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Birth abroad

Birth abroad

Was your child born abroad? You must register the birth certificate so that it is legally recognised in Belgium. In some cases, recognition by the father may be required to establish parentage.

You can submit the application if:

  • Your main residence is on the territory of the City of Brussels, or
  • You are a Belgian citizen living abroad and the City of Brussels was your last place of residence in Belgium, or
  • You are a Belgian citizen who has never lived in Belgium.

The procedure takes place in several steps:

1. File analysis

Are you Belgian or a foreigner with permanent residence in Belgium?

Send an e-mail to analyse@brucity.be with the following information:

  • Subject of the e-mail: Birth abroad
  • Your details: last name, first name, national registration number
  • Copy of the required documents

Are you a foreigner with temporary residence in Belgium?

Send your e-mail to:

2. Presentation of the original documents

After the analysis, you will be given an appointment at the counter so you can present the original documents, translations, and any required legalisations.

Good to know!

Belgians living abroad may send the original documents by registered mail. They will be returned at the end of the procedure.

3. Official registration

Once your file is complete and approved, the foreign birth certificate will be registered in the Civil Registry Database (BAEC), and parentage will be updated. From that moment on, you can request an official copy of your child's birth certificate.

To submit your application, you need:

  • Identity document of the parents
  • Foreign birth certificate of the child
  • External siteLegalisation or apostille of the certificate, if required
  • Translation into French or Dutch by a sworn translator if the certificate is in another language. If the translator is foreign, their signature must also be External sitelegalised.

After the analysis, you will receive a detailed list of the documents to provide.

Good to know!

The names and first names of the parents must be identical on all documents. If there are differences, an additional birth certificate will be required.

25 euros

1 month after full validation of your file.

This period may be extended if the Public Prosecutor's opinion is required.

PRACTICAL INFO