Status issues and civil registry

ISSUANCE OF VITAL RECORDS AND CITIZENSHIP CERTIFICATES

The Embassy issues extracts from the birth, marriage, and death registers (in both domestic and international formats), as well as certificates of Serbian citizenship or non-citizenship.

The Embassy may also assist in obtaining a certificate of no impediment to marriage (proof of single status) from Serbia for marriage abroad.

REGISTRATION OF BIRTH ABROAD

A child born abroad may acquire Citizenship of the Republic of Serbia by descent, ie. origin of parents, if at least one parent at the time of its birth is a citizen of the Republic of Serbia. These conditions also apply to persons over the age of 18 and up to the age of 23.

Application is made at the Embassy of the Republic of Serbia in Washington DC, by the parent who is a citizens of the Republic of Serbia, however consent of both parents is required. The application is then forwarded to the Registry Office in Serbia for processing, in the last place of residence of a parent. 

To register the birth and citizenship of a child born overseas, the following is required:

1.            Application for registration of Birth completed and signed by both parents, as well as the child, if over the age of 18. If the application is submitted by post, signatures must be witnessed by a JP. If the application is being made by a single parent, written consent of the other parent or a parenting court order is required.  

2.            Application for Citizenship completed and signed by the parent who held the citizenship of R. Serbia at the time of the child's birth, withnessed by a consular officer or JP.

3.            For children over the age of 14, their consent is also required, by signing the consent from. Child's consent form is signed in front of a Consular Officer in Sydney or by a Justice of the Piece, if lodging the application by post.

4.            Original birth certificate of the child, issued by authorities, which MUST be legalised by "APOSTILLE" certificate and translated into Serbian language by a certified translator cirilic letter.

5.            Copy of Serbian Citizenship Certificate of the parents. If one parent is not a Serbian citizen, proof of other citizenship is required.

6.            Proof of residence in USA (visa grant letter, passport).

7.            Photocopy of passport of both parents and the child, or another document of identification with a photograph.

8.            Marriage Certificate of parents. If parents were married outside of Serbia, marriage needs to be registered in the Registry of Marriages in Serbia - see section on "Notification of Marriage" under Consular Services. If parents are not married, evidence of paternal recognition is required (legal document or signed and certified Statement), written or translated into Serbian language by an authorised translator cirilic letter.

Application fee:  $10.00 for birth + $10.00 for married If applying by post, fees are payable by money order to “The Embassy of the Republic of Serbia”.

Please Note: all documents issued by foreign authorities must be legalised by Apostille, in order to be accepted by the Serbian authorities. Apostille certificates are issued by the relevant government department.

CHILD’S NAME IN SERBIA

The name to be used in Serbia (first and last name combined) must not exceed three words. If it does, a statement on name abbreviation must be signed.

The child may bear one or both parents' surnames. If only one parent is listed on the birth certificate, the child must bear that parent’s surname.

If child bears name of the parent not listed on the birth certificate, the missing parent must sign Attestation of Paternity.

ACKNOWLEDGMENT OF PATERNITY

Serbian citizen father of a child born out of wedlock may acknowledge paternity at the Consulate, in the presence of both parents with their valid passports. If the child is over 14, his/her presence is also required.

REGISTRATION OF MARRIAGE CONCLUDED ABROAD

To register a marriage for entry into the Serbian marriage registry, the following must be submitted:

  • Completed Marriage Registration form signed by the Serbian spouse(s);
  • Statement on the post-marriage surname, signed by both spouses;
  • Original foreign marriage certificate, apostilled and translated into Serbian in Cyrillic by a Serbian court-certified translator (original and translation are retained);
  • Valid Serbian passport(s) or foreign passport of non-Serbian spouse

Consular fee: 10 USD (cash or Money Order)

If submitted by mail, all signatures and passport copies must be notarized.

VITAL RECORDS AND CITIZENSHIP CERTIFICATES

Birth, Marriage, Death, and Citizenship Certificates are issued to the person named in the record, their close family members (parents, children, spouses, and siblings), adoptive parents or guardians only.

Required documents:

  • Completed request form;
  • Valid ID document (passport or ID card);
  • Proof of name change if applicable (e.g., foreign marriage certificate, court decision, naturalization certificate);
  • Proof of relationship if requesting someone else’s certificate

Fees (cash or Money Order)

Domestic form: 28 USD

International form (per Vienna Convention): 30 USD

CERTIFICATE OF NO IMPEDIMENT TO MARRIAGE

To obtain this certificate from Serbia, provide:

  • Completed request form;
  • Valid Serbian passport or ID;
  • Copy of ID of intended spouse.

Fee: 50 USD (cash or Money Order)

All mailed documents must be notarized and accompanied by a prepaid return envelope.

CHANGE OF NAME

Serbian citizens who change their name abroad (e.g., due to naturalization or court decision) should also initiate a name change process in Serbia to ensure consistency in official records.

The name change must be submitted in person or through an authorized representative to the local municipal administration in Serbia.