Refugee documents

Helpdesk recognised refugees and stateless persons

The Helpdesk recognised refugees and stateless persons issues documents to recognised refugees and stateless persons because they are no longer able to request documents from their national authorities. The CGRS has the authority to issue documents to recognised refugees.

Some types of document can be requested in writing. For other types, one has to come to the CGRS.

Who can contact the Helpdesk recognised refugees and stateless persons?
  • recognised refugees;
  • recognised refugees who have obtained Belgian citizenship;
  • recognised stateless persons;
  • employees of public welfare centres (OCMW/CPAS) and other social services, municipal employees and lawyers acting on behalf of a recognised refugee.
Documents for recognised refugees

DOCUMENTS AUTOMATICALLY ISSUED BY THE CGRS

The CGRS automatically issues the following documents to recognised refugees:

  • the refugee certificate: this proves that refugee status has been granted by the CGRS.
  • the certificate of identity: when the identity data mentioned on the refugee certificate are different from the data in the waiting register, the CGRS will also draw up a certificate of identity mentioning that the same person is concerned.
  • the birth certificate for children registered on annex 25/26 (asylum application at the border / on Belgian territory) of one of the parents recognised as a refugee.

The CGRS sends these documents by post to the last known address of the recognised refugee.

These documents are issued free of charge.

DOCUMENTS ISSUED ON DEMAND TO RECOGNISED REFUGEES

Recognised refugees, but also employees of  public welfare centres (OCMW/CPAS) and other social services, municipal employees and lawyers acting on behalf of a recognised refugee, can obtain the following documents from the Helpdesk recognised refugees and stateless persons:

  • a certificate of refugee status (e.g. mentioning the date of recognition as a refugee or the period in which the person was recognised as a refugee);
  • a birth certificate if the refugee cannot obtain one in his country of birth;
  • a marriage certificate (if both partners reside in Belgium);
  • a certificate of widowhood;
  • a certificate of divorce;
  • a statement of marital status;
  • a copy of the family composition;
  • an application for a refugee certificate for a child born in Belgium. Conditions: either both parents are recognised refugees or the mother (recognised refugee) is single and the father is not mentioned on the child’s recent birth certificate. The parent(s) must present a recent copy of the child’s birth certificate. They must also have the document ‘Application for the recognition as a refugee of (a) minor child(ren)’ signed by the municipality. The signature of this document by the municipality also legalises the signature(s) of the parent(s).

These documents have to be requested in writing (by post, e-mail or fax):

  • The applicant has to fill in the form called ‘Application for a refugee certificate’. (Can also be downloaded from the webpage Forms, under the ‘Others’ tab).
  • The Helpdesk recognised refugees and stateless persons will process the application as soon as possible and send the requested documents by post.

In the following cases, recognised refugees must come in person to the Helpdesk recognised refugees and stateless persons:

  • if they want to apply for an exemption of authentication of a document of marital status;
  • if they want to renounce refugee status;
  • if they have been struck off and want to apply for a refugee certificate;
  • if they want to get back original documents deposited with the CGRS during or after the asylum procedure.
Documents for recognised refugees who have obtained Belgian citizenship

Recognised refugees who have obtained Belgian citizenship can contact the Helpdesk recognised refugees and stateless persons for:

  • a certified true copy of a birth certificate, marriage certificate…
  • a statement of marital status
  • a certificate about the period during which refugee status was enjoyed (i.e. from the date of recognition until the date on which Belgian citizenship was granted).

The CGRS issues these documents free of charge.

These documents have to be requested in writing (by post, e-mail or fax):
• The applicant has to fill in the form called ‘Application for a refugee certificate’ (which can be downloaded from http://www.cgrs.be/en/forms, under the ‘Others’ tab).
• The Helpdesk recognised refugees and stateless persons will process the application as soon as possible and send the requested documents by post.

Recognised refugees who have obtained Belgian citizenship and want to get back original documents deposited with the CGRS during or after their asylum procedure must come in person to the Helpdesk recognised refugees and stateless persons.

Documents issued to recognised stateless persons

Persons recognised as stateless persons by a Belgian court are unable to obtain a number of documents in their country of birth or former residence.
They can request the following documents from the Helpdesk recognised refugees and stateless persons:

  • a birth certificate;
  • a certificate of marriage (if both partners reside in Belgium);
  • a certificate of widowhood;
  • a certificate of divorce;
  • a statement of marital status.

The CGRS issues these documents free of charge.

These documents have to be requested in writing (by post, e-mail or fax):

  • The applicant has to fill in the form called ‘Application for a refugee certificate’ (which can be downloaded from http://www.cgrs.be/en/forms, under the ‘Others’ tab).
  • The Helpdesk recognised refugees and stateless persons will process the application as soon as possible and send the requested documents by post.
Which persons cannot request documents from the Helpdesk recognised refugees and stateless persons?
  • persons who have been granted subsidiary protection status in Belgium;
  • persons whose residence in Belgium has been legalised;
  • family members of recognised refugees who do not possess refugee status themselves.
Which documents are not issued by the Helpdesk recognised refugees and stateless persons?
  • proofs of identity;
  • passports, travel documents;
  • driving licences;
  • diplomas;
  • formal obligations of guarantee;
  • authentication of signature;

More information about refugee status can be found in the leaflet ‘You are recognised as a refugee in Belgium'.