Certified translation services in Belgium: sworn and officially recognised document translation

Certified translation — also called sworn translation or official translation — is required when a document in a foreign language must be accepted by a Belgian authority, court, notary, university or consulate, or when a Belgian document must be presented to a foreign institution that requires legal assurance of accuracy.

In Belgium, a certified translation carries the signature, stamp and certification statement of a translator registered with one of the five courts of appeal (Antwerp, Brussels, Ghent, Liège, Mons). The translator bears personal legal responsibility for the accuracy of the certified version. BeTranslated coordinates sworn translations with court-registered translators for all standard language combinations.

When certified translation is required

• Birth, marriage and divorce certificates for Belgian civil registration
• Criminal record extracts for immigration or employment procedures
• Academic diplomas for Belgian NARIC recognition
• Powers of attorney for notarial acts
• Wills and succession documents for cross-border estate administration
• Immigration documents for the Immigration Office (DVZ/OE)
• Company statutes and commercial register extracts for business registration