What is a Serbian Apostille?
A Serbian Apostille is a stamp, form, content, and purpose of which are defined by the 1961 Hague Convention. The Serbian Apostille contains information only in the Serbian language.
The process of affixing an apostille is simplified and more straightforward since consulate staff do not participate in the notarization process.
Yugoslavia signed the Convention on October 5, 1961, ratified it on September 25, 1962, and it entered into force for Yugoslavia on January 24, 1965. After its dissolution, successor states Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, North Macedonia, Serbia and Montenegro, and Slovenia declared themselves bound by the Convention. Following the dissolution of Serbia and Montenegro, the successor state Serbia and the successor state Montenegro declared themselves bound by the Convention.
Thus, Serbia became a member of the Hague Convention as early as 1992. Documents obtained before February 1992 cannot be apostilled. Such documents need to be redone into the new format.
Apostille Authorities in Serbia
Where to obtain (make, affix) an apostille in Serbia? It all depends on the documents you want to apostille.
Serbian civil status documents (marriage certificate, birth certificate, divorce certificate, death certificate, civil status certificate) are apostilled in first-instance courts.
In Serbia, the first-instance court is responsible for issuing the apostille certificate for official documents drawn up, issued, or certified by authorities, signed by the president of the first-instance court or a judge authorized by them, and sealed with the court’s seal.
What Does a Serbian Apostille Look Like?
Photo of a Serbian apostille:
The apostille certification is carried out by printing, stamping, or typographic printing or affixing a stamp on a self-adhesive paper document.
Text of the Serbian Apostille
A P O S T I L L E
(Hague Convention of October 5, 1961)
1. Country: ________________________________________
That this public document
2. signed by _______________________________
3. in the capacity of ______________________________________
4. supplied with the seal, stamp of _______________________ _________________________________________________
states
5. in _______________
6. on the date ___________________
7. (name of the authority) ______________________________ _________________________________________________
8. under no. ________
9. Seal (stamp):
10. Signature ___________ _________
Translation of the Serbian Apostille into English
(Hague Convention of October 5, 1961)
1. Country:
This official document
2. Signed by: __________________ (by whom, last name, first name)
3. As: ___________
4. Supplied with a seal / stamp: _________________
Asserts
5. in: _______________ (city)
6. Date: __________________
7. (Name of the authority): ______________________
8. Under number ____________________
9. Seal / stamp
What documents can be apostilled in Serbia and which documents are accepted in Serbia with an apostille?
In Serbia, documents issued by competent Serbian authorities are apostilled: certificates and extracts from civil status authorities, the Ministry of Internal Affairs, and other government agencies.
The apostille applies to documents issued by state judicial authorities, prosecutors, court registries and bailiffs, administrative documents, documents issued or certified by a notary, official statements about entries in state registers, and official certifications of signatures on private documents.
The apostille does not apply to documents issued by diplomatic and consular representatives or documents directly related to commercial or customs transactions.
Regarding specific categories of certificates and documents, the table below presents outgoing and incoming apostilles for document categories:
| Outgoing and incoming apostilles for document categories | Issuance | Acceptance |
|---|---|---|
| Certificates of origin | X | X |
| Export licenses | – | – |
| Import licenses | – | – |
| Health protection certificates issued by relevant state authorities or agencies | X | X |
| Product registration certificates | – | – |
| Conformity certificates | – | – |
| End-user certificates (i.e., documents certifying that the buyer is the end user of the purchased goods) | – | – |
| Commercial invoices | – |
For which countries is an apostille not required, and consular legalization is not required for Serbian documents?
Serbia has concluded a number of agreements on civil matters that exempt the parties from legalization and apostille. These countries are: People’s Democratic Republic of Algeria, Commonwealth of Australia, Republic of Austria, Kingdom of Belgium, Republic of Belarus, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Republic of Bulgaria, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, Republic of Greece, Republic of Iraq, Islamic Republic of Iran, Italian Republic, Japan, Republic of Cyprus, Hungary, Republic of North Macedonia, Mongolia, New Zealand, Kingdom of Norway, Republic of Poland, Romania, Russian Federation, United States, Slovak Republic, Republic of Slovenia, Republic of Turkey, French Republic, Kingdom of the Netherlands, Republic of Croatia, Montenegro, Czech Republic, Swiss Confederation, United Arab Emirates
Why is an apostille needed for Serbian documents if they are already certified by Serbian officials?
Officials certify documents, including signatures and stamps, frequently, and they often change. To ensure the authenticity and truthfulness of the document, to avoid forgery, it is necessary to check whether the signature of the official corresponds to their signature and stamp samples.
With such a volume of documents, it is very difficult to check signatures and stamps on them in a short time. This is especially difficult for those who accept Serbian documents abroad.
To facilitate work with documents, the Apostille procedure was introduced. When several Serbian officials verify the signatures of many Serbian officials and affix an apostille. This reduces the time for document processing abroad and the waiting time for applicants. In such a system, it is easier for local officials responsible for the Apostille to check signatures, stamps, documents themselves (their forms and contents).
There are two procedures for such confirmation. The first procedure is the most secure and proven – it is legalization of documents. One official signs the documents (who issues them), then the documents (official’s signature) are certified by a ministry (agency or municipality, another Serbian authority), then the last signature is checked and certified by the consulate of the country where the documents need to be submitted. Verification is based on a compiled signature database.
The second procedure is simplified and bypasses at least one link in this chain. Such a procedure is approved by the 1961 Apostille Convention. An apostille – significantly simplifies the procedure for recognizing documents of one state – on the territory of another.
Can an apostille be placed at the Consulate of Serbia?
According to the Hague Convention on Apostille, an apostille cannot be affixed to Serbian documents at the Consulate of Serbia. And this does not depend on the country where the consulate is located, whether it is Georgia, an EU country, Ukraine, Russia, Moldova, Tajikistan, and so on. At the consulate, only Serbian documents can be legalized if such a procedure is required for the country where you will submit them (the country is not part of the apostille).
Is there an electronic apostille – E-apostille (e-App) in Serbia?
Unfortunately, the procedure for online apostille verification is not yet in place in Serbia. This is hindered by the complex system of Serbian authorities that affix the apostille. Such a system is still under development.
According to internal legislation, electronic/digital signatures are not used and not recognized in Serbia as equivalent to handwritten signatures (i.e., a public document may not be signed electronically).
Electronic apostille registries have been developed to combat fraud and abuses. With the help of an electronic apostille registry, any interested party can visually verify the apostille of a document and the scanned document.
When is authentication (legalization) of translation required?
Even if the original document has a Hague apostille, it must be translated into the language of the country where you intend to use it. The safest option is to use a court translator in the respective language, as only they in the Republic of Serbia can legalize the translated official document with their signature and stamp. In Belgrade, Serbia, you can entrust us with the translation of a document with a Hague apostille, as we have court translators with experience in any language, which will save your time.
The court translator not only translates the original document but also the apostille itself. Some institutions require the translation to be apostilled along with the original document, and sometimes it is sufficient to have the translation certified (the already translated document attached to the original is submitted to the court of first instance for certification). Additionally, it is often necessary for both the translation and the original document to be signed by a guarantor. In any case, after receiving the certified original documents, make copies of them.
Since each institution has its internal rules, it is important to clarify in advance with them:
– which documents are necessary for traveling abroad,
– which documents need to be translated,
– whether only the original document needs to be legalized or the translation as well with the Hague Convention stamp,
– whether sealing the translation with the original by a guarantor is required or if a photocopy is sufficient.
If you have any doubts about the Hague apostille, it is best to contact the institution to which the translation is being provided and clarify the list of documents and their requirements.