Are you getting married in Belgium to a partner of foreign nationality? The municipality will ask you for several foreign documents, translated by a sworn translator. Here is the list of documents to translate for a mixed marriage in Belgium, and how to avoid hold-ups when putting together the file.
📖 See also: translate a birth certificate · apostille and legalisation · sworn translation in 24h
Which documents does the municipality require?
To perform a marriage, the civil status officer compiles a file proving the identity, civil status and capacity to marry of each future spouse. For the partner born abroad, the following documents are generally required, accompanied by a sworn translation:
- Birth certificate: recent, with marginal notes.
- Certificate of single status or of capacity to marry: it attests that the person is free to marry.
- Proof of nationality and a copy of the passport or identity card.
- Proof of domicile / residence depending on the situation.
- Divorce or death certificate of the previous spouse if the person has already been married.
The exact list varies depending on the municipality and nationality: always confirm it with your civil status service before launching the translations.
TranslateBE
Are you preparing a mixed marriage?
Sworn translations of all your civil status documents, accepted by Belgian municipalities. Quote within 1 hour.
The procedure, step by step
- Ask your municipality for the list: each administration has its own list of documents and its language (French or Dutch).
- Gather the recent documents: most documents must be less than 3 to 6 months old.
- Have the originals apostilled or legalised in the country of issue if necessary.
- Have the whole set translated by a Belgian sworn translator into the language of the municipality.
- Submit the complete file to the civil status service to set the wedding date.
The most common pitfall: the expired certificate of single status. As it has a short validity period, request it and have it translated last, just before submitting the file.
Why is a sworn translation compulsory?
The civil status officer is responsible for the validity of the marriage: they must be able to read documents whose accuracy is guaranteed. Only a translation carried out by a sworn translator recognised by a Belgian Court of Appeal and registered with the FPS Justice offers this guarantee. A free translation, even a correct one, is refused and delays the wedding date.
TranslateBE · Certified Agency
Your marriage file ready first time
We translate all your civil status documents into the right language, ready for your municipality.
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
Do the documents of both spouses have to be translated?
Only the foreign documents have to be translated. Belgian documents are provided directly by the municipality. The spouse born in Belgium generally has nothing to translate.
Is the certificate of single status always required?
Very often, yes. It proves that the person is not already married. Depending on the country, it may be called a 'certificate of capacity to marry' or 'certificate of custom'. Confirm the exact term with your municipality.
How long before the wedding should you get started?
Allow several weeks: the time to gather the recent documents, have them apostilled and translated. For a tight deadline, an express service is available.
Is the wedding date approaching?
Express 24-48h for your civil status documents. Sworn translations ready for the municipality.