG). Ask whether your personal data are processed and request access. This concerns your data, not your neighbour's. Special criminal-procedure rules apply to case documents; a privacy request cannot bypass those file-access rules.
2. Make your request identifiable and specific
Describe the data or period you want to inspect. A registration number, date, location and brief incident description can help the police search. Normally you need not explain why you want access. You can also ask about purposes, origin, retention and recipients. State clearly that you request access; correcting or deleting data is a separate request subject to its own conditions.
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3. Use the official police access-request channel
Use the current access information on politie.nl. The police offer an electronic form and a written route to the privacy desk of the police unit covering your place of residence. Sign a postal request. Keep your request, attachments and proof of sending or receipt. This website does not submit anything for you. A freedom-of-information (Woo) request or a new incident report is not the appropriate route to access your own police data. Access may also be offered on site with other people's details masked. If you want police to disclose information to another party, such as your insurer seeking recovery, that is a separate request requiring a legal basis. Submit it in writing; the digital access form cannot be used. This route does not provide all reports for civil proceedings.
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4. Verify your identity safely
The police must verify your identity. Follow the current official instructions for the identity copy: mask your photo and citizen service number (BSN), leaving your name, date of birth and document number readable. KopieID can help prepare a masked copy. Further verification may be required if identity is uncertain. Send ID only through the police channel, never in our chat or preparation tool. Representation and requests about minors can have different requirements; check them before acting for someone else.
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5. Track the applicable response period
A Wpg access request has a statutory decision period of six weeks. The police may notify a postponement in writing of up to four weeks, or up to six weeks where data are processed by different regional units or a national unit; these are alternatives, not cumulative. Under the GDPR, a response is due within one month. Complexity or the number of requests can justify two additional months, with notice within the first month. Record receipt and any extension; ask which law and period apply if unclear.
6. Assess the reply and your next step
Access may be partly or fully restricted where necessary and proportionate for an investigation, safety or other people's rights. Others' data may be masked; some informant data are excluded. Refusal is not automatically unlawful. Read the written decision and its remedy instructions. A Wpg decision is an administrative decision under the Awb; an ordinary privacy complaint does not automatically preserve a legal-remedy deadline. Get the appropriate route assessed after refusal or no response. The checklist, chat and our own help-request route support preparation without automatic submission.
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Will an access request automatically give me every document in my criminal case?
No. Access concerns your personal data and may be restricted. Special criminal-procedure rules apply to data in case documents. Ask your lawyer which documents you need and which route applies to your role in the case.
Documents to prepare
Prepare your next stepFill in and save · Word
Tick what you have checked or collected. Note what is missing and take your overview to a meeting.
Unless saved in My overview: Your entries stay only on this screen. Download before leaving; closing or reloading clears them. Do not enter identity numbers, passwords or unnecessary personal details.
What do you still need for your next step?
Item 1 / 8 · Where do you stand with this item?
My own data, or verified authority to represent someone
This overview follows your own answers. It does not assess your rights or guarantee that your file is complete.
Your choices stay here. Use the buttons below if you want to save or download.
View all details, notes and timeline
Your timeline and evidence
List events and contacts. Note where you keep the evidence; no upload is needed.
What goes in my timeline?
Record what happened, when, the response and where to find the letter, message or photo. Mark uncertain dates.
Is my evidence sent?
No. You only note where it is kept. No files are uploaded or sent automatically.
How do I save my timeline?
Your entries are not saved automatically. Choose Save and continue later to store this preparation, including your timeline, in My overview. Wait for confirmation and save new changes again. You can also download a Word file without an account.
Up to 20 events. Choose a different position for an event to change the order.
0 / 8 · Checked or collected
For each event, note the date, what happened and where the evidence is kept. Example: 3 October — letter received — correspondence folder.
Describe the solution you would like, such as an explanation of a deduction and repayment of the outstanding amount.
For example: which document is missing, who can provide it and what should I do first?
Record the date and its source. If unknown, note this and check promptly. This tool does not calculate or monitor deadlines.
After your conversation
These are your own notes. Confirm agreements with the other person; these notes do not prove their agreement.
This is your preparation, not a submitted request, objection or legally reviewed document. A tick records only your own progress. Check the procedure and deadline in the original letter.
Save and continue later
Clear entries
Download anything you want to keep first. Clearing cannot be undone.
- My own data, or verified authority to represent someone
- Processing for policing tasks or other administration
- Data, period and any incident or registration references
- My specific access request and questions
- Official privacy desk or electronic police form
- Identity verification only with the police, appropriately masked
- Sending/receipt date and any written postponement
- Decision, missing response and remedy instructions
Contact with a lawyer
You can use the chat and information without a phone number. A contact request requires a phone number, a verified email address and your wish for telephone contact. Our team assesses which partner fits your question. Data is shared only under the stated consent procedure. A partner or engagement is not guaranteed.
View the current application processSources
Need personal assistance? Request a lawyer through our chat. We explain the next step; submitting a request does not engage a lawyer. The links below support the legal information.
Politie · Inzage in eigen persoonsgegevens ↗Politie · Schriftelijk inzageverzoek ↗Politie · Actuele privacyverklaring ↗Politie · Privacyverklaring januari 2026 ↗Wet politiegegevens · actuele toestand, artikelen 24a–29 ↗AVG · artikelen 12 en 15 ↗Sources may be in Dutch. General information about Dutch law, not individual legal advice.