Birth certificate

Birth certificate

A birth certificate is issued no later than 15 days after the birth of the child, once the declaration of birth has been made by the parents.

Electronic format

Since 2019, all certificates are issued in electronic format, signed with a QR code and recorded in the Civil Status Records Database (BAEC). Older documents are also gradually being integrated into the BAEC and issued in the same format.

Available certificates

Belgian certificate: birth certificate registered in Belgium.

Foreign certificate transcribed in Belgium: for Belgians born abroad, the certificate must have been officially registered in a Belgian commune. This transcription allows the foreign certificate to be recognised in Belgium and facilitates administrative procedures.

Good to know: if your certificate was transcribed before 2004, it must have been submitted to the FPS Foreign Affairs.

Two types of certificate

Extract: summary of essential, up-to-date information.

Full copy: full reproduction with history of any modifications.

Since 1 January 2025, you can apply for:

• Your own certificates
• Certificates for your minor child
• Certificates for a member of your family (spouse, legal cohabitant, adult child, parent or heir only)

There are several ways of obtaining your certificate:

Online via MyBXL 

Log in with your identity card + PIN code or via Itsme

By e-mail 

Send your request to etatcivil@brucity.be with the following information:

• Subject of the e-mail: 'Birth certificate request'
• Contact details: your surname, first name and date of birth + a copy of both sides of your proof of identity
• Type of certificate required: extract or copy
• For Belgium or abroad: specify the country where the certificate will be used
• Reason for the request: specify the procedure for which you need the certificate

Without appointment

At the counter of the Brucity Administrative Centre or the liaison offices of Laeken and Neder-Over-Heembeek.

Good to know!

If your document is destined for a foreign country, submit your request directly to the FPS Foreign Affairs via External siteeLegalisation to obtain the necessary legalisation/apostille.

For all applications

Proof of identity

For an application on behalf of a member of your family (spouse, legal cohabitant, adult child, parent, heir)

The documents you need to provide vary depending on the administrative procedure they are intended for:

Foreign administrative or legal procedures

Copy of the document/letter from the foreign authority proving that you need the document to complete one of the following procedures:

• Drawing up or amending a foreign civil status record: marriage abroad, recognition of a child abroad, change of surname/first name, death,...
• Conducting legal proceedings abroad: divorce, parental authority,...
• Registering with social security or a foreign authority: moving abroad, obtaining foreign nationality, family allowances, pension, school enrolment,...
• Proof of kinship with a view to travelling
• Drawing up a notarial deed in a foreign country: purchase or sale of a property, incorporation of a company, property contract,...
• Looking for a job abroad
• Applying for a foreign passport, identity card or driving licence

Inheritance procedure

Copy of the notification stating that you are a presumed heir or specifying the need to provide a birth certificate in order to complete one of the following procedures:

• Accept or renounce an estate
• Recognise your testators or heirs

Application for judicial protection

Copy of the request for production of the document for the application for an extrajudicial protection order

Other procedures

Hold a power of attorney from the family member concerned

Issuing the document: free of charge

Legalisation/apostille: 20 euros to be paid to the FPS Foreign Affairs

Certificates recorded in the Civil Status Records Database (BAEC):

• Online or at the counter: immediately
• By e-mail: 5 working days

Certificates transcribed before 2004 (submitted to the FPS Foreign Affairs): 10 working days

Certificates not recorded in the BAEC or drawn up by another municipality: variable waiting periods

Foreign certificates: add 1 to 5 working days for legalisation by the FPS Foreign Affairs