Are you a member of the Filipino community and need to have Philippine documents translated for a procedure in Belgium? Here is which records to prepare, why a sworn translation is still required even when your documents are in English, and how to handle the apostille.
📖 See also: apostille or legalisation · Hague Convention · immigration documents · sworn translation guide
Which Philippine documents to have translated?
Depending on your procedure (residence, marriage, family reunification, diploma equivalence), the Belgian administration generally requires a sworn translation of your Philippine records. The most requested:
- PSA birth certificate (Philippine Statistics Authority) and PSA marriage certificate.
- CENOMAR: certificate of no marriage record, your certificate of single status.
- NBI clearance: the Philippine equivalent of the criminal record extract.
- Diplomas and transcripts for an equivalence or a job.
TranslateBE
Philippine documents to translate for Belgium?
Sworn translation of your PSA records, CENOMAR and NBI into French or Dutch. Quote within 1 hour.
My documents are in English: do I still need to translate them?
Yes, in the vast majority of cases. Many PSA documents are issued in English, but English is not an official administrative language in Belgium. The municipal administrations, the Immigration Office or the courts require a sworn translation into French or Dutch depending on the region. The fact that the original is readable in English does not exempt you from this official translation carried out by a sworn translator.
Apostille: the Philippines a member of the Hague Convention
The Philippines is a member of the Hague Convention. Your public documents can therefore be authenticated by an apostille, issued by the Philippine Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), rather than by a full consular legalisation. To clearly distinguish the two procedures, consult our guide apostille or legalisation, and always check with the recipient Belgian authority the exact order of the steps.
In summary: PSA documents often in English, but a sworn translation into French or Dutch required by the Belgian administration. Apostille from the DFA via the Hague Convention. Confirm the list of records and the target language with the recipient service before ordering.
How to proceed
- Gather your recent PSA records (birth, marriage, CENOMAR) and your NBI clearance.
- Have the documents apostilled by the DFA in the Philippines if required.
- Entrust the sworn translation into French or Dutch to a sworn translator.
- Check the consistency of the spelling of your surname and first name with your Belgian papers.
TranslateBE · Certified Agency
A consistent and accepted Philippine file
Sworn translation of your PSA records, CENOMAR, NBI and diplomas, ready for the Belgian administration.
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
My PSA documents are in English, do I still need to have them translated?
Yes, most often. English is not an official administrative language in Belgium: a sworn translation into French or Dutch is required. See our sworn translation guide.
How do I authenticate a Philippine document for Belgium?
The Philippines applies the apostille via the Department of Foreign Affairs. For the difference with legalisation, see apostille or legalisation and the Hague Convention.
What is the CENOMAR?
The CENOMAR (certificate of no marriage record) is the Philippine certificate attesting that no marriage is registered. It is often requested for a marriage or a family reunification in Belgium.
Into which language should I translate in Belgium?
Into French or Dutch depending on the region and the service. Confirm the target language with the administration before ordering, as explained in our immigration guide.
Urgent Philippine procedure to complete?
Express available for your PSA records and NBI. Sworn translation ready for the Belgian administration.