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Apostille company statutes or a power of attorney
For use abroad, distinguish notarial deeds, private powers and company extracts. Check issuer, submission route and translation requirements.
Understand the processBelgian notarial deed: who requests the apostille?
Link to this sectionFor a Belgian notarial deed or power of attorney intended for use abroad, the office authenticates the document and submits it through eLegalisation. When an apostille is required, the notarial document cannot be submitted at the Foreign Affairs counter or by post. The counter exception concerns a handwritten signature requiring paper legalisation, without an apostille. Identify the required formality before travelling.
Which fee and processing time since August 2026?
Link to this sectionSince 1 August 2026, Foreign Affairs charges €25 per legalisation or apostille. Its current page states five working days for applications submitted by notaries. This covers application processing, not drafting, translation or procedures with the recipient. Request a quote separating notarial services, formalities and translation; €25 is not the total cost of the file.
Which languages and electronic file should you keep?
Link to this sectionFor legalisation or apostille processing, Foreign Affairs accepts documents in French, Dutch, German, English, Spanish, Italian or Portuguese; other languages require a sworn translation attached to the original. This is the department’s processing rule, not the foreign recipient’s language policy. Belgian apostilles have been electronic only since 1 May 2018. They can be consulted and downloaded on LegalWeb using their number and issue date.
Preparation advice from CertiDocs
Notarial deed, private power or CBE extract: what should you prepare?
Link to this sectionMessage to adapt: ‘Document [type, issuer, date] will be presented to [authority, country]. Do you require an apostille or legalisation on the original and/or translation? Who submits the application, and which electronic or paper format do you accept?’
| Your situation | What to check | Next step |
|---|---|---|
| Belgian notarial deed requiring apostille | Destination country and office’s application | Ask the office to submit through eLegalisation and track the final file. |
| Private power of attorney | Accepted form and signature to authenticate | Have the recipient and competent authority confirm the required route before taking formal steps. |
| Belgian business-register extract | Signed document for use abroad | Contact an accredited business counter; do not replace the requested document with a search screenshot. |
Documents to prepare
- Issuing country, destination and document to authenticate identified
- Complete signed version or identified draft, with every annex
- Identities, signatory’s capacity and references compared
- Language, format, formalities and submission date confirmed in writing
Steps to follow
Identify the procedure
Issuing country, destination and document to authenticate identified
Gather the right version
Complete signed version or identified draft, with every annex
Check references
Identities, signatory’s capacity and references compared
Confirm before translation
Language, format, formalities and submission date confirmed in writing
Good to know
Guides
On the same topic
Other steps to prepare. Apostille, legalisation and foreign documents.
Sworn translation of a notarial deed in Belgium
Foreign or Belgian notarial deed: check the version, annexes, sworn translation and any legalisation before sending it to the recipient.
Contract: sworn or standard translation in Belgium?
A sworn contract translation is not automatic: use, recipient, signatures and annexes determine the right format in Belgium.
eLegalisation: apostille a Belgian document online
Prepare the online application for a document issued in Belgium.
For your application
Related documents
Common translations
Budget
Prepare your translation request
Choose the document type in the form to see your fixed price.
One fixed price per complete document, regardless of page count. Confirm the price before submitting. See all prices
Frequently asked questions
+−Can I take a notarial deed to the counter for an apostille?
+−Does the €25 fee include translation?
+−Are the department’s seven languages accepted everywhere?
+−Does a CBE extract follow the same route as notarial articles?
Official source
Official sources used
The references below are the public sources used to document this page. The competent authority always retains the final decision.
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