Registry

4. Marriage

If you are Belgian, all changes to your civil status are governed by Belgian law. Belgian law applies even if you live abroad.

If you live abroad, you must inform your local Belgian embassy or consulate of all changes to your civil status.

Getting married abroad or in Belgium

If you wish to get married in Belgium you should contact the registrar in the municipality where you live.

If you wish to get married abroad, you should contact the authority abroad that will officiate at your wedding.

Which law applies?

For both partners, marriage is basically governed by the law of the country of which he/she is a citizen at the time when marriage is contracted.

If you are a Belgian citizen and you wish to get married abroad, the fundamental aspects of your marriage will be governed by Belgian law. In practical terms, this means that the marriage will only be valid if you are permitted to marry under Belgian law. This basically means that you must be at least 18 years of age, that you are not (or no longer) married and that you consent to the marriage.

The law of the country of which your future spouse is a citizen, determines the basic requirements he/she has to meet in order to contract marriage.

The general formalities for officiating at a wedding are determined by the law of the country where the ceremony takes place.

In Belgium, your marriage will only be considered legally valid if the fundamental as wel as the formal requirements are met.

What documents do I need to submit?

In order to know which documents you need to submit for contracting marriage abroad, it is recommended to contact in Belgium the diplomatic representation of the country you wish to get married in.

Your future spouse also can ask information at the local authority who will marry you.

In some countries, local authorities request a certificate of no impediment. The aforementioned certificate is issued by the Belgian embassy or consulate to which you submit your birth certificate and an extract from the population register mentioning your adress, your nationality and your civil status.

These documents issued by the Belgian public authorities must be submitted to the Belgian embassy or consulate and not to the local authorities. They do not need legalising. They are original copies issued less than 6 months before.

It is strongly recommended to contact the embassy or the consulate before you leave.

In some countries, local authorities request an affidavit of law outlining the provisions for marriage contained in the Belgian Civil Code. You can obtain this certificate from Federal Public Service Justice, Direction générale de la législation et des Libertés et Droits fondamentaux, Service Droit de la Famille, Boulevard de Waterloo 115, B-1000 Brussels (Tel. +32 (0) 2 542 65 11 website www.just.fgov.be, E-mail: info@just.fgov.be ).
In some countries, authorities may request additional documents such as a certificate of good conduct or a medical certificate.

Does a marriage certificate have to be entered into the Belgian registers?

Your marriage certificate can be entered into the Belgian registers. Further information is available under Registration certificates.

Can we obtain a marriage certificate in the form of a family record book if we get married abroad?

Further information is available under Registration certificates.

Can my partner move to Belgium?

Further information is available under Visa for Belgium.

Will my partner obtain Belgian nationality upon marriage?

Marriage to a Belgian national does not have a direct influence on the nationality of a partner of another nationality. However, he or she may request Belgian nationality after the marriage has taken place.

Further information can also be obtained by contacting:

- Federal Public Service Foreign Affairs, Registry Department (Droit de la famille et état civil)
- The embassy or consulate in your main place of residence abroad