Are you unmarried and expecting a child? A pre‑birth recognition allows the parental link with the father or co‑parent to be established before the baby arrives.
For unmarried couples, the parental link between the child and the father or co‑parent is not automatically established at birth. The father or co‑parent must therefore officially recognise the child.
This procedure can be carried out during pregnancy. In this case, it is called pre‑birth recognition.
Good to know!
Are you in a legal cohabitation?
This does not automatically establish parental ties. Recognition is therefore required.
Are you and the other parent foreign nationals?
The father or co-parent must recognise the child before birth in order to ensure the child's lawful residence in Belgium and to avoid legal difficulties.
- The mother must be pregnant.
- The mother must be single, divorced, or widowed for more than 300 days.
- The mother's consent is mandatory.
- The recognition must be carried out in the municipality where the mother lives or where the person recognising the child resides.
1. Fill in the online form
Complete the External siteonline birth registration form and submit it.
2. The City of Brussels schedules an appointment
Once your form has been received, the City will process your request within 3 working days and then offer you an appointment to finalise the recognition.
3. Attend the appointment
Both parents must be present for a pre‑birth recognition.
Bring all required documents.
4. Official recognition
If the file is complete, the official act of recognition is issued and can be accessed at any time.
Good to know!
Do not forget to declare the birth of your child at the municipality where the child is born. This declaration must be made within 15 calendar days following the birth.
More info?
02 279 22 11
- Identity card or national passport of both parents.
- A medical pregnancy certificate stating the estimated due date.
Good to know!
Additional documents may be requested depending on your individual situation.
Any foreign document must:
- Be original and External sitelegalised/apostilled (if required), and
- Be translated into French or Dutch by a sworn translator if it is written in another language.
- If the translation was done abroad, the translator’s signature must also be External sitelegalised/apostilled.
Free of charge
Pre‑birth recognition is carried out:
- Immediately at the counter, if everything is in order.
- Within 2 to 5 months, if the City needs to review your situation before making a decision.
Last update on 28/04/2026
