🏛️

Apostille in Serbia — complete guide

Step-by-step guide to getting an Apostille stamp in Serbia — for every document type, with a list of courts and practical tips.

5 min readUpdated:27 April 2026

Process — step by step

Obtain original document

Go to the registry office, court, school or MUP — depending on document type. The document must be an original or certified copy. Plain photocopies are not accepted.

Take document to Basic Court

Take the original to the Basic Court clerk's office. For criminal record certificates, the MUP issues the Apostille, not the court.

Pay court fee

The fee is approximately 3,860 RSD (~33 EUR). Payment in court stamps (available at post offices or courts) or by bank transfer. Some courts also accept card payments.

Pick up document with Apostille

At most courts, the Apostille is ready the same day or within 1-3 business days. The Apostille is printed on a special form and attached to the document.

Order: Apostille before translation!

Always get the Apostille before taking the document for translation. The court translator also translates the Apostille stamp itself, which is mandatory for use abroad.

What you need for each document type

Registry

Birth certificate

Obtained from the registry office (municipality or city administration). If using for Germany — request a CIEC multilingual extract and save on Apostille and translation!

For standard extract: Apostille at Basic Court + sworn translation.

Registry

Marriage certificate

Obtained from the registry office. Also available as a CIEC multilingual extract. For Anmeldung with family in Germany, the CIEC extract is the fastest option.

MUP

Criminal record certificate

Obtained from the MUP (police administration), not the registry office. The Apostille is also issued by the MUP, not the Basic Court. Validity: 6 months from date of issue.

You can also apply electronically via eUprave (euprava.gov.rs).

Education

Diploma / School certificate

Original diploma or certified copy from the school/university. Apostille at the Basic Court. For recognition in Germany, you usually also need a sworn translation of the diploma and diploma supplement.

Court

Divorce decree

The final decree is obtained from the court that handled the proceedings. It must bear the finality clause. Apostille at the Basic Court. This is usually the most extensive document for translation (10+ pages).

Registry

Death certificate

Obtained from the registry office. Available as a CIEC multilingual extract. Needed for inheritance proceedings or rights transfer abroad.

Basic Courts in major cities

You can get the Apostille at any Basic Court in Serbia, regardless of where the document was issued. Here are addresses of the most visited courts:

Belgrade

First Basic Court in Belgrade
Bulevar Nikole Tesle 42a
Working hours: Mon-Fri, 7:30-15:30
Note: appointment scheduling recommended

Novi Sad

Basic Court in Novi Sad
Sutjeska 3
Working hours: Mon-Fri, 7:30-15:30

Niš

Basic Court in Niš
Vojvode Mišića 12
Working hours: Mon-Fri, 7:30-15:30

Kragujevac

Basic Court in Kragujevac
Trg Slobode 3
Working hours: Mon-Fri, 7:30-15:30

Any Basic Court

You don't need to go to the court in the city where the document was issued. If you live in Belgrade and the extract is from Kragujevac — feel free to get the Apostille in Belgrade. The only exception is the criminal record which goes to MUP.

Electronic Apostille (eApostille)

Since 2023, Serbia has introduced electronic Apostilles for certain document types. This means you don't have to physically go to court.

Advantages of eApostille

✓No court visit — everything online

✓Faster processing — usually same day

✓Digital signature — equally valid

✓Ideal for diaspora — apply from abroad

Limited availability

Electronic Apostille is not yet available for all document types. Check on the portal eSud (esud.pravosudje.rs) whether your document type qualifies for electronic issuance. The system is gradually expanding to new document categories.

Important notes

Originals or certified copies only

Apostille is placed only on original documents or certified copies (certified by court or notary). Plain photocopies, scanned documents or printouts are not accepted.

Document validity period

Although the Apostille itself has no expiry date, German institutions often require documents no older than 6 months. Check the requirements of the institution you're submitting to before obtaining documents.

Obtaining from abroad

If you're in Germany and cannot go to Serbia in person, you can authorize someone with a power of attorney to obtain documents and get the Apostille on your behalf. See our power of attorney guide.

Frequently asked questions

Can I get the Apostille on the same day?

Yes, at most Basic Courts in Serbia the Apostille is issued the same day, usually within 1-2 hours. In larger cities (Belgrade, Novi Sad) there may be queues, so it's recommended to arrive early in the morning. Some courts require appointment scheduling — check the court's website.

Does the Apostille have an expiry date?

The Apostille stamp itself has no expiry date — it's valid permanently. However, the document on which the Apostille is placed may have a validity period. For example, criminal record certificates are typically valid for 6 months, birth certificates are typically valid for 6 months for use abroad (depending on the requesting institution).

Can someone else pick up my Apostille?

Yes. You don't need to pick up the Apostille in person — you can authorize anyone with a power of attorney (doesn't need to be certified) or even without one if you have a submission receipt. Many courts allow a family member to pick up the document with just an ID card.

What if the document was issued in another city?

The Apostille can be issued by any Basic Court in Serbia, not just the court in the city where the document was issued. For example, if the birth certificate was issued in Niš, you can get the Apostille in Belgrade. What matters is that it's a Basic Court.

Related guides

Certified translation

Sworn translator, stamped translation — how it's recognized across DACH countries.

Documents and certifications

Apostille, translations, legalization — which documents you need and how to get them certified.

Power of attorney

Generator for real-estate, inheritance, bank, and court powers of attorney — consular or notarial.

Sources: Hague Apostille Convention (1961), Law on Court Fees (Official Gazette RS no. 28/94 with amendments), eSud portal.

Last updated: March 2026.

Back to Documents guide Sworn translation — guide

Process — step by step

Obtain original document

Go to the registry office, court, school or MUP — depending on document type. The document must be an original or certified copy. Plain photocopies are not accepted.

Take document to Basic Court

Take the original to the Basic Court clerk's office. For criminal record certificates, the MUP issues the Apostille, not the court.

Pay court fee

The fee is approximately 3,860 RSD (~33 EUR). Payment in court stamps (available at post offices or courts) or by bank transfer. Some courts also accept card payments.

Pick up document with Apostille

At most courts, the Apostille is ready the same day or within 1-3 business days. The Apostille is printed on a special form and attached to the document.

Order: Apostille before translation!

Always get the Apostille before taking the document for translation. The court translator also translates the Apostille stamp itself, which is mandatory for use abroad.

What you need for each document type

Registry

Birth certificate

Obtained from the registry office (municipality or city administration). If using for Germany — request a CIEC multilingual extract and save on Apostille and translation!

For standard extract: Apostille at Basic Court + sworn translation.

Registry

Marriage certificate

Obtained from the registry office. Also available as a CIEC multilingual extract. For Anmeldung with family in Germany, the CIEC extract is the fastest option.

MUP

Criminal record certificate

Obtained from the MUP (police administration), not the registry office. The Apostille is also issued by the MUP, not the Basic Court. Validity: 6 months from date of issue.

You can also apply electronically via eUprave (euprava.gov.rs).

Education

Diploma / School certificate

Court

Divorce decree

Registry

Death certificate

Obtained from the registry office. Available as a CIEC multilingual extract. Needed for inheritance proceedings or rights transfer abroad.

Basic Courts in major cities

You can get the Apostille at any Basic Court in Serbia, regardless of where the document was issued. Here are addresses of the most visited courts:

Belgrade

First Basic Court in Belgrade
Bulevar Nikole Tesle 42a
Working hours: Mon-Fri, 7:30-15:30
Note: appointment scheduling recommended

Novi Sad

Basic Court in Novi Sad
Sutjeska 3
Working hours: Mon-Fri, 7:30-15:30

Niš

Basic Court in Niš
Vojvode Mišića 12
Working hours: Mon-Fri, 7:30-15:30

Kragujevac

Basic Court in Kragujevac
Trg Slobode 3
Working hours: Mon-Fri, 7:30-15:30

Any Basic Court

Electronic Apostille (eApostille)

Since 2023, Serbia has introduced electronic Apostilles for certain document types. This means you don't have to physically go to court.

Advantages of eApostille

✓No court visit — everything online

✓Faster processing — usually same day

✓Digital signature — equally valid

✓Ideal for diaspora — apply from abroad

Limited availability

Important notes

Originals or certified copies only

Apostille is placed only on original documents or certified copies (certified by court or notary). Plain photocopies, scanned documents or printouts are not accepted.

Document validity period

Obtaining from abroad

If you're in Germany and cannot go to Serbia in person, you can authorize someone with a power of attorney to obtain documents and get the Apostille on your behalf. See our power of attorney guide.

Frequently asked questions

Can I get the Apostille on the same day?

Does the Apostille have an expiry date?

Can someone else pick up my Apostille?

What if the document was issued in another city?