CertiDocsThe practical guide
Original or certified copy for a translation in Belgium
What matters is not owning the most impressive record. It is having the one the authority can genuinely use without doubt or loss of information.
Understand the processCopy for a quote, document for submission
Link to this sectionA readable copy lets you request a quote; it does not establish the format accepted for submission. Ask whether the recipient expects the original, a certified copy, a signed file or sight of the original at an appointment. Keep the issued document separate from your working scan.
Translation does not certify the source copy
Link to this sectionCertification of a translation and authentication of its source are separate operations. Covered public documents circulating between EU states benefit from simplifications for certified copies and apostilles. Check the scope: translating an ordinary photocopy does not turn it into a certified copy.
Preparation advice from CertiDocs
Scan for the quote, original for submission: prepare both stages
Link to this sectionKeep a separate record for the source document and its translation. A quote based on a scan does not establish that the scan will be accepted for submission. Use this preparation grid to obtain a precise answer from the recipient before posting an original unnecessarily.
- Question to adapt: ‘For [procedure], do you accept [source document format] with [translation format]? Must I also present the original at the appointment on [date]?’
| Your situation | What to check | Next step |
|---|---|---|
| Quote request | Are all pages readable, including reverse sides, stamps and relevant attachments? | Specify the number of documents and the recipient so the quote does not cover only the first page. |
| Uploading the application | Does the portal ask for the source, translation or both in separate fields? | Prepare files for the stated fields and ask the issuer to adapt signed PDFs if needed. |
| In-person appointment | Will staff check the source original, a certified copy, the paper translation or several of these? | Confirm the list and whether originals will be returned. Keep a copy for your own records. |
Guides
On the same topic
Other steps to prepare.
Scan quality too low for a document in Belgium
Check sharpness, framing and whether every page is included.
Incomplete foreign document in Belgium
Identify missing pages or attachments before having the document translated.
Handwritten notes: what a Belgian authority reads
Check which handwritten notes need to be legible and translated.
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
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.