For our purposes, an official document is a statement in writing issued by a government or a recognised authority confirming a person’s status or identity, or certifying a fact. Governmental, judicial and academic institutions in Belgium and generally require a certified translation of any official document issued abroad.
In Belgium, the translation of official documents is subject to strict rules, which may be summed up as follows :
An official document must be translated by a certified translator. The translation of an official document must be accompanied by a statement signed by the certified translator to the effect that it was produced in accordance with trade practice, and is an accurate reflection of the original.
The certified translator must imprint the appropriate seal on each page of the translation and on the signed statement mentioned above.
In many cases, the original and the translation must be signed and sealed together.