Process service · Europe & UKOverview
Process Server in Belgium: How Service of Process Works
Belgium has not objected to any of the Article 10 alternatives, so requests can proceed through licensed huissiers de justice directly, or through the formal Central Authority, the federal Service Public Fédéral (SPF) Justice in Brussels. Direct requests to a huissier under Article 10(b) are channeled through the Chambre nationale des Huissiers de Justice in Brussels. Because Belgium has three official language regions, documents must be translated into French, Dutch, or German depending on where in the country service is to be effected.
Who serves process
Who Can Serve Legal Documents in Belgium
Belgium is a civil-law country, and service is carried out by a judicial officer (huissier de justice in French, gerechtsdeurwaarder in Dutch). The Central Authority is the Federal Public Service Justice in Brussels, which sends requests to a judicial officer for the area where the person lives.
Belgium has not objected to any Article 10 method, so postal service and direct service by a Belgian judicial officer, arranged through the National Chamber of Judicial Officers, are available. Belgium may require a translation into the official language of the place of service (French, Dutch or German), and judicial officers' costs must be paid in advance.
Typical documents include summonses and complaints (citation / dagvaarding), court orders and notices.
Proof you receive: certificate or sworn affidavit
The judicial officer prepares an official act of service, and through the Central Authority you receive the Hague Certificate of Service.
Huissier de Justice Direct Service
We engage a licensed huissier de justice to serve documents directly under Article 10(b), routed through the Chambre nationale des Huissiers de Justice — typically faster than the formal federal Central Authority channel.
SPF Justice Central Authority Filing
For the formal treaty channel, we submit requests to the SPF Justice in Brussels, which coordinates with the appropriate court registries and huissiers based on the defendant's region.
Region-Correct Translation (French, Dutch, or German)
Belgium's three official language regions each have their own translation requirement. We prepare the correct translation based on exactly where in Belgium the defendant is located.
Treaties
Hague Service Convention and Belgium
Belgium is a party to the Hague Service Convention, so documents can be sent to its Central Authority, which arranges service and returns a Certificate of Service. On Article 10: Belgium has not objected to Article 10, so postal service and direct service by a Belgian judicial officer are available.
Belgium is not a party to the Hague Evidence Convention, so requests for witness testimony or documents go through letters rogatory.
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