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CertiDocsThe practical guide

Belgian medical certificate: legalisation and translation

A certificate signed by your Belgian doctor may need specific authentication for use abroad. Prepare the required language version too.

Understand the process
Last updated Editorial lead : CertiDocs Team4 sources

Who authenticates the Belgian record?

Link to this section

For a medical record issued by a doctor, Foreign Affairs specifies prior authentication by FPS Public Health. That service then issues a certificate forwarded directly through eLegalisation. First confirm the formalities required for your destination.

Official sourceFPS Foreign Affairs - Prior authentication by the Belgian authority

Prepare the certificate before translation

Link to this section

Check the patient’s name, date, pages and signature on the version received. Ask the issuing doctor to correct any error or missing field. The translator conveys the document’s content and does not add medical findings.

Official sourceFPS Justice - Required details, signatures and legalisation of translations

Translate the certificate and final endorsements

Link to this section

Confirm the language, sworn status and accepted format. If authentication endorsements also need translation, gather them with the certificate before ordering. Keep the originally signed file and send readable copies of all required pages.

Official sourceFPS Justice - Required details, signatures and legalisation of translationsFPS Foreign Affairs - Legalisation and apostille of documents

Translate the final medical certificate #

If authentication for abroad is required, identify the Public Health step before finalising the records to translate.

Official sourceFPS Foreign Affairs - Prior authentication by the Belgian authorityEUR-Lex - GDPR Article 9 on health data
Check certificate → Required authentication → Final translation
CertiDocs preparation diagram: confirm the requirements with the recipient.

Preparation advice from CertiDocs #

Fictional example: your certificate is signed but a date is incorrect. You ask the doctor for a new version, then confirm the destination’s formalities. Send that version and required endorsements to the translator rather than two conflicting certificates.

  • Keep the original and version history without mixing versions in your submission.
  • Limit health records to those needed for the application.

Prepare the next step

Documents to prepare

  • Template, purpose and destination country
  • Signed certificate and any authentication
  • Language instruction and required pages

Steps to follow

  1. Obtain the foreign recipient’s instructions

    Confirm the template, deadline and language before requesting the certificate.

  2. Check authentication

    Identify the required document formalities with the responsible service.

  3. Prepare the translation quote

    Send CertiDocs the complete record, recipient’s instructions, requested language and deadline.

Good to know

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

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Frequently asked questions

+Is this also the procedure for a Belgian visa?
This guide concerns a Belgian certificate presented abroad. For a certificate for a Belgian visa or residence application, consult the Belgian post’s instructions and our residence medical certificate guide.
+Must I include my entire medical history?
Start from the recipient’s list. Select the necessary records and keep each selected record complete and readable, with requested attachments. Avoid sending other health information with no purpose in the application.

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.

Official sourceFPS Foreign Affairs - Prior authentication by the Belgian authorityOfficial sourceFPS Justice - Required details, signatures and legalisation of translationsOfficial sourceFPS Foreign Affairs - Legalisation and apostille of documentsOfficial sourceEUR-Lex - GDPR Article 9 on health data

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