Belgian citizenship may be applied for by a parent/adopting party for their child of minor age through a declaration of attribution. Each declaration is subject to specific conditions:
- One of your parents is Belgian
- You have been adopted by a Belgian
- One of your parents is a non-national or you have been adopted by a non-national
Duration and cost
This procedure is free of charge. But you may be invoiced for certain costs (translation, stamps, photocopies, etc.). For more information, refer to the authority in your main place of residence (in person or online). Information is also available from the Belgian diplomatic or consular authorities abroad.
One of your parents is Belgian
The Belgian parent can apply for Belgian citizenship for their child of minor age through a declaration of attribution.
How do you know if a child can obtain Belgian citizenship?
You need to answer the following questions:
- Is the child under 5 years of age?
- Was the child born abroad?
- Was the parent Belgian at the time of the child’s birth?
- Was the parent born abroad?
If the answer to all of these questions is yes, the Belgian parent may make a declaration of attribution of Belgian citizenship for their child.
When?
Before your child reaches the age of 5.
Who do you make the declaration to?
The parent has to make the declaration of attribution before the registrar in the municipality where they have their main residence. If this main residence is located abroad, the parent has to make this declaration at the Belgian embassy or consulate in the country where they reside.
You have been adopted by a Belgian
The adopting party can apply for Belgian citizenship for their child of minor age through a declaration of attribution.
How do you know if an adopted child can obtain Belgian citizenship?
You need to answer the following questions:
- Is the adopted child under 18 years of age?
- Was the adopting party Belgian at the time the adoption came into effect?
- Was the adopted child born abroad?
- Was the adopting party born abroad?
If the answer to all of these questions is yes, the Belgian adopting party may make a declaration of attribution of Belgian citizenship for their adopted child.
When?
Within 5 years from the day on which the adoption came into effect and as long as the child is under 18 years of age.
Who do you make the declaration to?
The adopting party has to make the declaration of attribution before the registrar in the municipality where they have their main residence. If this main residence is located abroad, the adopting party has to make this declaration at the Belgian embassy or consulate in the country where they reside.
One of your parents is a non-national or you have been adopted by a non-national
A child under the age of 12 who has a non-national parent or who has been adopted by a non-national can have Belgian citizenship. It needs to be applied for through a special declaration of attribution.
Conditions
- The child was born in Belgium and has had their main residence there since birth
Having their residence means that the child is registered in either the population, non-nationals or pending cases register in the municipality concerned. - The parents or adopting party have had their main residence in Belgium for at least 10 years
Having their residence means that the parents are registered in either the population, non-nationals or pending cases register in the municipality concerned. - At least one of the parents or adopting party is authorised to reside in Belgium for an unlimited period at the time the declaration is made.
The stay will be verified by the municipal authority.
Who do you make the declaration to?
The declaration has to be made jointly by the parents or by the adopting party before the registrar in the municipality where they have their main residence. Some exceptions are made.
Note
If the public prosecutor’s office rejects your application, you may lodge an appeal before the family court.
Published on December 12th 2020