Do foreign documents need an apostille to marry in Serbia?

Usually yes. Documents issued abroad (such as a birth certificate or certificate of no impediment) typically need a Hague apostille from the issuing country, and then a certified translation into Serbian. Some multilingual/international civil-status forms are accepted without further legalisation.

Do my documents need to be translated into Serbian?

Yes, in most cases. Foreign-language documents must be translated by a court-certified (sworn) translator in Serbia. Multilingual international forms issued under the relevant conventions may be exempt — confirm with the registry office.

What is a certificate of no impediment to marriage?

It is an official statement that you are free to marry (not currently married). Depending on your nationality it may be issued by your home authorities or your embassy. Not every country issues one, so ask your embassy what the equivalent is.

How recent do the documents need to be?

Registry offices often expect civil-status documents (like a certificate of no impediment) to be recent — frequently issued within the last six months. Check the validity window with the matičar before you apostille and translate.

Documents for a Civil Wedding in Serbia (For Foreigners)

Exactly which documents foreigners need to get married in Serbia — passports, birth certificates, certificate of no impediment, apostille and certified translation, explained step by step.

Updated 29 June 2026 · 8 min read

The single biggest factor in how smoothly your Serbian wedding goes is paperwork prepared in advance. The ceremony is quick; assembling, legalising and translating foreign documents is what takes time. This guide explains what you typically need and the order to do it in.

Requirements vary by nationality and by municipality, and they change. Always confirm the exact, current list with the registry office (matičar) where you will marry and with your embassy before you spend money on apostilles and translations.

The core documents

For each partner, expect to provide:

Valid passport (and a copy). This is your primary ID as a foreigner.
Birth certificate. Ideally on the multilingual / international form; otherwise the standard certificate with an apostille and a certified Serbian translation.
Certificate of no impediment to marriage (proof of single / free-to-marry status), where your nationality requires it. Some embassies issue this, or an equivalent affidavit.
Evidence of any previous marriage ending, if applicable: a divorce decree or the former spouse's death certificate, apostilled and translated.

Apostille: what it is and where to get it

An apostille is a standardised certificate that legalises a public document for use in another country that is party to the Hague Apostille Convention. Crucially, you get the apostille in the country that issued the document — not in Serbia. For example, a UK birth certificate is apostilled by the UK authority; a US document by the relevant US state/federal authority.

Do this before you travel, because obtaining an apostille from abroad later is slow and frustrating.

Certified translation into Serbian

Once apostilled, foreign-language documents generally must be translated into Serbian by a court-certified (sworn) translator in Serbia. This is usually easy to arrange locally and relatively quick. Keep both the original (apostilled) document and the certified translation together.

One useful exception: civil-status records issued on multilingual international forms (under the relevant CIEC/EU conventions) are often accepted without an additional apostille or translation. If your country can issue these, it can save you a step — ask the registry office whether they'll accept them.

A simple order of operations

Ask first. Contact the matičar and your embassy for the exact list and the accepted formats.
Order fresh civil-status documents (birth certificate, no-impediment certificate) — note any "issued within X months" rule.
Apostille them in the issuing country.
Travel to Serbia with the originals.
Get certified translations done in Serbia.
Submit in person at the registry office and book your date.

On the day

Bring your passports, the two witnesses (with valid photo ID), and — if either partner doesn't understand Serbian — a court-certified interpreter, which you arrange in advance. The registrar conducts the ceremony and you receive your marriage certificate.

After the wedding

Ask for your marriage certificate (izvod iz matične knjige venčanih) on the multilingual/international form, or have a copy apostilled, so your home country recognises it. If you plan to change your name, ask the registry office about the procedure.

Keep going

The full picture: Getting married in Serbia as a foreigner
Budget it in euros: How much a wedding in Serbia costs
Start planning: our free wedding tools work entirely in English.

This is general information, not legal advice. Confirm current requirements with the registry office and your embassy.

Frequently asked questions

Do foreign documents need an apostille to marry in Serbia?: Usually yes. Documents issued abroad (such as a birth certificate or certificate of no impediment) typically need a Hague apostille from the issuing country, and then a certified translation into Serbian. Some multilingual/international civil-status forms are accepted without further legalisation.
Do my documents need to be translated into Serbian?: Yes, in most cases. Foreign-language documents must be translated by a court-certified (sworn) translator in Serbia. Multilingual international forms issued under the relevant conventions may be exempt — confirm with the registry office.
What is a certificate of no impediment to marriage?: It is an official statement that you are free to marry (not currently married). Depending on your nationality it may be issued by your home authorities or your embassy. Not every country issues one, so ask your embassy what the equivalent is.
How recent do the documents need to be?: Registry offices often expect civil-status documents (like a certificate of no impediment) to be recent — frequently issued within the last six months. Check the validity window with the matičar before you apostille and translate.