Q1222. How to process Dutch and Flemish translations for the Netherlands and Belgium?

Answered by the NYC Visa & Translation certified translation team

Dutch serves both the Netherlands and the Flemish region of Belgium, and the translation practice differs by destination even though the language is one. The language reality: Dutch is a single standard language with regional variation — Netherlands Dutch and Belgian (Flemish) Dutch differ in some vocabulary, administrative terminology, and institutional names; a translation for Belgian use employs the Belgian administrative terms (the institutions, the document types, the legal vocabulary differ from the Dutch ones because the legal systems differ). Belgium's additional layer: Belgium has three official languages (Dutch, French, German) and the language of the receiving authority depends on the region — Flanders uses Dutch, Wallonia French, Brussels is bilingual; a document submitted to the wrong language region is rejected, so the destination authority's language is confirmed before translating. The certification systems: the Netherlands uses sworn translators registered in the Rbtv register; Belgium uses sworn translators registered with the courts — a translation for official use in either country typically needs the respective country's sworn translator. Both countries are Apostille Convention members, but Thailand is not — the chain for Thai use is consular legalisation. Points that matter: for documents coming into Thailand, the chain is the Dutch/Belgian authentication, the Thai embassy's legalisation, then the Thai translation certified by the MFA; the EU multilingual standard forms may cover civil status documents; and the names' spelling with the Dutch particles (van, de) must match the passport exactly. Practice points: confirm the receiving authority's region and language first; and check whether their sworn translator is required.