Legalisation of a signature

The purpose of legalisation is to guarantee that the signature on a document is that of the person who signed it.

A signature can be legalised in two different ways: digitally or on paper.

To avoid any unpleasant surprises, if the document is to be used abroad, find out whether the digital format is recognised by the embassy or consulate of the country to which the document is being sent.

  • Your main residence must be located in the City of Brussels
  • Produce the document to be legalised, drawn up in French or Dutch

Digital format:

In this case, the document is signed electronically using an identity card (eID) + PIN code + card reader.

This can be done:

Online, by following the steps below:

  1. Fill in the required information
  2. Upload the document to be legalised (one document only, in PDF format)
  3. Once the document has been validated by the administration, you will receive an email inviting you to sign the document electronically
  4. The document will then be available for 90 days in digital format in the 'My documents' tab of your MyBXL personal account
    Please note: if the document is to be used abroad, it will automatically be sent to the legalisation department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs via the eLegalisation platform to complete the rest of the procedure.

Without appointment, at the counter of the Brucity Administrative Centre or the liaison offices of Laeken, Louise, Neder-Over-Heembeek and Haren.

Paper format:

In this case, the document is signed manually: without appointment, at the counter of the Brucity Administrative Centre or the liaison offices of Laeken, Louise, Neder-Over-Heembeek and Haren.

Brucity: peak hours at the counters without appointment

Peak hours at the Brucity counters (with accessible table)

  • Identity card or residence permit
  • Document to be legalised, in French or Dutch
  • If power of attorney: power of attorney + copy of the applicant's identity card or residence permit and the signed document with the original signature to be legalised

Free of charge

Please note: if the document is to be used abroad, it is sent to the legalisation department of the FPS Foreign Affairs. There is a charge for this service (20 euros per document).

  • Digital format: 3 to 5 working days
  • Paper format: immediately

Please note: if the document is to be used abroad, it is sent to the legalisation department of the FPS Foreign Affairs. In this case, the waiting period is 3 to 5 working days.

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