Brussels IIa Regulation - Matrimonial matters and matters of parental responsibility forms


National information and online forms concerning Regulation No. 2201/2003.


Council Regulation (EC) No 2201/2003 (Brussels IIa Regulation) applies to legal proceedings instituted, to authentic instruments formally drawn up or registered, and to court settlements approved or concluded, in matrimonial matters and matters of parental responsibility before 1 August 2022.

For proceedings started on or after 1 August 2022, Brussels IIa Regulation has been replaced by Council Regulation (EU) 2019/1111 (Brussels IIb Regulation). Additional information on Brussels IIb Regulation: notifications and online forms.

The Brussels IIa Regulation applies between all Member States of the European Union with the exception of Denmark.

The Brussels IIa Regulation determines the courts of which Member State have jurisdiction to decide on matters of parental responsibility or matrimonial matters, where there is an international element. It further provides that a decision in matrimonial matters and matters of parental responsibility given in a Member State shall be recognised in the other Member States without any special procedure being required. Depending on the type of decision, declaration of enforceability (‘exequatur’) may be needed.

Additionally, the Brussels IIa Regulation complements and reinforces the 1980 Hague Convention by specifying rules on cooperation in cases of parental child abduction taking place between Member States.

Each Member State shall designate at least one Central Authority to assist with the application of the Brussels IIa Regulation.

The Regulation provides for four standard forms.

Submission of forms to competent authority

Completed forms should be sent to the relevant competent authority in a manner required by the authority. More information on the contact details for competent authorities, relevant national legislature etc. can be found in the European Judicial Atlas section. This page includes a search tool to find the competent authorities to which to send completed forms.

You can complete these forms online by clicking one of the links below. If you have already started a form and saved a draft, you can upload it using the "Load draft" button.

As of 1 January 2021, the United Kingdom is no longer an EU Member State. However, in the field of civil justice, pending procedures and proceedings initiated before the end of the transition period will continue under EU law. Until the end of 2024, the United Kingdom can continue to be selected in online (dynamic) forms for the purpose of these proceedings and procedures. An exception to this rule are the Public documents forms, in which the UK should not be selected.

Please note that if you exceed 30 minutes of inactivity, all of your input will be lost unless you save a draft!

  • Certificate referred to in Article 39 concerning judgments in matrimonial matters
    • in English
  • Certificate referred to in Article 39 concerning judgments on parental responsibility
    • in English
  • Certificate referred to in Article 41(1) concerning judgments on rights of access
    • in English
  • Certificate referred to in Article 42(1) concerning the return of the child
    • in English

If you already have a form saved, please use the "Load draft" button.

If you already have a form saved, please use the "Load draft" button.


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Last update : 26/09/2022