Are you arriving from the United States and need to have your American documents recognised for a procedure in Belgium? As your records are in English, the Belgian administration requires a sworn translation into French or Dutch. Here is which documents to translate, how to handle the American apostille and how to build an accepted file.
📖 See also: apostille or legalisation · Hague Convention · immigration to Belgium · sworn translation guide
Which American documents to have translated?
Depending on your procedure (residence, marriage, family reunification, employment, diploma equivalence), the Belgian administration generally requires a sworn translation of your American documents drafted in English. The most common:
- Civil status records: birth certificate, marriage certificate.
- Diplomas and transcripts for an equivalence or a job.
- Criminal background check: state-level or FBI criminal record extract.
- Court judgments and attestations depending on the procedure (divorce, custody, name change).
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American documents to translate for Belgium?
Sworn English-French or English-Dutch translation of your US records. Quote within 1 hour.
The American apostille before the translation
The United States is a member of the Hague Convention, so your documents are authenticated by an apostille rather than by a consular legalisation. A key point: the authority issuing the apostille depends on who issued the document. For a birth certificate, a marriage certificate or a state criminal record, the apostille is issued by the Secretary of State of the relevant state. For a federal document such as the FBI background check, it is issued by the US Department of State in Washington. Our guide apostille or legalisation explains the difference.
The consistency of names, a key point
Check that your surname and first name are spelled identically on all your American documents and on your Belgian papers (passport, residence permit). A divergence, for example a middle name present on one record but absent on another, frequently leads to a rejection. Always indicate to the translator the exact spelling appearing on your identity document.
In summary: US documents in English, sworn translation into French or Dutch, apostille issued by the state (Secretary of State) or at federal level (US Department of State) depending on the issuer, and names consistent with your Belgian papers.
How to proceed
- Gather your recent American documents and confirm the list with the Belgian administration.
- Have each document apostilled by the right authority (Secretary of State or US Department of State).
- Entrust the sworn English-French or English-Dutch translation to a sworn translator.
- Specify the spelling of your name as it appears on your Belgian papers.
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A consistent and accepted American file
Sworn translation of your US records, diplomas and criminal record, with data aligned with your Belgian documents.
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
Does an American document need to be apostilled before translating it?
Often yes. The apostille is obtained from the Secretary of State of the issuing state, or from the US Department of State for a federal document such as the FBI background check. Check the exact order via our apostille or legalisation guide.
Who issues the apostille for an FBI background check?
The FBI background check is a federal document: the apostille is issued by the US Department of State. For a state criminal record, it is the Secretary of State of the relevant state.
Into which language should I translate my documents in Belgium?
Into French or Dutch depending on the region and the recipient service. Ask the administration for the target language before ordering.
My name differs from one record to another, is that a problem?
Yes, a divergent spelling can lead to a rejection. Give the translator the spelling on your passport or Belgian residence permit for a consistent file.
Urgent American procedure to complete?
Express available for your US documents. Sworn translation ready for the Belgian administration.