Related documents
Birth certificate, Marriage certificate, Court judgment, Diploma, Criminal record extract, Residence permit
Belgian naturalisation: documents and translations
Becoming Belgian requires a complete file: birth certificate, criminal record, diplomas and proof of residence. Several of these documents must be translated by a sworn translator and apostilled.
€150 + translation5–8 monthsComplex
Last reviewed: 12 April 2026Editorial review: Equipe CertiDocsOfficial sources: 4
Overview
What this guide helps you sort out
Becoming Belgian requires a complete file: birth certificate, criminal record, diplomas and proof of residence. Several of these documents must be translated by a sworn translator and apostilled.
Steps
4
Documents
6
Official sources
4
What frames this file straight away
Before you even follow the procedure step by step, these are usually the axes that matter.
Common translations
Arabic-French, Turkish-French, Romanian-French, Russian-French, Polish-French
Related cities
Brussels, Antwerp, Liège
What the authority will really test here
In this kind of file, the blockage usually comes from proof, sequencing and consistency, not polished wording.
Records that need to line up
This procedure is usually read through Birth certificate, Marriage certificate, Court judgment. Names, dates and references need to stay aligned from one record to the next.
Which official reading matters
Brussels, Antwerp will compare the source record with Arabic-French, Turkish-French and wants the issuing authority, date and registry references to be easy to spot.
Order of formalities
The 4 official sources mainly help keep the sequence sharp: recent record first, any apostille or legalisation next, then the right filing step.
How to build this file more intelligently
Before you order anything or file the case, these are the three small choices that usually make the difference.
What needs to be stable first
Lock down Birth certificate, Marriage certificate, Court judgment first, then recheck names, dates and references across the surrounding records.
The order that avoids duplicate work
Correct source version first, then any apostille or legalisation, only then the sworn translation and the filing step.
What almost everyone forgets
Arabic-French, Turkish-French and the annexes around Birth certificate, Marriage certificate, Court judgment are often exactly what Brussels, Antwerp needs to reread the file without doubt.
Naturalisation or declaration of nationality?
In Belgium, there are two main paths to becoming Belgian: the declaration of nationality (article 12bis of the Belgian Nationality Code) and naturalisation by the House of Representatives (article 19). The declaration is the most common procedure: it is intended for foreigners legally residing in Belgium for at least 5 years (or 10 years depending on the situation) who meet social and economic integration conditions. Parliamentary naturalisation is reserved for exceptional merits. In both cases, a complete file of translated and authenticated documents is essential.
Which documents need translation?
The nationality file requires several documents that must be translated by a sworn translator registered with the FPS Justice: the birth certificate (full copy), marriage certificate if applicable, criminal record from the country of origin and Belgium, diploma or proof of participation in an integration programme, and any foreign judgment (divorce, adoption). The Hague apostille is required for documents from signatory countries; consular legalisation is necessary for other countries.
Documents to prepare
- Translated and apostilled birth certificate
- Criminal record extract (country of origin + Belgium)
- Proof of minimum 5 years legal residence
- Proof of social integration (diploma, work, training)
- Proof of language knowledge (A2 level)
- Completed nationality declaration form
Steps to follow
1
Determine the access route
Check whether you meet the conditions for the declaration of nationality (5 years of legal residence, social integration, language proficiency) or whether you need to go through parliamentary naturalisation.
2
Gather and apostille documents
Obtain your civil status certificates (birth, marriage), criminal record from your country of origin and diplomas. Have them apostilled in the issuing country or legalised at the Belgian consulate.
3
Have documents translated by a sworn translator
All documents written in a language other than French or Dutch must be translated by a Belgian sworn translator. Expect 3 to 5 documents to be translated for a typical file.
4
Submit the file at the municipality
Submit your complete file at the population service of your municipality. The civil registrar will forward your application to the public prosecutor who has 4 months to issue an opinion.
Good to know
A2 level is enough
A2 level in one of the national languages is sufficient for the nationality declaration. Alternatively, 5 years of work in Belgium exempts from the language requirement.
Prosecution: 4 months = granted
If the prosecution does not render an opinion within 4 months of your application, it is considered granted by default.
Affidavit if impossible
If you cannot obtain certain documents from your country of origin (war, archive destruction), an affidavit established by a Belgian court can replace them.
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Common translations
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Get matchedFrequently asked questions
+−What is the difference between naturalisation and declaration of nationality?
The declaration of nationality (article 12bis) is the standard route for long-term residents meeting legal conditions. Naturalisation (article 19) is a favour granted by the House of Representatives for exceptional merits. The vast majority of applications go through the declaration.
+−Which documents need sworn translation?
All documents written in a language other than French or Dutch: birth certificate, marriage certificate, foreign criminal record, diplomas and any foreign judgment. Each translation must be done by a sworn translator registered with the FPS Justice.
+−Does the birth certificate need an apostille?
Yes, if your birth certificate comes from a Hague Convention signatory country, it must be apostilled in the issuing country. For non-signatory countries, Belgian consular legalisation is required. The apostille must be obtained before the translation.
+−How long does it take to obtain Belgian nationality?
After submitting the complete file, the public prosecutor has 4 months to issue an opinion. If no negative opinion is issued within this period, nationality is acquired. In total, expect 5 to 8 months between submission and registration.
+−Can I become Belgian without speaking perfect French?
The law requires A2 level language proficiency (elementary level) of the European Framework in one of the three national languages. This level can be proven by a diploma, a language course certificate or 5 years of work in Belgium.
+−What if a document is impossible to obtain (country at war)?
If a document is impossible to obtain due to conflict or the absence of administration in the country of origin, you can request an affidavit of notoriety from the family court. The judge issues a replacement document based on testimonies and indirect evidence.
Official sources
The links below provide the official baseline. They help verify the procedure but do not replace file-specific analysis or the decision of the competent authority.
Guides
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Read the guideBelgian nationality as the parent of a Belgian child
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