A British diploma, an American contract, an Irish birth certificate or the articles of an Indian company: as soon as an English document has to be submitted to a Belgian authority, a simple translation is not enough. You need a sworn English translator in Belgium - that is, a sworn translator listed in the National Register (RNEJ/NRBVT) and recognised by a Belgian Court of Appeal. Here is when this kind of translation is required, in which languages, and how to obtain it quickly anywhere in the country.
📖 See also : Complete guide to sworn translation · Definition of sworn translation · Check a sworn translator in the RNEJ
What is a sworn English translator?
A sworn translator is a professional who has taken an oath before a Belgian Court of Appeal and who is listed in the National Register of judicial experts and sworn translators, interpreters and translator-interpreters (RNEJ). For the English combination, this is a translator whose skills in English and in French or Dutch have been officially recognised. Their signature, stamp and identification number give the translation legal value: the translated document is deemed faithful and true to the original.
In practice, a sworn English translation is delivered with a certification statement, the handwritten or electronic signature of the sworn translator and, in most cases, a copy of the original attached to the translation. That is what sets it apart from a courtesy translation, which no authority accepts for an official document. You can always check a translator's registration in the RNEJ before placing an order.
Why English is the most requested combination
English has become the reference language of business, research and international mobility. Belgium - and Brussels in particular, the capital of Europe - is home to a vast English-speaking community, the headquarters of multinationals and thousands of expatriates. As a result, a large share of the foreign documents submitted to Belgian municipalities, courts, universities and notaries are written in English and must be translated by a sworn translator.
These documents come from a wide range of countries: United Kingdom, United States, Canada, Ireland, India, Australia, Nigeria, South Africa and many others. Since Brexit, UK public documents (civil-status records, criminal records, diplomas) no longer benefit from free movement within the EU: they generally need an apostille from the United Kingdom and must be accompanied by a sworn translation to be valid in Belgium. To understand the difference between these steps, read apostille or legalisation in Belgium and the Hague Convention on the apostille.
English documents most often translated
- Diplomas and transcripts : universities in the United Kingdom, the United States or the Commonwealth, for a NARIC recognition/equivalence in the French or Flemish Community
- Company articles and contracts : business incorporation, branch opening, commercial contracts for American or British companies setting up in Brussels or Flanders
- Civil-status records : marriage, birth or divorce certificates issued abroad, required by the municipality for a marriage, legal cohabitation or registration
- Criminal record : UK DBS certificate or foreign equivalent, requested for a job, a residence regularisation or a naturalisation
- Driving licence : conversion of a foreign English-language licence at the municipality or region
- Medical and insurance documents : reports, certificates and attestations for English-speaking expatriates
Applicants are both private individuals (expatriates, international students, bi-national couples) and companies (business law firms, multinationals based in Brussels, start-ups in an internationalisation phase).
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English document to be translated? Quote in 1h
Sworn English-French and English-Dutch translators, recognised by a Belgian Court of Appeal and listed in the RNEJ. Diplomas, contracts, civil-status records, criminal records.
English into French or into Dutch: which combination to choose?
In Belgium, the language of the translation depends on the region where the document will be submitted. This is a key rule: an authority generally only accepts documents written in its official language.
- English into French : for authorities, courts, municipalities and universities in Wallonia and the French-speaking part of Brussels
- English into Dutch : for Flanders (Antwerp, Ghent, Bruges, Hasselt, Leuven) and the Dutch-speaking services of Brussels
- Bilingual Brussels region : depending on the service concerned and the language of the procedure; if in doubt, ask the counter which language is required
The combination also works the other way round. If you have to submit a Belgian document abroad - in an English-speaking country or to an international institution - you will need a sworn translation from French or Dutch into English. In that case, also check whether the Belgian document needs an apostille before translation. Because the rules vary depending on the destination country and authority, always confirm the exact requirements with the body requesting the document.
How TranslateBE delivers your sworn English translation
Our role is to simplify a process that is often seen as complicated. You send us your document, we identify the sworn English translator suited to your region and your type of document, and we deliver a translation you can use directly.
- Free quote within 1 hour : send a photo or a scan, we assess the volume and reply quickly with a clear price
- Sworn translators listed in the RNEJ : English-French and English-Dutch combinations, recognised by a Belgian Court of Appeal
- Delivery of the certified PDF + original : signed and stamped translation, together with the copy of your source document
- Accepted throughout Belgium : municipalities, courts, notaries, universities, federal public services
- Fast turnaround, express available : most standard documents are processed within a few days, urgent cases possible
Depending on your needs, we can also point you to the right complementary step: apostille, legalisation, or hiring an English interpreter in Belgium for a notarial appointment or a hearing. To get an idea of price ranges, see our sworn translation rates, and to find out who is authorised to certify, read who can make a sworn translation in Belgium.
A sworn English translator in your city
Whatever your region, we cover the main cities in the country: Brussels, Antwerp, Ghent, Liège, Charleroi and Namur.
TranslateBE · Certified Agency
Sworn English translator in Belgium
English-French or English-Dutch, sworn translators RNEJ recognised throughout the country. Certified PDF + original delivered, free quote in 1h.
In summary
- A sworn English translator is a sworn translator listed in the RNEJ and recognised by a Belgian Court of Appeal.
- English-language documents (UK, USA, Canada, Ireland, India, etc.) must be translated by a sworn translator to be accepted by the authorities.
- English into French for Wallonia and French-speaking Brussels; English into Dutch for Flanders.
- Post-Brexit UK documents: often apostille + sworn translation.
- TranslateBE delivers a certified PDF + original accepted anywhere in Belgium, with a quote in 1h.
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
Does my British or American diploma have to be translated by a sworn translator to be recognised in Belgium?
Yes, in almost all cases. For an equivalence recognition (NARIC in the French Community, NARIC-Vlaanderen in Flanders) or enrolment in a Belgian university, the diploma and transcript written in English must be accompanied by a sworn translation into French or Dutch. Some British documents must also be apostilled. Always check the exact requirements with the recognition body or the institution concerned.
Do I need an apostille on an English document before the sworn translation?
Often, yes, especially for UK public documents since Brexit (civil-status records, criminal records, some diplomas). The apostille is obtained in the country of origin and authenticates the document before translation. The sworn translation then also covers the apostille. Because the rules depend on the issuing country and the Belgian destination authority, confirm the procedure before starting the translation.
Should I have my English document translated into French or into Dutch?
It depends on the region where you submit the document. For an authority in Wallonia or a French-speaking service in Brussels, choose English into French. For Flanders or a Dutch-speaking service, choose English into Dutch. In Brussels, it depends on the service and the language of the procedure. If in doubt, ask the relevant counter which language is required before placing your order.
How long does it take to obtain a sworn English translation?
English is our best-covered combination. Most standard documents (civil-status record, diploma, criminal record) are processed within a few working days. For urgent files, express delivery is possible. Send us your document for a free quote and an exact turnaround within one hour.