A birth certificate is a civil status record. It is entered electronically into the Civil Status Records Database (BAEC). Like all civil status records, birth certificates can be consulted on the Just-on-web website. On this page, we specifically address birth certificates as part of the Single Digital Gateway procedure.
According to Article 6 of the former Civil Code, the main objectives of [registering] civil status are:
- to record the facts and legal acts that establish or change someone’s personal status;
- to ensure legal certainty relating to someone’s personal status;
- to provide proof of personal status, by means of civil status records, and to carefully maintain that proof.
Personal status comprises all the qualities of a person that define their legal situation in relation to their family and to society, and that distinguish them from others with regard to the possession and exercise of certain rights.
What legal value does a birth certificate have?
The birth certificate is an official record (Article 14 of the former Civil Code). It is legally valid as long as it is not registered as a forgery (Article 24 of the former Civil Code).
The information contained in the birth certificate has a greater legal value than the information contained in the National Register.
What information does the birth certificate contain?
Article 44 of the former Civil Code lays down the particulars contained in the birth certificate:
- The date, place and time of the birth, the sex, surname and forenames of the child, or, where there has been no declaration of birth or in the case of a birth certificate of an abandoned child, the details available at the time of drawing up the certificate.
- The surname, forenames, date and place of birth of the mother and father, if paternity has been established, or of the co-parent (co-mother), if her parentage has been established.
- Where applicable, the document number of the declaration of prenatal recognition, or recognition by the father or co-parent, indicating:
- the required consent;
- the surname and forenames of the child’s legal guardian where they have consented to the recognition;
- the date, place and authority in which consent was given, or the judicial authority, the date and identification number of the final judicial decision in which consent was established.
In addition, according to Article 41 of the former Civil Code, civil status documents always mention:
- the surname, first name and signature of the civil registrar or official who drew up the document,
- the date on which the document was drawn up,
- the place where the document was drawn up,
- the document number,
- where applicable, a reference to the legal basis for the document.
How can I access my birth certificate?
Article 29 of the former Civil Code determines who may have access to copies and extracts of civil status records. Persons entitled to an extract or copy of the birth certificate: the person to whom the certificate relates, their spouse, their legal cohabitant, their legal guardian, any relatives in the ascending line or direct descendants, heirs, their notary and their lawyer.
Anyone wishing to obtain a copy or extract of a birth certificate may contact any municipality in Belgium or visit the Just-on-web website and sign in using their electronic identity card (eID), ItsMe or with an electronic identification means recognized at European level. This procedure is free of charge.
The Just-on-web.be website is available in French, Dutch, German and English. Extracts from civil status records are also available in French, Dutch and German. In addition, multilingual extracts may be issued in ICCS format 16 or 34. Extracts may also be issued with translation assistance, pursuant to Article 7 of Regulation (EU) 2016/1191 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 6 July 2016 on promoting the free movement of citizens by simplifying the requirements for presenting certain public documents in the European Union and amending Regulation (EU) No 1024/2012. This form consists of two extracts: one in the original language of the document and the other in the language chosen by the recipient. A sworn translation (i.e. carried out by a translator who has taken sworn before the court) is not required for the use of this type of extract within the European Union.
Responsible authority
If you have any question about the procedure, please contact the civil registrar in your municipality.
Legal requirements
FPS Justice
115 boulevard de Waterloo
1000 Brussels
+32 2 542 65 11
Published on December 12th 2020