Getting Married in Serbia as a Foreigner: The Complete Guide
A practical, step-by-step guide for international couples and expats getting married in Serbia — the legal process, documents, timeline, costs and what to expect on the day.
Updated 29 June 2026 · 9 min read
Serbia is an increasingly popular place to get married — for diaspora couples returning to family roots, for expats living in Belgrade or Novi Sad, and for international couples drawn by the venues, food and value. The good news: the legal process is straightforward and there is no residency requirement. The key is getting your paperwork right before you arrive.
This guide walks you through the whole process end to end. It's a general overview — exact requirements vary by nationality and by municipality, so always confirm the final document list with the specific registry office (matičar) where you'll marry and with your embassy.
Civil vs. religious marriage
Only a civil marriage, performed before a registrar (matičar) at the registry office, is legally binding in Serbia. Many couples also hold a religious or symbolic ceremony, but that is separate and has no legal effect on its own. If a church wedding matters to you, plan the civil ceremony as the legal step and the religious one as the celebration.
Who can marry
- Two foreign nationals can marry in Serbia.
- A foreigner can marry a Serbian citizen.
- Both partners must be of legal age and freely consenting, and neither may already be married.
The documents you'll need
This is the part to start early. Foreign documents almost always need to be apostilled (under the Hague Convention) in the country that issued them, and then translated into Serbian by a court-certified translator in Serbia. Typical requirements include:
- A valid passport for each partner.
- A birth certificate — ideally on the multilingual/international form, or apostilled and translated.
- A certificate of no impediment to marriage (proof you are free to marry / single status), where required for your nationality.
- If either partner was previously married: a divorce decree or the death certificate of the former spouse, apostilled and translated.
We cover the paperwork in detail, with the apostille and translation steps, in our dedicated guide: Documents for a civil wedding in Serbia (for foreigners).
Always verify the exact list with the registry office where you intend to marry. Some municipalities ask for additional or differently-formatted documents, and rules can change.
The step-by-step process
- Check requirements early. Contact the registry office in the city where you want to marry and your embassy. Document gathering (apostille + translation) is the slowest part — start 2–3 months ahead.
- Gather and legalise documents. Apostille in the issuing country, then have certified translations done in Serbia.
- Appear in person to apply. Both partners visit the matičar to submit documents and book a ceremony date.
- Arrange an interpreter if needed. If either of you doesn't understand Serbian, a court-certified interpreter must be present at the ceremony (you arrange and pay for this).
- Bring two witnesses. The ceremony requires two witnesses with valid photo ID. They don't need to be Serbian.
- The ceremony. Civil ceremonies are usually held at the registry office; many municipalities also allow ceremonies at approved external venues for an additional fee.
- Collect your marriage certificate (izvod iz matične knjige venčanih). Request the multilingual/international form, or apostille a standard copy, so it's accepted in your home country.
How long does it take?
The ceremony itself is quick. The realistic timeline is driven by document preparation — apostilles and certified translations — plus booking a slot at the registry office. Plan on at least 4–8 weeks from starting your paperwork, and longer in peak season (May, June and September fill up fast).
What it costs
Getting legally married is inexpensive in Serbia — administrative fees are modest. The real budget goes to the celebration: venue, food, photography, music and so on. For a full breakdown in euros, see How much a wedding in Serbia costs, and estimate your own with our free budget calculator.
Planning the celebration
Once the legal side is handled, the fun begins. Our free, English-language tools help you plan without spreadsheets:
- Budget calculator — estimate the total by guest count, city and tier.
- Guest list — track RSVPs and your confirmed headcount.
- Day-of timeline — plan the flow of the wedding day.
- Seating plan — arrange tables visually.
- Checklist — every task, organised by phase.
Marrying in a specific city? Start with Getting married in Belgrade.
A note on accuracy
Rules for international marriages depend on your nationality and the municipality, and they change over time. Treat this guide as orientation, not legal advice — always confirm the current requirements with the registry office where you'll marry and with your embassy or consulate.
Frequently asked questions
- Can two foreigners get married in Serbia?
- Yes. Serbia allows marriages where both partners are foreign nationals, as well as marriages between a foreigner and a Serbian citizen. The civil ceremony takes place at a local registry office (matičar).
- Is a religious wedding legally valid in Serbia?
- No. Only a civil marriage performed before a registrar (matičar) is legally binding in Serbia. A religious ceremony can be held separately, but it does not by itself create a legal marriage.
- Do I need to be a resident of Serbia to marry there?
- No. There is no residency requirement to marry in Serbia. You do, however, both need to appear in person, present the required documents, and (if you don't speak Serbian) have a certified court interpreter at the ceremony.
- Will our Serbian marriage be recognised in our home country?
- In most cases yes, but you should confirm with your home authorities. Ask the registry office for the marriage certificate on the multilingual (international) form, or have a standard certificate apostilled, so it is accepted abroad.