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Flag of Belgium Apostille Convention member (effective 1976-02-09)

Belgium Document Authentication Guide

Submitting Korean documents to Belgium?
Check which documents you need, where to issue them, the translation/notarization/apostille process, and official Belgian agency information.

Quick summary — Convention took effect in 1976; since May 2018, only an electronic apostille (e-apostille) is issued (paper apostilles discontinued). Individuals cannot apply directly and must go through a notary or municipality.

HCCH official status — Ratification deposited 1975-12-11 · entry into force 1976-02-09 · Applies with Korea: yes (no objection by Korea). HCCH Apostille Convention status table (checked 2026-10-03)

Which documents are you submitting to Belgium?

Click a document to see the issuing agency, whether online issuance is available, and authentication notes. Only links marked Official are official government, court, or public-institution sites.

Family & Personal

Family Relation Certificate · Basic Certificate · Marriage Relation Certificate

Issuing Agency — Korean courts (city/district/town office handling family registration)

Electronic Family Relation Registration System (Official) ・ Gov24 (Official)

Education & Career

Degree Certificate · Certificate of Criminal Record

Issuing Agency — The school attended/graduated from (Degree Certificate) / National Police Agency (Certificate of Criminal Record)

Gov24 (Official)

Corporate & Business

Certificate of Corporate Registration · Business Registration Certificate

Issuing Agency — Registry Office (Certificate of Corporate Registration) / National Tax Service (Business Registration Certificate)

Official agency names/URLs are current as of the time of writing and may change.

Authentication Process for Submission to Belgium

How do you prepare Korean documents for submission to Belgium? The basic flow is as follows.

① Obtain Documents→ ② Notarize (if private document)→ ③ Confirm whether a Dutch/French/German translation is required→ ④ Apostille→ ⑤ Submit to the receiving institution in Belgium
Since the Convention took effect in 1976, Belgium uses a single apostille procedure. No separate consular authentication or embassy legalization is required.

Belgium Guide by Purpose

Required documents vary by receiving institution and situation — the below is a representative reference list, not a definitive guide.

International Marriage

Marriage Relation Certificate and Family Relation Certificate are confirmed to be used in many actual cases.

Employment / Expat Assignment

Certificate of Criminal Record and diploma certificates are confirmed to be used in many actual cases.

Study Abroad

Degree Certificate and Transcript may be used, but the exact list needs confirmation.

Business & Corporate

Certificate of Corporate Registration and Business Registration Certificate may be used, but the exact list needs confirmation.

We do not assert that submission to Belgium always requires a specific fixed set of documents. The exact required documents vary by receiving institution, so please confirm directly with that institution.

Documents Issued in Belgium for Submission in Korea

If you are submitting a document issued in Belgium to a Korean institution, it must first go through the relevant Belgium issuing agency.

FPS Foreign Affairs Legalisation Service

Apostilles for Belgian documents are issued centrally by the FPS Foreign Affairs Legalisation Service.

Electronic Apostille Only Since 2018

As of May 1, 2018, paper apostille issuance was discontinued and only electronic apostilles are issued. Individuals cannot apply directly and must apply through a notary or municipality (commune). The fee is €25.

Official regulations regarding translation certification require confirmation. Since applications must go through a notary or municipality, direct mail or in-person submission is understood not to be possible.

Belgium Official Agencies

The links below are guidance from the Belgium government and related official agencies. Please check the latest information before actual submission.

Belgian FPS Foreign Affairs Document Legalisation Guidediplomatie.belgium.be
Embassy of Korea in Belgiumoverseas.mofa.go.kr
Korean Ministry of Foreign Affairs Apostilleapostille.go.kr
HCCH (Hague Conference on Private International Law) Member Statushcch.net

Please reconfirm the exact application method, required documents, and fees on the official sites above.

How Vision ApoKorea Can Help

Find it hard to handle on your own? From document issuance to translation, notarization, and apostille, Vision ApoKorea can help you confirm and complete the process.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do documents submitted to Belgium require an apostille?

Belgium has been a member of the Apostille Convention since February 9, 1976, so public documents that meet the Convention's requirements can be submitted with an apostille only, with no consular authentication needed.

Does Belgium issue paper apostilles?

No, since May 1, 2018 only electronic apostilles are issued, and paper apostilles have been discontinued.

Can an individual apply for an apostille directly?

No, applications are understood to be possible only through a notary or municipality (commune).

How much does it cost?

The Belgian apostille fee is stated as €25, and translation, notarization, and service fees are separate. You can request an individual quote at Get a Quote.

Can I submit multiple documents at once?

Yes, you can submit multiple documents together. Let us know the quantity at Get a Quote.

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