Kiosk, online or counter: it depends on your town
Some town halls let you print the certificate at a self-service kiosk, others deliver it digitally at once when you sign in, and a few expect a phone call or a booked slot. The certificate proves that the declaration of legal cohabitation was made, and it can be used abroad once it is legalised or given an apostille.
Ghent
Woodrow Wilsonplein 1, 9000 Ghent
Go to the civil affairs desk at the city office during opening hours, with no appointment required.
Bring your identity or residence card and PIN for online assistance at the doe-het-samenbalie. The city’s online request sends a certificate link by email after processing; Mijn DOSSIER and Mijn Burgerprofiel offer alternatives.
Ghent
Drongenplein 4, 9031 Ghent
Just turn up at the collection desk, as no appointment is needed for this request.
Have your identity or residence card available. If requesting another person’s certificate, ask Civil Affairs which entitlement or authority evidence is needed. You can also request your certificate online through the city or the national services.
Ghent
Braemkasteelstraat 35/0001, 9050 Ghent
Ask for your own certificate, since a request for someone else is checked for entitlement first.
Have your identity or residence card available. If requesting another person’s certificate, ask Civil Affairs which entitlement or authority evidence is needed. You can also request your certificate online through the city or the national services.
Ghent
Ledebergplein 30, 9050 Ghent
It proves a declaration you have already made, and is separate from booking a ceremony or signing a private contract.
Have your identity or residence card available. If requesting another person’s certificate, ask Civil Affairs which entitlement or authority evidence is needed. You can also request your certificate online through the city or the national services.
Ghent
Rerum-Novarumplein 186A, 9000 Ghent
Check the desk’s current hours and closures before you travel, as there is no appointment to book.
Have your identity or residence card available. If requesting another person’s certificate, ask Civil Affairs which entitlement or authority evidence is needed. You can also request your certificate online through the city or the national services.
Ghent
Antwerpsesteenweg 376, 9040 Ghent
Use it only as proof of an existing declaration, as making a new one works differently.
Have your identity or residence card available. If requesting another person’s certificate, ask Civil Affairs which entitlement or authority evidence is needed. You can also request your certificate online through the city or the national services.
Ghent
Pieter Cieterslaan 28, 9032 Ghent
Drop by during the desk’s opening hours and ask for the certificate in person.
Have your identity or residence card available. If requesting another person’s certificate, ask Civil Affairs which entitlement or authority evidence is needed. You can also request your certificate online through the city or the national services.
Related services
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.
A paper or digital certificate showing where you are registered, with versions for address history or household. Find the municipal office that issues it.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Other countries
Moving on, or comparing before you decide? See how this works elsewhere.
Most offices in Amsterdam, Deventer, and Hoofddorp
Most offices in Stuttgart, Berlin, and Hamburg
Most offices in Terrassa, Palma, and A Coruña
Where to next
A certificate showing that you and your partner declared legal cohabitation in Belgium, available online with eID or itsme in many towns and at the counter elsewhere.
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