Would you like to get married in Brussels against the magnificent backdrop of the Grand-Place?
The first step is to file a declaration of marriage with your local authority. You then have between 14 days and 6 months to organise your civil wedding ceremony.
To marry, the future spouses must:
- Be over 18
- Consent to the marriage
- Be single, divorced or widowed
- Not be related to one another
- At least one of them must reside in the City of Brussels
Please note: the marriage licence may be suspended or rejected if it appears, from a combination of factors, that the marriage is intended to obtain an advantage in terms of immigration status or that it has been entered into under duress.
If you are Belgian and live abroad, you can get married in the City of Brussels in one of the following cases:
- You were born in the City of Brussels, your last registered address in Belgium was there, or if one of your relatives, up to the second degree, is domiciled there.
- You were born abroad and have no family ties or previous residence in Belgium.
Online via MyBXL
- Log in with your identity card and PIN code or via Itsme
- Fill in the form with your details and those of your future spouse
- Upload copies of both sides of your identity documents
- Submit the application
- If your future spouse already has a Belgian national number, he or she must also log in to validate the application within 10 days
Once the application has been analysed, you will be contacted by the authorities with detailed instructions on how to proceed.
More info?
- By e-mail: mariages-huwelijken@brucity.be
- By calling 02 279 34 40
For each of the future spouses:
- National identity document or passport
- The list of documents varies according to the nationality, marital status or residence status of the future spouses. It will be sent to you once your application has been reviewed.
Please note: foreign documents must be authenticated or certified with an apostille (where necessary) in the country of issue and translated by a sworn translator if they are not issued in French or Dutch.
The City offers two different price options:
Basic tariff: 50 euros
- Wedding date: you choose the date (Friday or Saturday) according to availability, but the time is set by the City Hall. The exact time is confirmed the week before the wedding.
- Entrance: in front of the Escalier des Lions at the Grand-Place.
- Duration of the ceremony: 15 minutes.
- Parking: 3 parking permits (if no other events are planned on the Grand-Place)
Courtyard tariff: 300 (50 euros + 250 euros supplement)
- Date and time: you choose the date (Friday or Saturday) and time according to availability.
- Entrance: the Cour d'Honneur of the City Hall.
- Duration of the ceremony: 20 minutes with the possibility of a personal speech and photo session on the balcony with the witnesses (if accessible).
- Parking: 5 parking permits (if no other events are planned on the Grand-Place)
Please note: these benefits are subject to availability and may be affected by unforeseen events. No refunds will be made.
Declaration of marriage
The declaration can be registered once all the required documents have been submitted and your file is complete.
Wedding ceremonies
Once your declaration has been registered, your civil marriage ceremony must take place between 14 days and 6 months after the registration, depending on the date you choose and the availability of the City of Brussels.
You can reserve a date for your ceremony up to one year in advance once your application is complete and subject to any other events being organised at the Grand-Place or the City Hall.
If your wedding ceremony cannot be held in time, you can apply to the Public Prosecutor for an extension or exemption. If this is the case, please contact us to obtain the necessary documents.
1. Date and ceremony
Weddings are held on Fridays and Saturdays.
To change your wedding date, contact the Marriage Department as soon as possible. Additional charges may apply depending on waiting times and availability.
In the event of cancellation, please inform the Marriage Department as soon as possible. Refund and cancellation policies may vary.
Depending on the option chosen, the ceremony lasts between 15 and 20 minutes.
If your level of Dutch or French is not sufficient to understand the proceedings of the ceremony (reading of texts, exchange of consent), you must arrange for a sworn interpreter to be present on the day of the ceremony.
2. Marriage book and contract
In Belgium, the marriage book is not compulsory, although it is traditional. The book costs 25 euros (included in both rate plans) and will be given to you on your wedding day. Note that in some countries, the marriage book has official status as proof of family relationships. We advise you to check with the national authorities in your country.
In Belgium, a marriage contract is not compulsory. If the future spouses do not draw up a marriage contract, they will be subject to the legal regime of joint ownership of assets acquired during the marriage only. This means that assets acquired during the marriage are jointly owned, while those owned before the marriage or received by gift or inheritance remain the individual property of each spouse.
No, you do not need to submit your marriage contract to the local authority. If you wish to draw up a marriage contract, please contact a notary.
3. Witnesses and speeches
No, you can choose to marry with or without witnesses. You can choose up to four witnesses in total.
Yes, your witness does not have to live in Belgium. However, they must be over 18 and have a valid proof of ID.
Yes, you can ask the Registrar to personalise the greeting. You can also exchange vows or make a speech of no more than five minutes by notifying the Marriage Department in advance, at least 14 days before the ceremony.
4. Access and logistics
The wedding hall can accommodate up to 100 people.
Information about parking spaces will be sent to you a week before the wedding, along with the latest practical information. You will also be notified as soon as possible if there is an event on the Grand-Place that prevents access to the car park.
The Grand-Place is a pedestrian zone. All special vehicles (horse-drawn carriages, buses or limousines) require a permit. Contact the Marriage Department to obtain one. Police authorisation may also be required.
The wedding hall is located on the first floor of the Town Hall and is accessible by stairs. A narrow lift is also available. Please let the Marriage Department know in advance so we can assist you.
5. Music and entertainment
Yes, you can choose up to three pieces of music: the first for when you enter, the second to be played when you exchange rings (if you so wish) and the third when you leave. One of your guests can play the music from his or her phone using the sound system provided for the ceremony.
Playing music in the Grand-Place is prohibited. If you would like a band to play at your ceremony, you must obtain prior authorisation from the Marriage Department.
6. Rules and restrictions
No, animals, including doves, are not allowed in the wedding hall.
No, it is forbidden to throw rice, confetti or any other substance that could litter the public space, in particular the Grand-Place and the Courtyard of the Town Hall. Failure to comply with this rule can result in a fine of 200 euros for incivility on public property.
No, the use of drones is prohibited.
Yes, you can hire a photographer.
Last update on 12/11/2025
