CertiDocsThe practical guide
Belgian criminal record for abroad: request and translation
Has a foreign employer or authority requested a Belgian extract? State its exact purpose and destination country when requesting the record.
Understand the processMunicipality or Central Criminal Register?
Link to this sectionIf registered in a Belgian municipality, request the extract there, including for use abroad. The Central Criminal Register handles, among others, applicants who are not registered or have been removed from the register. State the exact purpose: models 595, 596-1 and 596-2 serve different uses.
How do you request eLegalisation of the extract?
Link to this sectionExplicitly tell the municipality that the extract is for abroad and that legalisation or an apostille is requested. Provide the country and your email for eLegalisation. If the Central Criminal Register issues it, include the request in its form. First check whether your destination qualifies for an exemption.
Criminal Code 2026: take care with older guidance
Link to this sectionThe new Criminal Code entered into force on 1 September 2026. FPS Justice limits its older guidance on erasure to earlier acts assessed under the old Code. Have the applicable rules checked for later acts or cases assessed under the new regime. Do not infer that entries in your extract disappear automatically.
Translate the record actually issued
Link to this sectionSend the translator the full extract and attachments with the recipient’s instructions. Ask whether authentication also needs translation. If an entry seems wrong, contact the issuer: a translator cannot delete or correct it on your behalf.
Prepare an extract for an employer abroad #
State the intended use when requesting the extract. For eLegalisation, explicitly tell the issuing service that authentication is needed and name the destination country.
Preparation advice from CertiDocs #
Fictional example: an overseas employer requests a recent extract for work involving minors. You send its request to the municipality to identify the correct model. You then confirm language and formalities before requesting a quote for the complete record.
- Do not choose a model just because it is available online.
- Keep the extract, its authentication and matching translation together.
Prepare the next step
Documents to prepare
- Purpose and destination country
- Required model and language
- Complete extract and any authentication
Steps to follow
Confirm the model
Attach the foreign employer’s or authority’s instructions to your extract request.
Request the translation you need
Send CertiDocs the complete records, requested language, destination country and instructions received.
Good to know
Guides
On the same topic
Other steps to prepare. Apostille, legalisation and foreign documents.
eLegalisation: apostille a Belgian document online
Prepare the online application for a document issued in Belgium.
Belgian sworn translation for use abroad
Prepare formalities for a Belgian translation used abroad.
Criminal record for working in Belgium
Check the criminal record required for your employment procedure.
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
+−Is model 595 suitable for every job?
+−Does a translation replace a recent extract?
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.
CertiDocs analysis: CertiDocs explains the process and helps connect users with a professional. CertiDocs is not a public service and is not affiliated with any authority.