Civil status registers
Civil status records are kept up to date in civil registers:
- birth certificates
- marriage certificates
- recognition certificates
- death certificates
- adoption certificates
- certificate of Belgian nationality
- certificate of absence
- change of name certificate
- annulment certificate
- certificate of a stillborn child
- certificate of prenatal recognition
- declaration of choice of name
- certificate of change of forename
- change of sex registration
To request, view, and download copies and extracts of civil status records, visit justonweb.
Population registers
The population register is a database managed by each Belgian municipality. It contains the personal details of the people whose primary residence is located in the municipality. These details include their:
- surname
- first name
- date and place of birth
- gender
- nationality
- address
- marital status
- national register number
This register is continuously updated by the municipal services, based on life events (births, marriages, house moves, deaths, etc.) and official documents. This information is then sent to the National Register, which centralises data for the whole country.
The municipal register enables local and national authorities to access reliable data for administrative management, issuing official documents, and organising public services.
Obtaining information from the population registers about yourself
As long as the information requested concerns you, you can always request, orally or in writing, an extract or certificate. When making the request, you will need to show your identity card. For certain documents, you will have to pay a local tax, varying per municipality.
Requesting information from the population registers about someone else
Any person or institution may receive an extract or certificate from a population register concerning another person. To do so, you must submit a written and signed request to the Population Department of the municipal administration.
This is only possible when the document is required for the execution or continuation of a procedure determined by law.
Specifically, this may involve:
- relations between creditor and debtor
- a summons to appear in court
- foreclosures
- claims
For such a request, you must mention the specific legal provision. The Population Department will check whether the legal provisions apply and whether the nature of the information requested corresponds. Depending on the results of its enquiries, the Population Service may or may not issue the information.
For certain documents, you will have to pay a local tax, varying per municipality.
National Register of Natural Persons
The National Register of Natural Persons is a central database containing information on the identity and address of individuals recorded in the municipal population registers. It also includes the consular registers of Belgians living abroad.
The identification information recorded in this register includes:
- surname and first name(s)
- place and date of birth
- gender
- nationality
- address of primary residence
- marital status
- profession
- national identification number
- …
These data are used by the public authorities to facilitate administrative management, guarantee the accuracy of information and simplify procedures for citizens.
For more information, consult your local authority's Population Department or the FPS Home Affairs website (FR).
Support service
Federal Public Service Interior - Home Affairs
1 rue de Louvain, 1000 Brussels
02 488 10 00
Contact form (FR)
Responsible authority
FPS Interior
Updated on 18 August 2023