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On this page you will find the following information:
- Legalization
- Procedure for a document issued by a Singaporean authority
- Procedure for a document issued by a foreign authority
- Translation
Legalization
More information can be found on the website of FPS Foreign Affairs
What
A document that is official and legal in one country is not necessarily official and legal in another. Many documents must therefore be legalized if you wish to use them abroad.
The legalization process involves checking the origin of the relevant document. Legalization is official confirmation that the signature of the civil servant that has signed a document, or the seal or stamp on the document, is legitimate.
It is not only the signature of the person that has issued the document that is legalized, the process can also legalize the signature of the legalizing registrar. Every signature, every seal and every stamp will be legalized by the person authorized to do so and who is familiar with each signature, seal or stamp. This explains why various legalizations are sometimes required, in a specific order.
In 2021 Singapore acceded to the Apostille Convention (1961 Hage Convention). As from 16 September 2021, documents issued by the authorities in Singapore and destined for the Belgian authorities need a legalization by means of an Apostille.
Type of documents
a) Documents issued by a Singaporean authority: these documents will need to be legalized with Apostille by the Singapore Academy of Law (SAL) in Singapore. Further legalization by the Belgian Embassy is not required. You may wish to refer to the SAL's website for details on the process and procedures.
b) Documents signed by a private person: these documents can only be legalized by the Belgian Embassy when the signatory personally appears at the Embassy with the unsigned document and proof of identification.
c) Certified true copies: certified true copies can only be issued by the authority that issued the original document. These certificates issued in Singapore will need to be legalized with Apostille by the SAL in Singapore. Further legalization by the Belgian Embassy is not required.
d) Translations issued in Singapore: The translation to Dutch, French or German of a document apostilled by the Singapore authorities can be legalized by the embassy when the translation is submitted with the original document apostilled and is meant for use in Belgium.
Belgian consular posts are not authorized to issue Belgian documents, e.g. drivers licenses, Belgian diploma’s,… These documents can also not be legalized by the consular post.
Procedure
For legalization by the Belgian Embassy, you will need to deposit the original document by appointment only. Processing time is approximately 2 working days. Payment is due upon collection.
Procedure for a document issued by a Singaporean authority
Please note that laminated documents cannot be legalized nor apostilled. When your marriage certifictes, birth certificates, Certificates of Criminal record, death certificates, ... are laminated, you will first need to apply for a new certificate, non-laminated version. We do not accept (photo)copied documents with the apostille affixed onto it.
Application
Birth: see Registration of birth
Marriage: see Registration of marriage
Legalization by Apostille
Singapore Academy of Law
1 Coleman Street #08-06
The Adelphi
Singapore 179803
Tel: +65 6332 4388
E-mail: enquiries@sal.org.sg
Procedure for a document issued by a foreign authority
Use the tool "Search criteria" from FPS Foreign Affaires to check if your document needs legalization, apostille or is exempted from legalization. In the tool click on the option 'Use a foreign document in Belgium' and then select the country or region where the document was issued.
Translation
The Embassy does not translate any document except Belgian driving licenses. All other documents can be translated by a translator recognized by the Embassy. The list of translators can be found below. A translation can be legalized by the Embassy when the translation is submitted together with the original document.
