Foreign certificates and judgments

All citizens are legally obliged to inform the municipality in which they are registered of any changes to their identity or civil status, and to forward to them any corresponding foreign civil status certificates, administrative decisions or judgments that have been issued abroad.

On the basis of these documents, the local authority will update the national register and/or the Civil Status Records Database (BAEC).

The national register will be updated in the case of:

  • A change of marital status (single, married, divorced, widowed) made abroad
  • A surname change made abroad
  • A first name change made abroad
  • A change of date of birth made abroad
  • A change of birthplace made abroad
  • A change of parentage made abroad
  • A gender registration change made abroad
  • A death abroad

To have your main residence on the territory of the City of Brussels.

Belgians living abroad and registered with a Belgian diplomatic post can also take these steps:

  • a change of name made abroad
  • a change of forename made abroad
  • a change of filiation made abroad
  • a change of sex registration made abroad

There are two stages to this process:

First stage:

By e-mail, send the following 3 items of information so that we can analyse your application:

  1. the national registration number (or surname, first name and date of birth, or a copy of both sides of the identity or residence card) of the person concerned
  2. the subject of the change made abroad: marital status, change of surname, change of first name, date of birth, place of birth, parentage, change of gender registration, death,...
  3. the required documents

You will need to write to a specific e-mail address, depending on the nationality and type of residence of the citizen concerned:

  • Belgian citizen or holder of a C, D, EU+, F+, K, L or M card with permanent residence:
  • EU citizen holding a temporary residence permit of type 'annex 19 or 8b, EU or F card': europa@brucity.be
  • non-EU citizens holding a temporary residence permit of type 'registration certificate, annex 15, 49 or 26, A, B, F, H, I, J or M card': hue-neu@brucity.be

Second stage:

After analysis, and depending on the type of application, present the original documents at the counter of the Brucity Administrative Centre. You will need to make an appointment for this.

For people living abroad, the required documents can be sent by registered post. They will be returned once the procedure is complete.

Find out more by telephone on 02 279 22 11.

  1. Foreign certificate, administrative or judicial decision
  2. Translation of documents into French or Dutch by a sworn translator
  3. Legalisation or Apostille, if required (External site diplomatie.belgium.be)
  4. For non-Belgians, a scan/photocopy of the passport or national identity card showing the changes

After analysis, and depending on the type of application, other documents may also be requested.

Free of charge

Some updates to the National Register may require you to order a new identity or residence card: 25 euros

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