Are you a member of the Congolese community (DRC) and need to use documents in Belgium? Your records are often in French, but legalisation and sometimes a translation into Dutch are required. Here is how to put together an accepted file.
📖 See also: legalisation DRC - Belgium · translation for asylum · family reunification
Do Congolese documents need to be translated?
DRC records are generally drawn up in French: for a procedure in Wallonia or in Brussels, a translation is often not necessary. Before a Flemish administration, however, a sworn translation into Dutch may be required. The most sensitive step remains the legalisation of the records.
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Congolese documents to use in Belgium?
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Which documents are concerned?
- Civil status records: birth certificate, marriage certificate, certificate of single status.
- Criminal record extract from Congo.
- Diplomas and transcripts for an equivalence or a job.
- Documents for asylum or family reunification.
Good to know: the legalisation of Congolese records can be lengthy. Consult our guide legalisation DRC - Belgium and confirm the target language (French or Dutch) with the administration.
Legalisation: the key step
The DRC does not apply the apostille: documents go through a chain legalisation. The order of the steps and the competent authorities are detailed in our dedicated guide. Always check whether your administration requires legalisation before or after a possible translation.
How to proceed
- Gather your Congolese records and confirm the list with the administration.
- Have the documents legalised according to the applicable procedure.
- Check the target language: translation into Dutch only if required.
- Entrust the sworn translation to a sworn translator if necessary.
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FAQ
Frequently asked questions
Do my Congolese records in French need to be translated?
Not for a French-speaking administration. For a Flemish department, a sworn translation into Dutch may be required. Ask the recipient for the target language.
Does the DRC apply the apostille?
No, Congolese documents go through a legalisation. Consult our DRC - Belgium guide for the exact order of the steps.
And for an asylum application?
The documents and statements related to asylum follow their own logic. See our guide translation for asylum.
Urgent Congolese procedure to wrap up?
Express available. Sworn translation ready for the Belgian administration if required.