Legalisation of documents

How to legalise a document?

Documents from Zambia

How to legalize documents from Zambia
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If you want to use a document from Zambia in Belgium, you must first have the document legalized by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Zambia and then by the Belgian Embassy in Dar Es Salaam.  

Attention: if you want to use a Belgian document in Zambia check the website of Foreign Affairs. 

Important

  • Documents must be translated into a Belgian national language for use in Belgium. 

  • Your document must be original, without lamination. If there are references to other documents or attachments, they must also be included.  

  • Date of issue of the document must be less than 6 months old to be legalized.

Translate your document 

The document will be translated in Zambia: 

  • Translate the original document into a Belgian national language
  • Have the original document legalized by following the 2-step procedure below 

OR

The document will be translated in Belgium: 

  • Have the original document legalized by following the 2-step procedure below
  • Have the legalized document translated by a sworn translator in Belgium. The translation does not need to be legalized. 

Legalization of the document 

Step 1: legalization by the Zambian authorities 

  • Have the document - and if applicable the translation of the document - legalized by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. 

Step 2: legalization by the Honorary consulate in Lusaka 

  • Have the document - and if applicable the translation of the document - legalized by the Honorary consulate in Lusaka

Once the document is legalized, you can use the document in Belgium.  

Where can you apply for official documents in Zambia 

Birth certificate

Born on or after January 1, 1973 

You can obtain an official copy of a birth certificate from The Registrar General of Births, Deaths and Marriages (P.O. Box 32311, Lusaka). 

Born before January 1, 1973 

You received a birth certificate from the hospital at the time of your birth. If you were baptized, you received a baptismal certificate. To get an official copy of your birth certificate, you will need at least one of these two documents. 

Bring your birth certificate and/or baptismal certificate to a commissioner of oath. A family member must accompany you and make a sworn statement (affidavit). 

With the affidavit, birth declaration and/or baptismal certificate, go to The Registrar General of Births, Deaths and Marriages and have a birth certificate prepared. You can then obtain an official copy of this certificate. 

Certificate of no impediment 

There are 3 ways to get a certificate of unmarried status: 

  • At The Registrar of Marriages at the Lusaka Civic Centre. 
  • At the Legal Department of the Zambian Ministry of Foreign Affairs. 
  • By an affidavit (declaration under oath) from a sworn commissioner. 
     

Marriage certificate 

For a civil marriage 

You can get an official copy of a marriage certificate from The Registrar General of Births, Deaths and Marriages. 

For a common law marriage 

You must first register the marriage with the The Registrar General of Births, Deaths and Marriages. After that, you can get an official copy of the marriage certificat.

Certificates of divorce 

For a civil marriage 

You can get an official copy of a divorce certificate from the High Court where the divorce was pronounced: 

  • Registrar of High Court, P.O. Box 50067, Lusaka
  • Registrar of High Court, P.O. Box 70004, Ndola 
  • Registrar of High Court, P.O. Box 60110, Livingstone. 

For a common law marriage 

First, have your divorce registered. Then ask the Zambian authorities where you can get an official copy of the divorce certificate. 

Death certificates 

You can get an official copy of a death certificate from the Registrar General of Births, Deaths and Marriages (P.O. Box 32311, Lusaka). 

Legalization of diplomas and credits issued in Zambia

  • Take the original credit lists and degrees, and make colored copies of them, without lamination.
  • The colored copies must be stamped "certified copy of original' by the respective school.
  • Go to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Zambia for legalization on the copies.
  • Then make an appointment online with the Honorary consulate of the legalization of the documents. You must come by with the copies and the original documents.

Legalization of Annex 32

The sponsor's signature is legalized. The person whose signature is being legalized must be present in person and he/she must be in possession of his/her identity card. He/she signs the document at the counter in front of the person authorized for legalization (i.e. do not sign the document in advance). 

Other documents

If you need another type of document, please ask the local authorities for information.