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CertiDocsThe practical guide

Refugee or stateless person: getting a birth certificate

Do not order a translation of a document your status prevents you from obtaining. First check whether the CGRS Helpdesk can issue an appropriate Belgian certificate.

Understand the process
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When the CGRS may issue a birth certificate

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A recognised refugee who cannot obtain a birth record from the country of birth may request a certificate from the Helpdesk. The request is assessed according to status and available file information.

Documents for a recognised stateless person

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The CGRS states that a stateless person recognised by the family court may request birth, marriage, widowhood or divorce certificates and a civil-status declaration. These documents are issued free of charge.

When a sworn translation is still useful

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If an existing foreign record must be shown to the CGRS or another authority, its language may require a sworn translation. But do not translate a replacement document by reflex before knowing which version the authority will issue or accept.

Documents to prepare

  • Decision or proof of status
  • Belgian residence permit
  • Exact certificate requested
  • Current CGRS form

Steps to follow

  1. Identify the status

    Distinguish recognised refugee, recognised stateless person and subsidiary protection: the routes are not interchangeable.

  2. Choose the certificate

    Identify the birth, marriage, divorce or other civil-status certificate actually required.

  3. Use the official form

    Complete the Helpdesk request and attach the required residence-permit copy.

  4. Confirm the final use

    Ask the municipality or receiving authority whether translation or another formality is still required.

Good to know

Guides

On the same topic

Other steps to prepare. Apostille, legalisation and foreign documents.

Recognised refugee: legalisation exemption in Belgium

The CGRS can confirm a legalisation exemption for certain civil-status documents of a recognised refugee. Documents, sworn translation and limits.

Subsidiary protection and civil-status documents

Check how to obtain civil records under subsidiary protection.

Foreign document: apostille or translation in Belgium

Distinguish formalities for a foreign document from those for its translation.

Guides

Guides related to your documents and circumstances.

Residence permit for a renewal in Belgium

How to make a residence permit readable for a renewal in Belgium: actual status, useful dates, decisive annotations and sworn translation if needed.

English to French birth certificate translation in Belgium

Translate an English birth certificate into French for Belgium: full version, marginal annotations, stable identity and useful sworn translation.

Moroccan birth certificate for family reunification in Belgium

Prepare the Moroccan birth certificate for the family application.

For your application

Apostille, legalisation and foreign documents

The right order for authentication, eLegalisation and sworn translation, including for refugees, stateless persons and companies.

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Frequently asked questions

+Can the CGRS replace an unavailable birth record?
The CGRS may issue a birth certificate to a recognised refugee unable to obtain the record from the country of birth, subject to file assessment.
+Are CGRS certificates charged?
The CGRS states that it issues the listed documents free of charge to recognised refugees and recognised stateless persons.
+Can a person under subsidiary protection use the same Helpdesk?
Not for civil-status documents under the same procedure. The CGRS points to a separate route that must be checked for the individual situation.
+Must the CGRS certificate be translated?
That depends on the certificate language and receiving authority. Confirm this before ordering a translation.

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 sourceCGRS - Documents for recognised refugees and stateless personsOfficial sourceCGRS - Contact and documents under subsidiary protectionOfficial sourceCGRS - Guide for recognised refugees in Belgium

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