Nationality

Belgian nationality (a synonym for “Belgian citizenship”) is regulated since January the 1st 1985 through the Belgian Nationality Act (WBN/CNB). Before that date the Combined Laws of 1932 were applicable. You can read more on the website of the Federal Public Service Foreign Affairs

The possession of the Belgian nationality is a basic condition for being registered at the Embassy in Tokyo and for receiving its full administrative and consular services.

A child born in a foreign country will not always automatically possess the Belgian nationality even if one or both of the parents are Belgian and might, under certain circumstances, have lost it. One may have lost the Belgian nationality by acquiring another one.
 

Since January the 1st 2013 the Embassies and consulates of Belgium can not process any request for naturalization anymore, opting in or recuperation of the Belgian nationality. Only foreigners living on a permanent basis and legally registered in Belgium can start up these procedures in Belgium, when and if they comply with the basic conditions. More information in French or Dutch is available on justitie.belgium.be
 

1. “Declaration of attribution” by a Belgian parent - art 8,§1,2°,b (WBN/CNB)

You are a Belgian registered at the Emassy in Tokyo and your child, as well as yourself, are born outside Belgium? You can transmit your Belgian nationality to your child ONLY IF you sign a declaration of attribution”. The whole procedure must be concluded BEFORE the 5th anniversary of your child.

The procedure is as follows: 

You ask the competent authorities of your birthplace for an original birth certificate and, if applicable, the certificate of acknowledgment of parentage. Both certificates have to mention clearly the parents’ names.

Important remark: the certificate(s) must be original(s), delivered not longer than 6 months ago and must be duly legalized and translated by a legalized translator to Dutch, French or German.

You send the original certificate(s) together with the following documents to the Embassy in Tokyo.

• A copy of your Japanese residence card (back and front) or any other document proving your current address in Japan (Jyuminhyo)
• Do you possess a second nationality other than the Belgian: a copy of your foreign identity card and/or passport
• The fee; for the ways of payment see consular fees.

If you can not present yourself in person at the Embassy in Tokyo in order to sign this declaration you can give a power of attorney to another person to do so. If applicable, the power of attorney, duly legalized and translated, has to be joined to your file.

The file will be submitted to the Federal Public Service Foreign Affairs. You will be notified of its approval and invited to sign the declaration at the Embassy in Tokyo. On that occasion you can bring along all the necessary documents for the registration and a passport for your child. After registration your child will receive a National Registry number. 

2. “Declaration of conservation” - art 22 § 1 - 5° (WBN/CNB)

You are a Belgian registered at the Embassy? You possess another nationality besides the Belgian? You were born outside of Belgium after 01/01/1967 and you have not been registered with a city administration in Belgium since you turned 18? You can not proof that you have been employed abroad by a Belgian company or authority? If your answer to all these questions is yes then you will have to sign a declaration of conservation before you turn 28 in order to keep your Belgian nationality. If you don’t sign this declaration you will lose automatically the Belgian nationality on your 28th birthday by law.

The procedure is as follows: 

You ask the competent authorities of your birthplace for an original birth certificate that mentions clearly your parents’ names. If you’re born in Canada you’ll find the coordinates of the Canadian authorities here (link is external).

Important remark: the certificate(s) must be original(s), delivered not longer than 6 months ago and must be duly legalized and translated by a legalized translator to Dutch, French or German.

You send the original certificate(s) together with the following documents to the Embassy in Tokyo.

• A copy of your Japanese residence card (back and front) or any other document proving your current address in Japan (Jyuminhyo)
• Do you possess a second nationality other than the Belgian: a copy of your foreign identity card and/or passport
• The fee; for the ways of payment see consular fees.

If you can not present yourself in person at the Embassy in Tokyo in order to sign this declaration you can give a power of attorney to another person to do so. If applicable, the power of attorney, duly legalized and translated, has to be joined to your file.

The file will be submitted to the Federal Public Service Foreign Affairs. You will be notified of its approval and invited to sign the declaration at the Embassy in Tokyo.

3. Renouncing Belgian nationality - art 24 (WBN/CNB)

One can renounce Belgian nationality only when one possesses another nationality. If necessary, more information can be obtained at the Embassy in Tokyo.

4. Enquiry about the Belgian nationality

Should you have more questions or doubts about the application of the Belgian Nationality Act (WBN/CNB) you should first consult the website of the Federal Public Service Foreign Affairs of Belgium

The answer to a question about nationality can be very complex. They can not be answered by phone. Always submit your personal case in written to the Embassy in Tokyo.

If you want confirmation of your suspected Belgian nationality please contact the Embassy in Tokyo by mail.