Translating a Foreign Birth Certificate in Antwerp

Need to translate a foreign birth certificate in Antwerp? Antwerp's Flemish municipalities (Dienst Burgerzaken) require certified Dutch translations of all foreign birth certificates for civil registration, marriage and naturalisation procedures. This guide explains when a translation is required, which documents to prepare, and how to order a certified translation quickly online.

When is a birth certificate translation required in Antwerp?

A certified Dutch translation of a foreign birth certificate is required in Antwerp for the following procedures:

• Civil registration — registering with the Antwerp Dienst Burgerzaken
• Civil marriage — getting married at an Antwerp municipality
• Naturalisation — filing a Belgian nationality application
• Family reunification — proving parentage for a child or spouse
• Birth registration of a child born abroad
• Inheritance and succession — establishing civil status for notarial procedures

Antwerp is a Flemish city: all administrative procedures are conducted in Dutch. The municipalities of Borgerhout, Berchem, Merksem, Deurne and Ekeren all operate under the same requirement.

Antwerp Dienst Burgerzaken: translation requirements

The Dienst Burgerzaken (civil affairs office) of Antwerp and surrounding Flemish municipalities verifies that each birth certificate is accompanied by:

• A certified Dutch translation produced by a sworn translator
• The translator's signature, official stamp and court registration number
• An apostille on the original document, if required by the country of origin

Languages most frequently translated in Antwerp include Arabic, Turkish, Polish, Romanian, Ukrainian, Moroccan Darija and Berber. TranslateBE covers all these languages with express turnaround.

Step-by-step: how to get your birth certificate translated in Antwerp

1. Scan or photograph your foreign birth certificate (front and back).
2. Upload the document on TranslateBE and specify Dutch as the target language.
3. Receive a fixed quote within one hour; confirm to proceed.
4. Your certified translation arrives by email within 24–48 hours. A physical stamped copy can be posted on request.

The translation is produced by a sworn translator registered with a Belgian Court of Appeal. It includes all certification elements verified by Antwerp's Dienst Burgerzaken.

Frequently asked questions

Do all Antwerp municipalities require a Dutch birth certificate translation?

Yes. All municipalities in the Flemish Region — including the districts of Antwerp city — operate exclusively in Dutch. A certified Dutch translation of any foreign birth certificate is mandatory for any civil registration, marriage or naturalisation procedure.

Does my birth certificate need an apostille before translation?

It depends on your country of origin. Documents from countries that have ratified the Hague Apostille Convention can be apostilled. Some Antwerp municipalities request this, particularly for countries outside the EU. The apostille and the translation are separate — check with Dienst Burgerzaken to confirm what they require for your specific nationality.

How long does a certified birth certificate translation take in Antwerp?

Standard delivery is 2–3 business days. Express delivery within 24 hours is available for most languages and document types. Contact TranslateBE directly for same-day urgent requests.