Find information per region
The use of languages by local services is governed by Belgium’s language-related legislation for administrative matters (Law of 2 August 1963 on the use of languages for administrative matters and the Royal Decree of 18 July 1966 coordinating laws on the use of languages for administrative matters).
This legislation determines which language(s) citizens may use when submitting documents to an authority.
Belgium has four linguistic regions: the Dutch-speaking region, the French-speaking region, the German-speaking region, and the Brussels Capital region (Article 2 of the Law on the use of languages for administrative matters). In each linguistic region, the local authorities will only accept documents submitted in the language of that region.
The municipalities in the provinces of Antwerp, Limburg, East Flanders, West Flanders and Flemish Brabant:
where documents should be submitted in Dutch
With the exception of: the municipalities of Sint-Genesius-Rode, Wezembeek-Oppem, Drogenbos, Kraainem, Linkebeek, Wemmel, Bever, Herstappe, Spiere-Helkijn, Voeren, Mesen and Ronse:
where documents should be submitted in Dutch, but may be submitted in French.
The municipalities in the provinces of Hainaut, Luxembourg, Namur, Liège (with the exception of the German-speaking area) and Walloon Brabant:
where documents should be submitted in French.
With the exception of: the municipalities of Soignies, Enghien, Mouscron and Comines-Warneton:
where documents should be submitted in French, but may be submitted in Dutch.
With the exception of: the municipalities of Malmedy and Waimes:
where documents should be submitted in French, but may be submitted in German.
The municipalities of Amel, Büllingen, Burg-Reuland, Bütgenbach, Eupen, Kelmis, Lontzen, Raeren and Sankt Vith:
where documents should be submitted in German, but may be submitted in French.
The municipalities of Anderlecht, Auderghem, Berchem-Sainte-Agathe, Brussels, Etterbeek, Evere, Ganshoren, Forest, Ixelles, Jette, Koekelberg, Molenbeek-Saint-Jean, Saint-Gilles, Saint-Josse-ten-Noode, Schaerbeek, Uccle, Watermael-Boitsfort, Woluwe-Saint-Lambert and Woluwe-Saint-Pierre:
where documents may be submitted in Dutch or French.
1) Civil status certificates (drawn up by Belgian municipalities and by diplomatic missions and consulates)
2) Court decisions
3) Extract from the Central Criminal Register
4) Certificates issued by consular posts
5) Certificates issued by municipalities/the Federal Public Service of the Interior (SPF Intérieur)
1) Copies of civil status certificates
Drawn up by municipalities and consular posts:
- Birth certificate;
- Marriage certificate;
- Death certificate.
2) Extract from the Central Criminal Register
- Absence of a criminal record.
3) Certificates issued by consular posts
- Proof of capacity to marry;
- Marital status.
4) Certificates issued by municipalities/the Federal Public Service of the Interior
- Certificate showing a person’s main residence -> Annex X;
- Certificate showing a person’s main residence with address history -> Annex X;
- Proof of life certificate -> Annex II;
- Legal cohabitation certificate -> Annex VII;
- Pre-nuptial residence certificate -> Annex X.
As yet, there is no list of sworn translators in Belgium.
The Law of 10 April 2014 amending various provisions with a view to establishing a national register of legal experts and establishing a national register of sworn translators, interpreters and translator-interpreters entered into force on 1 December 2016.
This law sets out to create a national register of sworn translators, interpreters and translator-interpreters; however, the national register is not yet operational.
A new law on the further development of the national register is currently being drafted. Once the law has been passed and the national register is operational, Belgium will send the Commission a link to the website of the national register. This website will make it easy for anyone to find a sworn translator for the language they need in their region, although not all information on sworn translators will be publicly available.
1) Civil status certificates:
- Municipalities;
- Taken directly from the database of civil status certificates (Banque de données des actes de l’état civil, BAEC);
- Belgian embassies and consulates;
- The Federal Public Service of Foreign Affairs - Personal Rights Directorate (SPF Affaires étrangères – Direction Droit des personnes).
2) Certificates issued by municipalities/the Federal Public Service of the Interior (using ‘Mon dossier’)
- Federal Public Service of the Interior – Directorate-General for Institutions and Population - National Register (Direction générale Institutions et Population - Registre national).
3) Extract from the Central Criminal Register
‘Copies’ of an extract from the Central Criminal Register cannot be certified as authentic copies. Only the original extract issued is considered authentic.
Information regarding extracts and certificates (not certified copies)
1) Civil status certificates:
- The logo of the municipality OR the logo of the BAEC OR the logo of the consular post and the logo of Belgium.
- Electronic stamp of the BAEC + link/barcode to be used to check that the copy or extract was issued by the BAEC.
2) Certificates from the Federal Public Service of the Interior (using ‘Mon dossier’):
The seal (electronic stamp) of the Kingdom of Belgium and the words ‘SPF Intérieur – Registre national’ appear on each document.
The files are in PDF format and feature the National Register’s signature and all the official logos.
The electronic stamp appears in the letters ‘IBZ’ in the header.
3) Extracts from the Central Criminal Register
- Extracts issued by the municipal authorities
The extract must be dated and signed by the municipal authorities. (Article 10, Royal Decree of 21 November 2016).
Currently, extracts must always feature an authentic stamp, the date and the signature of the mayor or his/her deputy.
As extracts are taken from the Central Criminal Register, they will also always feature a visible (scanned) signature of the Director of the Central Criminal Register.
A number of municipalities already issue extracts in electronic format.
- Extracts issued by the Central Criminal Register
The document will feature the embossed stamp of the Central Criminal Register, as well as the (registered) signature of the official who issued the extract.
Nothing aside from what is referred to above.
The national language version of this page is maintained by the respective Member State. The translations have been done by the European Commission service. Possible changes introduced in the original by the competent national authority may not be yet reflected in the translations. The European Commission accepts no responsibility or liability whatsoever with regard to any information or data contained or referred to in this document. Please refer to the legal notice to see copyright rules for the Member State responsible for this page.