Status and period
Validity, residence category or employment period need to be readable without interpretation.
Document
Sworn Translation of a residence permit
2175
registered sworn translators
130
languages and variants
This page brings together the useful information for requesting a certified translation of a residence permit in Belgium. The permit number, residence category and validity period must stay readable and exact.
What makes this translation valid under Belgian law
- Since 1 December 2022, the electronic signature has replaced the sworn translator’s physical stamp. The translation must also meet the wording and signature requirements of Article 555/11, § 4 of the Judicial Code; specific procedures cover exceptions.
- A translation prepared by a registered translator must carry their VTI identification number.
- For use in Belgium, a registered translator electronically legalises their translation for authorised language combinations, with all required details. If electronic signing is unavailable, or a court appoints someone outside the register under Article 555/15, legalisation goes through FPS Justice.
- The FPS Justice public register lets you check a registered translator’s name, VTI and authorised languages. Court appointment outside the register under Article 555/15 is a regulated exception.
Document
What to check before translation
Before requesting a translation, compare names and dates with your other documents. Specify the recipient, the required language and any attachments, stamps or handwritten notes.
Who may request this translation?
municipalities, the Immigration Office, some employers and residence administrations
Typical turnaround
In practice, expect 24 hours to 5 business days for the translation, plus the authority's own processing time.
Indicative pricing
From €60 per standard document, both sides included excluding VAT; volume and any surcharges confirmed before payment.
Most requested language pairs
Arabic → French, Turkish → French, English → French
What to send from the start
When these items are clear from the start, you usually save days.
- Send both sides or the full version of the record.
- Keep dates, job title, employer or residence category visible.
- Flag the other related records already available in the file.
Who may request this translation?
Depending on the procedure, a sworn translation of this document may be requested by municipalities, the Immigration Office, some employers and residence administrations. Confirm the requirement with the recipient before ordering.
Legal framework
A residence permit is often read together with other records: passport, annexes, contract, employer certificate or proof of residence. The translation must therefore preserve card references, categories and dates exactly.
What the authority will actually check
These are the points on which a file usually stands or falls officially.
Link with the other records
Passport, contract, municipal paper or other related proof needs to tell the same story.
Complete version
Front and back, stamps and the issuing authority often matter just as much as the main text.
Step-by-step procedure
- 1
Send the full document
Front, back, mentions, validity dates and internal references must remain visible.
- 2
Clarify the target procedure
Specify whether this is for residence, employment, family reunification or an administrative review.
- 3
Translate the administrative mentions
Residence categories, job details, dates and references must stay verifiable as they are.
- 4
Attach the related records
Add the passport, contract, payslips or other supporting evidence when the authority requests them alongside the translation.
Typical turnaround
In practice, expect 24 hours to 5 business days for the translation, plus the authority's own processing time.
Indicative pricing
From €60 per standard document, both sides included excluding VAT; volume and any surcharges confirmed before payment.
Describe your need
We frame your request
Targeted matching
Translation and delivery
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 Justice - National register of sworn translators and interpretersOpen the official sourceOfficial sourceFPS Justice - Legalisation of sworn translationsOpen the official source
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.
Guides
Guides for this document
Check the documents, language and formalities before your request.
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Frequently asked questions
+−Is a sworn translation of “residence permit” always required?
No. It depends on the language, procedure, issuing country and receiving authority. An exemption or multilingual form may sometimes be enough. Confirm the requirement before paying.
+−Does a sworn translation guarantee acceptance of “residence permit”?
No. It certifies the translation’s conformity but does not fix the wrong record, an insufficiently recent date or missing authentication, apostille or legalisation. The receiving authority decides.
+−What information should I provide for a residence permit?
The most useful details are the source language, target language and the context in which the document will be used.
+−How do I start a request for a residence permit?
You can describe your need directly on the site to be routed to a sworn translator.