Skip to main content

Death certificate

The death certificate is an act issued by an Officer of the Civil Registry that proves the death of a person.

The civil registrar of the place of death establishes this death record as soon as a death certificate drawn up by the doctor who certified it is submitted to him or her.

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.

Two types of certificate are available:

  • Extract: summary of essential, up-to-date information.
  • Copy: full reproduction with history of any modifications.

Which document?

You can request a:

  • Belgian certificate
  • Certificate transcribed in Belgium: Belgians with a foreign act must officially register it in a Belgian commune. This transcription allows the certificate to be recognised in Belgium and facilitates your administrative procedures.
    Please note: if your document was transcribed before 2004, it must have been submitted to the FPS Foreign Affairs.

By e-mail 

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

  • Subject 'Death certificate request'
  • Your name, first name, and date of birth + a copy of both sides of your identity document
  • Identity of the deceased
  • Destination: specify the country
  • Purpose of the request: specify who the document is intended for

Without appointment

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

Important: will you be using your certificate abroad?

If your certificate is to be used abroad, it may require:

  • Legalisation or apostille by the FPS Foreign Affairs.
  • An international multilingual format, accepted without legalisation for countries that signed the Vienna Convention (1976).

To find out exactly what you need, use the FPS Foreign Affairs External sitesimulator. This online tool guides you according to your situation and the destination country.

You can then request the document and the legalisation/apostille/multilingual format directly through the FPS's online platform: External siteeLegalisation.

Proof of identity

Issuing the document: free of charge

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

Certificates recorded in the BAEC:

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

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

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

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

PRACTICAL INFO