Get your proof of legal cohabitation in Belgium

The paper that shows you and your partner made the declaration

In Belgium, two people who share a home can make a declaration of legal cohabitation (wettelijke samenwoning, cohabitation légale) at the civil registry of their town. The certificate you can request afterwards proves that declaration. If you can sign in with an eID or itsme, many towns give it to you online straight away; otherwise you ask at the civil affairs counter. For use abroad it may need legalisation.

Find your officeBrowse services

How it works

Get a registered partnership or cohabitation certificate

Get official proof of a registered partnership or legal cohabitation, or that none is registered.

Some procedures, such as a family residence application, ask for proof that you are in a registered partnership or legal cohabitation, or that you are not registered with anyone. Depending on the country, the certificate comes from the town hall, the civil registry or a regional register of couples. You usually need your ID, and sometimes your partner’s consent if they are not applying with you. Check which version the recipient needs and whether it must be translated or legalised. Getting a certificate is not the same as registering a new partnership.

Also searched as

registered partnership certificatecivil partnership certificatelegal cohabitation certificatedomestic partnership certificatecertificate of no registered partnershipproof of relationship

At a glance

Offices
36 offices in 13 cities
Book online
At 2 of 36 offices
Apply online
At 14 of 36 offices

Some towns deliver it online straight away

Where to request your certificate

Town halls issue the certificate, and many offer it online, at a self-service kiosk or at an express counter. Each office shows which option it has and when a visit needs an appointment.

Find an office

Related services

Other everyday services in Belgium

Social assistance in Belgium

For people who cannot cover rent, food or other essentials: what the local social welfare centre can arrange and how to ask for an appointment.

106 offices · 30 cities

Proof of your registered address in Belgium

A paper or digital certificate showing where you are registered, with versions for address history or household. Find the municipal office that issues it.

80 offices · 31 cities

Digital ID and eID help

Reset an eID PIN, replace activation codes or set up a digital key for online services. Useful for residents, residence card holders and some non-residents.

77 offices · 30 cities

Applying for or renewing a Belgian ID card

The eID for teenagers and adults and the Kids-ID for children. See how applying works and find the municipal office that handles your card.

69 offices · 30 cities

Reporting a move within Belgium

For anyone who has moved house in Belgium. See who reports, what happens after the address check and which office handles it in your new town.

68 offices · 31 cities

Birth, marriage or death certificate in Belgium

Learn whether you need an extract or a full copy, who can request it and how to reach the civil registry office in your municipality.

66 offices · 31 cities
Browse services

Other countries

The same task in other countries

Moving on, or comparing before you decide? See how this works elsewhere.

Where to next

Cohabitation certificate offices

Town civil affairs offices in Belgium that issue proof of legal cohabitation, with their online, kiosk and counter options.

Cohabitation certificate offices, Belgium

Explore more

Jump straight to another part of the manual.