Legalisation of documents

'Legalisation is, in accordance with the international and Belgian legislation, the confirmation of the authenticity of the signature and the capacity in which the signatory has acted and, where appropriate, the identity of the stamp or seal applied to the document.'

Except in cases where an international treaty or Community law provides for an exemption from legalisation, a foreign court decision or authentic act must be legalised in order to be presented in Belgium in whole or in part, in original or by copy.

Legalisation involves an investigation of the identity and authority of the foreign authority that issued the document. The pre-legalisation check is limited to a formal verification. Such a check differs from a verification regarding the recognition of the decision or the validity of the document in relation to the applicable law, which is governed by the other relevant provisions of the International Private Law Code and the Consular Code.

The following text is included in the legalisation formula: "This legalisation does not guarantee the authenticity of the content of the document". This prevents the authority that receives a legalised document from wrongly assuming that the content has also been checked, and that the document is accepted as true and genuine on the sole basis that it has been legalised.

In practice, the Embassy of Belgium in Bangkok or the Legalisation Service of the Federal Public Service Foreign Affairs in Brussels legalises the signature of the last legalising official, not the signature of the person who issued the document. This practice, which is internationally known and accepted, is also described as "legalisation in cascade": each signature is legalised by the person authorised to do so and who knows the signature, usually because he has a specimen.

Between Belgium and Thailand, Cambodia, Laos and Myanmar, the procedure of "legalisation in cascade" is used.

A document drawn up in a foreign language by a foreign authority, intended for use in Belgium, must be accompanied by a certified translation into one of the national languages, drawn up by a translator listed by the Embassy. (PDF, 574.76 KB)

The translation must be carried out after the original document has first been legalised by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (the legalisation formula provided by the aforementioned Ministry must also be translated).

For legalisations at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in

BANGKOK

Since September 1, 2021, an appointment must be made. More info on consular.mfa.go.th/th/index .

PHUKET

Legalisation Division,
Department of Consular Affairs
Central Plaza Festival Shopping Mall
B Floor, Wichit, Muang

Tel : +66 (0)76 222 080

Opening hours from Monday to Friday: 10:00 - 18:00. 

PATTAYA

Legalisation Office
Central Pattaya 
Office n° 449/2, 4th floor

Tel: +66 (0)38 119 638

For the following administrations: It is not necessary to make an appointment (walk in), but it is advisable to call to be sure of the opening days that can change regularly.

Opening hours from Monday to Thursday: 8:30 – 15.00 (closed on Wednesdays)

UBON RATCHATHANI 
Tel. +66 45 344 581 – 82
Facebookpage

CHIANG MAI 
Tel. +66 53 112 748
Facebookpage

SONGKHLA 
Tel. +66 74 326 510

The Embassy legalises the signature of the official of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and that of the translator.

Authorities competent for the legalisation of documents drawn up in Thailand, Cambodia, Laos and Myanmar, intended for use in Belgium

1. Documents drawn up in Thailand: the Embassy of Belgium in Bangkok legalises the documents drawn up in Thailand after they have been previously legalized by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Thailand (Legalisation Division). For legalisations at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, an appointment must sometimes be made. See above. 
2. Documents drawn up in Myanmar: the Embassy of Belgium in Bangkok legalises the signature of the official of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Nay Pyi Taw, affixed to the Notarial translations of civil status documents  drawn up by a Notary Public. Since the consular officer of the Embassy is proficient in English, these English translations no longer need to be translated into one of the national languages, except when the documents must be attached to a civil status act or declaration of nationality drawn up at the Embassy.  
3. Documents issued in Cambodia: first contact the Belgian Honorary Consul in Phnom Penh to find out whether he can legalise the document directly or whether the document must first be legalised by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Phnom Penh.
4. Documents drawn up in Laos: the Belgian Honorary Consul in Vientiane legalises these documents after they have first been legalised by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Vientiane.

 
Authority competent for the legalisation of documents drawn up in Belgium intended for use abroad

The Legalisation Service of the Federal Public Service Foreign Affairs in Brussels is competent for the legalisation of Belgian documents that will be used abroad.

After that, the documents must be legalised by the diplomatic or consular mission of the country of destination of the documents.

For Thailand: the documents legalised by the Embassy of Thailand in Brussels still need to be legalised by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Bangkok (Legalisation Division).

Belgian diplomatic and consular missions are not authorised to legalise documents drawn up in Belgium, nor to issue a certified copy of them.

For any additional information, please contact:

1. the website of the Federal Public Service Foreign Affairs
2. the website of the Federal Public Service Justice

Which documents can be legalised at the Embassy or at the Honorary Consulates?

1. documents issued by a foreign authority: uniform copies or extracts from civil status certificates, notarial acts, certificates of nationality, certificates of civil status, residence certificates, family composition certificates or declarations, judgments, diplomas, etc
2. documents signed by a private person: these documents can be legalised provided that the person who signed the document presents himself in person with an identity document.
3. certified copies: certified copies may only be issued by the authority that issued the original. These copies can then be legalised according to the procedure in force.

Belgian consular missions are not authorised to issue extracts or certified copies of Belgian documents, such as driving licences, travel or identity documents, Belgian diplomas.

However, a "certificate of possession of a Belgian passport, travel or identity document" can be issued to Belgians who are registered at the embassy. This document certifies that a passport or identity card has been issued to the person concerned, indicating the number, place and time of issue and the period of validity.

 
Practical modalities

For the legalisation of documents drawn up in Thailand (or in Myanmar): the application for legalisation is submitted directly to the consular services of the Embassy of Belgium in Bangkok. The waiting time to collect the legalised document is 4 working days. A consular fee must be paid: see list of rates.

If necessary, the documents can be returned by mail, subject to an additional charge of THB 60 for shipping costs (THB 650 for a shipment < 250g. to Myanmar). In this case, a pre-addressed envelope must also be attached.

For the legalisation of documents drawn up in Laos and Cambodia: please contact the Honorary Consul in Vientiane and Phnom Penh directly.

In case of absence of the Belgian Honorary Consul in Vientiane (Laos): in urgent cases, you can contact the Embassy of Belgium in Bangkok for the legalisation of documents that have already been legalised by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Vientiane. Any costs for the return of the documents after legalisation are borne by the addressee (THB 650 for a shipment < 250g. to Laos, THB 1,350 for a shipment < 250g. to Belgium).

In case of absence of the Belgian Honorary Consul in Phnom Penh (Cambodia): in urgent cases, the Embassy of Belgium in Bangkok can only legalise documents drawn up in Cambodia if they have been legalised beforehand by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Phnom Penh. Any costs for the return of the documents after legalisation are borne by the addressee (THB 650 for a shipment < 250 g. to Cambodia, THB 1,350 for a shipment < 250 g. to Belgium).

The Embassy cannot be held responsible in the event of loss or theft of the returned documents.