Do you have French documents to use in Belgium? Good news: between France and Belgium, two EU countries, many formalities are simplified. Here is when a translation is truly necessary, when you can avoid it, and how to handle diplomas and cross-border procedures.
📖 See also: documents to translate for immigration · diploma recognition · apostille and legalisation
Often no apostille or translation between France and Belgium
This is the most important and least known point. The European Regulation 2016/1191 on the circulation of public documents abolishes the apostille between member states for many civil status records (birth, marriage, death). Better still: you can ask the French town hall for a multilingual standard form attached to the record, which serves as a translation aid and often allows you to avoid a sworn translation. Before placing any order, request this form from the town hall: it can save you time and money.
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A French document to use in Belgium?
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When a translation is still necessary
The multilingual form does not cover everything. A sworn translation generally remains required for:
- Diplomas and transcripts: not covered by the regulation, for an equivalence or a job.
- Court judgments and notarial deeds: divorce, inheritance, marriage contract.
- Documents requested in Dutch by a Flemish administration.
- Older records without an available multilingual form.
The linguistic nuance depending on the region
A French document is in French: before an administration in Wallonia or Brussels, no translation is necessary. However, a Flemish administration may require a translation into Dutch, even of a document already in French. Always check the language of the municipality or service concerned.
The reflex to have: first ask the French town hall for the European multilingual form, then confirm with the Belgian administration whether it is satisfied with it or whether it requires a sworn translation (particularly in Flanders).
French diplomas and recognition in Belgium
To pursue studies or practise a profession in Belgium, a French diploma goes through an equivalence procedure. The diploma and the transcript generally have to be translated if they are requested in Dutch. See our guide to diploma recognition and equivalence.
Cross-border workers and procedures
Cross-border workers, families settled on both sides, French-Belgian marriages: the flows between the two countries are intense. Depending on the procedure (residence, pension, family reunification), certain French supporting documents will have to be translated. See our guide to immigration and documents to translate.
How to proceed
- Identify the procedure and the administration (region, language).
- Request the multilingual form from the town hall for civil status records.
- Confirm the need for translation with the Belgian recipient.
- Entrust the sworn translation to a sworn translator if it is required.
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FAQ
Frequently asked questions
Does a French birth certificate have to be translated in Belgium?
Often not if you provide the European multilingual form and the administration is French-speaking. For a Flemish service, a translation into Dutch may be required. Request the form from the town hall and confirm with the recipient.
Does a French document need to be apostilled for Belgium?
No for civil status records between EU states (Regulation 2016/1191). For other documents (diplomas, notarial deeds), check case by case via our guide to apostille and legalisation.
And a French diploma?
It is not covered by the regulation: plan for a translation if it is requested in Dutch, as part of an equivalence. See the guide to diplomas.
My document is already in French, why am I being asked for a translation?
Because the administration is probably Dutch-speaking. In Flanders, a sworn translation into Dutch may be required even for a French document.
Urgent French-Belgian procedure?
Express available for your French documents. Sworn translation ready for the Belgian administration.