MEA ApostilleApostille for Belgium
Belgium objected to India's accession to the Apostille Convention in 2005 and withdrew that objection on 9 January 2008, so the Convention now applies between Belgium and India.
Belgium's links with India run through trade as much as migration. Antwerp's diamond sector has long-standing ties with Surat and Mumbai, and Indian companies also work with Belgian ports, logistics firms and EU-focused businesses in Brussels. Alongside them come IT professionals on single permits, students and families joining relatives.
The Convention position
Belgium objected to India's accession in 2005 and withdrew the objection on 9 January 2008. The Convention now applies between the two countries, so an MEA Apostille is the route and no Belgian Embassy legalisation is needed.
Company and trade documents
Indian businesses dealing with Belgian partners, banks or registries are commonly asked for:
- a certificate of incorporation and a board resolution authorising a signatory or a Belgian branch
- a power of attorney appointing a representative in Belgium
- a commercial agreement that will be relied on in Belgium
Company documents are usually notarised where required and attested by a Chamber of Commerce before the MEA; a power of attorney signed in a personal capacity goes through the state Home Department or GAD instead. If your business is in Surat or Mumbai, where we have offices, we can arrange pickup.
Personal documents and the commune
When you register with your commune or apply for family reunification, expect to be asked for a birth certificate and, for spouses, a marriage certificate. These are authenticated by the issuing state's Home Department or GAD before the MEA Apostille.
Which language?
Belgium has three community languages, and the one you need depends on where the document will be used. An office in Antwerp would usually need Dutch, one in Liège French, and one in Brussels either French or Dutch. Belgian offices often ask for a sworn translation, sometimes by a translator registered in Belgium. Our document translation service can help where a translation prepared in India is accepted.
To check the route for a particular document, use the Service Finder, or request a quote for a review.
Route for Indian documents going to Belgium
- 1
Identify the Belgian requirement
Ask the commune, bank, notary or business partner whether it needs an Apostille and in which language the translation should be.
- 2
Notarise or verify
Company documents, powers of attorney and copies are notarised where required; academic records are verified by the university or board.
- 3
Chamber or state authentication
A Chamber of Commerce attests commercial documents; personal and academic records are authenticated by the issuing state.
- 4
MEA Apostille
The MEA affixes its Apostille. Belgium withdrew its objection in 2008, so no Belgian Embassy step follows.
- 5
Translation into Dutch, French or German
The translation is prepared in the language of the region where the document will be used, often by a sworn translator.
Documents commonly prepared for Belgium
Frequently asked questions
Belgium objected to India's accession. Is an Indian Apostille accepted now?
Yes. Belgium withdrew its objection on 9 January 2008, and the Convention now applies between Belgium and India, so an MEA Apostille is the route.
Do I need a Dutch or a French translation?
It depends on where the document is used. Offices in Flanders generally work in Dutch, those in Wallonia in French, and Brussels offices in either. Ask the receiving office which language and translator it accepts.
Our board resolution is for a Belgian bank account. What is the route?
Board resolutions are usually notarised, attested by a Chamber of Commerce and then apostilled by the MEA. The bank may also want a translation or specific wording, so check its requirements before the resolution is signed.
Not sure which route your document needs?
Tell us the document and the destination country. We will confirm the route, the documents we need from you and a quotation — before you send anything.