Would you like to know if there is a file in the archives of the former military courts about your (grand)parents or other family members concerning the repression of collaboration? It is important to know where the person in question lived at the end of WWII to request information from the competent State Archives.

Since spring 2022, to better assist researchers and descendants in the future, the original archival series of the military courts are being reassembled. Pallets with files have since been sent from the National Archives 2 - Joseph Cuvelier repository to the State Archives of Arlon, Antwerp, Mons, Bruges, Tournai, Eupen, Ghent, Hasselt, Kortrijk, Leuven, Liège, Louvain-la-Neuve, and Namur.

The National Archives 2 - Joseph Cuvelier repository continues to preserve the archives of the military prosecutor’s office, the military tribunal, and the military court of Brussels.

Requesting permission to consult files

Judicial archives can be consulted under certain conditions. Citizens who, for any reason, wish to consult one or more files concerning the repression of collaboration must, after contacting the competent State Archives, submit a reasoned request for access to the College of Prosecutors General via email (parfed.arch-mil@just.fgov.be), specifying the name and first name of the person(s) to whom the research relates. If possible, provide additional information such as place and date of birth, address, date of conviction, and any references (of archival documents or files) provided by the archivists.

Consultation of files

In case of a positive response from the College of Prosecutors General, the files can be consulted by appointment at the competent State Archives.

Reading tips

• DROSSENS Paul, MARTENS Christophe, and PICRON Delphine, Military Justice Archives Guide, Guides Series No. 89, National Archives of Belgium, Brussels, 2015 (only available in digital format – click on the title to download the PDF).
• PLISNIER Flore, The Military Jurisdictions: Research Guide, Guides Series No. 31, National Archives of Belgium, Brussels, 2012 (paper version: €5.00 + possible shipping costs – digital version available via the link on the title).

Page update: February 18, 2025