Embassy and Consulates of Belgium in South Africa
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Conservation of nationality

If you are born outside of Belgium and meet the 5 conditions mentioned here below, you will lose the Belgian nationality on your 28th birthday, unless you sign a declaration of the conservation of your Belgian nationality with the Embassy or Consulate where you are registered.

Conditions:

  • you were born abroad after 1 January 1967
  • you hold one or multiple nationalities
  • you did not have your principal residence in Belgium during the period between the age of eighteen and twenty-eight
  • you do not work abroad either for the Belgian government or for a Belgian company or association
  • you did not acquire Belgian nationality after the age of eighteen.

     

IMPORTANT!

If on 12 July 2018 you were not yet 28 years old AND if you applied for and received a Belgian ID card or Belgian passport between your 18th and 28th birthday, you do not lose the Belgian nationality when you turn 28.

 

Procedure:

The following ORIGINAL document, not older than 5 months, will have to be presented:

 A fully detailed birth certificate (unabridged), legalised with the apostille, + sworn translation.

 

WHERE TO OBTAIN AN APOSTILLE

Apostille in South Africa is issued by the following authority

http://www.dirco.gov.za/consular/legalisation.htm

DEPARTMENT OF INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS

CHIEF DIRECTORATE: CONSULAR SERVICES

LEGALISATION SECTION: NE2A – GROUND FLOOR

460 Southpansberg Road

RIETONDALE

 

Please note:

  1. We do NOT require a sworn translation of the apostille (only from the original certificate).
  2. The signature of a Commissioner of Oath, Notary Public or any court official will require an apostille from the Registrar of the High Court within the jurisdiction of that official.

     

    LIST OF OUR SWORN TRANSLATORS

    Please visit following page