How do I marry my foreign partner in Belgium?

1. Collect your documents

You need documents to get married in Belgium. You need to gather these in advance. All documents must be legalized and translated. This means that the Belgian embassy or consulate must first officially verify them in order to use them abroad.

Is your partner from a country belonging to the Schengen Area? Then they do not need a travel visa. 

2. Marriage declaration

You have to inform the Department of Civil Affairs of your municipality that you want to get married. This is called a marriage declaration.

• The Belgian partner can file the declaration alone.
• They need a declaration from the non-Belgian partner: a self-written text with a signature. A local civil servant or notary must authenticate the declaration.
• The Civil Affairs Department responds to the declaration within one month.
• The Belgian partner sends proof of the declaration to the non-Belgian partner.

Read more about the marriage declaration: Government of Flanders - Marriage declaration

3. Marriage

What is the earliest date for the marriage?

You can marry at the earliest on the 14th day after the date of the marriage declaration.

For example: Does the declaration occur on March 1? Then the earliest you can marry is March 15.

What is the last date for marriage?

You must marry at the latest six months after the 14th day after the declaration.

For example: Does the declaration occur on March 1? Then you must marry on September 15 at the latest.

1. Collect your documents

You need documents to get married in Belgium. You need to gather these in advance. All documents must be legalized and translated. This means that the Belgian embassy or consulate must first officially verify them in order to use them abroad.

Is your partner from a country outside of the Schengen Area and can you prove a long-term relationship? Then they're able to apply for visa C.

2. Marriage declaration

You have to inform the Department of Civil Affairs of your municipality that you want to get married. This is called a marriage declaration.

• The Belgian partner can file the declaration alone.
• They need a declaration from the non-Belgian partner: a self-written text with a signature. A local civil servant or notary must authenticate the declaration.
• The Civil Affairs Department responds to the declaration within one month.
• The Belgian partner sends proof of the declaration to the non-Belgian partner.
• With this proof the non-Belgian partner can apply for visa C.

Read more about the marriage declaration: Government of Flanders - Marriage declaration

3. Your partner arrives in Belgium

What should they do?

They must go to the town hall of their place of residence. There they must make a declaration of arrival.

When must they do this?

Within ten business days after arriving in Belgium.

How long can they stay?

The non-Belgian partner receives a document called 'annex 3ter' and can stay in the country for three months.

4. Marriage

With an “annex 3ter” your partner is allowed to stay in Belgium for three months. You must get married during that period. 

Is it impossible because Civil Affairs Department doubts your marriage or because they're demanding extra documents? Then the non-Belgian partner may stay as long as the procedure lasts. 

What is the earliest date for the marriage?

You can marry at the earliest on the 14th day after the date of the marriage declaration.

For example: Does the declaration occur on March 1? Then the earliest you can marry is March 15.

5. Family reunification

After marriage you can apply for family reunification. This allows the non-Belgian partner to stay in Belgium.

Read more about family reunification: What is family reunification?

1. Collect your documents

You need documents to get married in Belgium. You need to gather these in advance. All documents must be legalized and translated. This means that the Belgian embassy or consulate must first officially verify them in order to use them abroad.

Is your partner from a country outside of the Schengen Area and you can't prove a long-term relationship? Then they need to apply for visa D.

2. Marriage declaration

You have to inform the Department of Civil Affairs of your municipality that you want to get married. This is called a marriage declaration.

• The Belgian partner can file the declaration alone.
• They need a declaration from the non-Belgian partner: a self-written text with a signature. A local civil servant or notary must authenticate the declaration.
• The Civil Affairs Department responds to the declaration within one month.
• The Belgian partner sends proof of the declaration to the non-Belgian partner.
• With this proof the non-Belgian partner can apply for visa D.

Read more about the marriage declaration: Government of Flanders - Marriage declaration

3. Your partner arrives in Belgium

What should they do?

They must go to the town hall of their place of residence. There they have to register theirselves. 

When must they do this?

Within eight business days after arriving in Belgium.

How long can they stay?

The non-Belgian partner receives a document called 'annex 15'. After that someone will visit their home to see if they actually live there. 

 If that inspection goes well, they will receive an “A card”. The A-card is valid for six months. 

4. Marriage

With an A-card your partner is allowed to stay in Belgium for six months. You must get married during that period. 

Is it impossible because Civil Affairs Department doubts your marriage or because they're demanding extra documents? Then the Immigration Office can extend your A card. 

What is the earliest date for the marriage?

You can marry at the earliest on the 14th day after the date of the marriage declaration.

For example: Does the declaration occur on March 1? Then the earliest you can marry is March 15.

5. Family reunification

After marriage you can apply for family reunification. This allows the non-Belgian partner to stay in Belgium.

Read more about family reunification: What is family reunification?ㅤ