How to notify a child’s birth in Belgium: step-by-step guide for parents

Notifying a child’s birth in Belgium is an important and mandatory procedure for parents, which guarantees that they will receive all the necessary rights and benefits. This process requires attention and compliance with deadlines. In this article, we will tell you how and where to submit a birth notification, what documents are needed and what consequences may arise if the deadlines are not met. Correct registration of birth is the first step in ensuring the rights of the baby and receiving social benefits.

Why is this important?

Immediately after a child is born in Belgium, the parents or persons present at the birth must contact the local civil registry office. This process officially records the birth.

Why is this important:

• Obtaining a birth certificate for a child in Europe. The certificate is the child’s first official document, which confirms his or her identity and the fact of birth. It is necessary to obtain other documents, such as a passport or ID card.
• Access to health insurance and benefits. Registering a child gives the opportunity to obtain health insurance, which is essential for receiving medical services from the first days of life. The family will also be able to claim benefits provided for newborns.
• Obtaining citizenship and a passport. Without official registration, a child will not be able to obtain citizenship and a passport, which will limit their ability to travel internationally and have legal protection outside the country.
• Right to social benefits and support. Registration entitles you to family benefits, such as child benefits, which are provided under Belgian social policy.
• Access to education and children’s rights. A registered child will be able to benefit from the Belgian education system and all the rights granted to children under Belgian law.
• Compliance with Belgian law. Failure to notify in a timely manner may be considered a violation of the law, which will result in fines or other administrative consequences.

Failure to declare a birth can result in fines, administrative problems and the child being denied access to public services. Make sure all formalities are completed on time to avoid any possible complications in the future.

Find out how to apply for asylum in Belgium in our article.

Advice:

In some municipalities in Belgium, parents can receive a free starter kit for their newborn when registering the birth.

Who is required to notify about the birth?

Notification of the birth of a child in Belgium is a mandatory procedure that records the arrival of a new member of society in official registers. The responsibility for notification depends on the circumstances: the marital status of the parents, the place of birth of the child and other factors. This is done after the birth in Belgium.

Cases when someone is obliged to notify about birth:

• One of the parents, if they are married or in a registered partnership.
• The father of the child, if the parents are not married, but the child has been officially recognized.
• The mother of the child if the father is absent or unable to fulfill his obligations.
• An authorized person if the parents are in a serious condition or are unable to personally report the birth.
• Hospital medical staff if the child was born in a medical facility but the parents are not present.

If the parents are unable to notify about the birth, this is done by an authorized person or employees of the hospital where the child was born. The main thing is that the information is received in time for the execution of all necessary documents.

Find out more about how to correctly apply for benefits in Belgium in the article.

Important:

In Belgium, parents are required to report the birth of a child within 15 days of the child’s birth.

Where and how to file a birth notification in Belgium

Notifying a child’s birth in Belgium is an important legal procedure that ensures the official registration of a new member of your family. The process takes place in several stages and requires the preparation of the necessary documents. The first step is collecting the documents. This includes the birth certificate, the parents’ identity cards and, if necessary, additional certificates, such as marital status.

Stages of filing a birth notification.

1. Collection of necessary documents:
   • birth certificate issued by the hospital;
   • passports or identity cards of parents;
   • marriage certificate (if necessary).
2. Contacting the local municipality (commune)
   • the office address can be found on the official website of your city;
3. Filling out forms and submitting an application.
4. Waiting for registration (usually takes 1-3 business days).
5. Obtaining a birth certificate for a child in Belgium.

To minimize waiting time and avoid problems, we recommend that you check the municipality’s working hours in advance and make an appointment. Timely submission of documents is the key to successfully registering your child and receiving a birth notification form.

Find out what the Centre for Public Social Assistance in Belgium, CPAS, is in this article.

Tip:

Did you know that in Belgium you can submit a birth notification in several languages: French, Dutch or German, depending on the region?

Birth Notification Deadlines

In Belgium, parents are required to register the birth of a child within 15 calendar days of the child’s birth. This period is fixed by law and allows the municipality to enter the child’s details into the national register. The registration process requires a personal application by one or both parents to the local municipality (commune) to which the child’s place of birth belongs. If the 15-day period ends on a weekend or a public holiday, the last day for submitting documents is postponed to the next working day. To register a birth, the child does not necessarily have to be a citizen of the country – the procedure applies to all newborns born on its territory. This is the basis of Belgian family law.

If the parents fail to file a birth notification within the prescribed period, the situation may lead to administrative and legal consequences:

• Need for judicial intervention: after the 15-day period has passed, registration will only be possible through a court decision. To do this, you must provide proof of the child’s birth and explain the reason for the delay.
• Fines and penalties: The municipality may impose an administrative fine for late submission of notification.
• Difficulties with documents: without registration it is impossible to obtain a birth certificate, which makes it difficult to obtain health insurance, a national identification number and other necessary documents.
• Legal risks: failure to register may be considered a breach of parental responsibilities, which in extreme cases may attract the attention of social services.

It is recommended not to delay in submitting the notification and, in case of unforeseen circumstances, to notify the municipality in advance in order to avoid complications.

How to correctly obtain health insurance in Belgium, details in the article.

Advice:

If you understand that you will not be able to register the birth on time, contact the municipality in advance to clarify possible actions.

Consequences of incorrect notification or failure to register

Failure to notify or notify the birth of a child in Belgium can have serious consequences. Without official registration in the database, the child will not be recognized as a citizen or resident of the country. This means that their rights to health care, social security and other public services will be limited. There may also be difficulties in obtaining a passport and other documents necessary for travel and education.

Consequences of lack of registration:

• Denial of medical care. The child will not be covered by medical care, making it difficult to access necessary vaccinations, treatments, and regular check-ups.
• Restriction of access to social benefits. The family may be deprived of the right to receive care benefits, child benefits and other social payments.
• Problems with obtaining documents. Without registration, it is impossible to obtain a birth certificate, passport or other official documents that may be needed in the future.
• Learning difficulties: Not being registered can make it difficult for your child to enroll in school or kindergarten.
• Uncertainty of status. The child may not be recognised as a Belgian citizen, which creates legal complications later on, especially in matters of inheritance, citizenship and work rights.

Risks to children’s rights, such as access to health and social services

Not registering correctly affects the child’s ability to access health and social services, which are essential for their well-being. A child who is not registered in the system may have difficulty receiving necessary medical treatments, such as vaccinations, hospital treatment or visits to the pediatrician. It may also affect the child’s rights to care benefits and other social benefits that are available to families with children in Belgium.

Important:

Failure to register on time may deprive the child of a number of state benefits, such as free medical care and child care allowances.

Benefits and rights related to birth notification

Once a child’s birth has been notified in Belgium, parents have access to important benefits and rights that provide financial and social support. This may include childcare benefits, tax benefits, and the ability to take advantage of government programs to improve quality of life. The rights and benefits provided through registration provide parents with additional financial security and the ability to focus on raising their child, knowing that they can get the help they need.

Benefits and rights related to birth notification:

• Child care allowance. This is a monthly payment intended to cover the costs of caring for a newborn. The amount of the allowance depends on the family income, but on average it is about 1,000 euros per month.
• Child benefits (Kinderbijslag). In Belgium, every parenthood automatically entitles you to a child benefit. The amount varies by region and the age of the child, but is on average 90-150 euros per month for the first child and may increase for subsequent children.
• Tax benefits for parents. Registered children give the right to tax deductions, which reduces the taxable base of parents. The amount of the benefit varies from 100 to 300 euros, depending on the number of children in the family.
• Free health care and vaccinations: Upon notification of the birth of a child, parents have access to free health care, including regular check-ups, vaccinations and treatment in case of illness.
• Maternity benefit. This is a special benefit for mothers on maternity leave. Its amount depends on the salary and can be up to 82% of the average income.

Large families in Belgium have additional benefits and allowances that become available upon notification of the birth of each new child. For example, large families are entitled to increased amounts of child benefits, tax deductions and access to special educational programs. Moreover, large families can count on discounts on utilities and benefits on public transport.

Important:

Families with many children can benefit from additional child taxes in Belgium and benefits, which reduces the financial burden.

Tips and useful resources

1. Check your documents in advance. To register a child’s birth, you need to collect all the necessary documents, such as a birth certificate, parents’ passports, and proof of residence. Make sure all documents are up to date and in order.
2. Make sure the application form is correct. Fill out notification forms carefully, avoid errors in personal data, as this may delay the registration process.
3. Keep up with deadlines. It is recommended that you file a birth notification as soon as possible after your baby is born to avoid penalties and possible delays in receiving benefits and entitlements.
4. Check with your local authorities. The notification process may vary slightly depending on your region. It is best to check with your local registration authority for the exact requirements in advance.
5. Use online services. In some cases, documents can be submitted online. This can speed up the registration process and eliminate the need to visit the office.

Resources and sites for further information

1. The Belgian Government website (https://www.belgium.be ) is the official resource for up-to-date information on the birth registration process and other legal procedures in Belgium.
2. Website for parents and families (https://www.parenten.be ) – on this website you can find detailed information about benefits, rights and privileges for parents.
3. Information portal for immigrants (https://www.immigrant.be ) – a resource for foreigners in Belgium, where you can find advice on registering children and other legal issues.
4. Helpline – a hotline for parents in Belgium: +32 2 555 15 55. Here you can get advice on any questions related to the birth and registration of a child.