Planning a civil wedding in Antwerp with a foreign partner? The municipality of Antwerp (Stad Antwerpen) requires a certificate of civil status - known as a certificate of celibacy or certificate of capacity to marry - from the foreign spouse, translated into Dutch by a Belgian sworn translator. Here is everything you need to know to prepare your file.
What is the certificate of celibacy (or capacity to marry)?
The certificate of celibacy is an official document issued by the authorities of your country of origin, confirming that you are not currently married and are free to enter into a new marriage. Depending on the country, this document may be known by different names:
- Morocco: certificat de célibat (شهادة العزوبية) or birth certificate with marital status information
- Turkey: bekarlık belgesi
- Algeria: certificat de célibat issued by the municipality or civil registry
- Philippines: CENOMAR (Certificate of No Marriage Record) issued by the PSA
- Netherlands: uittreksel basisregistratie personen
- France: certificat de coutume or certificat de non-empêchement
What the municipality of Antwerp requires before the wedding
When planning a civil marriage at the Antwerp city hall (Stadhuis), you must submit your complete dossier to the civil registrar. This dossier includes:
- Birth certificates of both future spouses
- Identity documents (passport, identity card)
- Certificate of celibacy or capacity to marry from the foreign partner
- Proof of residence (for Antwerp residents)
- If applicable: divorce judgment or death certificate of a previous spouse
All foreign documents must be accompanied by a sworn Dutch translation produced by a translator registered with the Belgian FPS Justice. The municipality of Antwerp will not accept documents in a foreign language without a certified translation.
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Country-by-country requirements
| Country of origin | Document required | Apostille / Legalisation |
|---|---|---|
| Morocco | Certificate of celibacy + birth certificate | Legalisation at Belgian consulate |
| Turkey | Bekarlık belgesi + nüfus cüzdanı | Apostille (Hague Convention signatory) |
| Algeria | Certificate of celibacy + birth certificate extract | Legalisation at Belgian consulate |
| Philippines | CENOMAR (PSA) | Apostille (Hague Convention signatory) |
| France | Certificat de non-empêchement | No apostille required (EU) |
Special cases: previous marriage and divorce
If either future spouse has previously been married, they must prove that the previous marriage has been dissolved. In Antwerp, the municipality will require:
- Foreign divorce judgment: must be translated and, in certain cases, recognised by a Belgian court or under the Brussels II bis Regulation (for EU divorces)
- Death certificate of a previous spouse: must be translated and apostilled or legalised
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
Can the Antwerp municipality refuse to celebrate our marriage if the translation is not sworn?
Yes. The civil registrar in Antwerp is legally required to verify that all foreign documents are accompanied by a proper sworn translation into Dutch. An unofficial translation - whether from Google Translate or a bilingual friend - will not be accepted. The dossier will be put on hold until all documents are correctly translated by a registered sworn translator.
How long does it take to get a certificate of celibacy translated in Antwerp?
For most languages, our standard turnaround is 24 to 48 hours after receiving your document. Express 12h service is available for urgent wedding timelines. Everything is handled online - send your scan and receive your certified Dutch translation by email without needing to travel to Antwerp.
Does the certificate of celibacy have an expiry date?
Yes. In most countries, the certificate of celibacy has a limited validity period, typically 3 to 6 months. Obtain it as close as possible to your appointment at the Antwerp city hall. The municipality will check the date of issue and may refuse a document that is too old. The sworn translation itself does not expire, but if you need a new certificate, a new translation will also be required.
What if my country does not issue a certificate of celibacy?
Some countries do not issue a formal certificate of celibacy. In that case, it may be possible to provide a sworn declaration certified by your country's embassy or consulate in Belgium, or a certificate of custom (certificat de coutume) establishing that your home country's law does not provide for such a document. The municipality of Antwerp will guide you on the procedure for your specific situation.
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