Declaration of citizenship

Belgian citizenship can be acquired by declaration or by option at the Registry Office.

Interested parties must come with their identification document, a legitimized copy of their birth certificate, issued at least one year ago, as well as a certificate of place of residence with a history of addresses and if necessary, a marriage certificate, if the interested party is obtaining Belgian citizenship following marriage.

The application form is then sent to the local authorities.

The procedure takes a minimum of four months.

By declaration of citizenship.

Either article 12bis, 1.

• Having been born in Belgium and having had one’s principal residence in Belgium since birth.
• Having reached 18 years of age.

Either article 12 bis, 2.

• Having been born abroad to a parent who possesses Belgian citizenship at the time of the declaration.
• Having reached 18 years of age.

Either article 12 bis, 3.

• Having had one’s principal residence in Belgium for at least seven years and having been admitted or authorized to stay for an unlimited duration in the Kingdom or authorized to settle in Belgium.
• Having reached 18 years of age.
   

By option of citizenship.

Art.13 & 14.

• The child born in Belgium.
• The child born abroad, one of the child’s biological or adoptive parents possessing Belgian citizenship at the time of the declaration.
• The child born abroad, one of the child’s biological or adoptive parents being or having been a Belgian citizen at the time of the birth.
• The child who, for at least one year before the age of 6, had his or her principal residence in Belgium with a person who had legal authority over the child.

• Being at least 18 years of age and no more than 22 years of age.
• Having had principal residence in Belgium during the twelve preceding months.
• Having had principal residence in Belgium from the age of 14 until the age of 18 or for at least nine years.

Par le mariage avec un(e) Belge.

Conditions:

• Being married to a spouse with Belgian citizenship.
• Having shared a residence for three years in Belgium and for the duration of their joint life.

• Being married to a spouse with Belgian citizenship.
• Having shared a residence for six months and for the duration of their joint life.
• No less than three years ago, having received authorization or having been admitted to stay for more than three months in the Kingdom or to settle in the Kingdom.