How to Apply for Serbian Citizenship from Australia & New Zealand

Connecting with your Serbian heritage whilst taking advantage of Serbian citizenship is now more accessible than ever for Australians and New Zealanders. Beyond the emotional significance of reclaiming your ancestral ties, Serbian citizenship offers practical benefits including visa-free travel to numerous countries and potential pathways to broader European opportunities.

In this guide, we’ll walk you through the key steps—from qualification criteria to document submission—to help you navigate the process smoothly.

Eligibility for Serbian Citizenship

Serbian citizenship is available through several pathways, with descent being the most common for diaspora communities. We’ve provided summaries from the Serbian Consulate General website here to assist you below:

1. Serbian Citizenship by Descent (Jus Sanguinis) – If one or more of your parents was a Serbian citizen at the time of your birth, then up to the age of 23, you may be able to apply for Serbian citizenship by descent. This is often the most straightforward pathway.
2. Serbian Citizenship by Admission – Serbian citizenship is also offered to the following categories of people whose parents were not Serbian citizens at the time of birth:
   • A foreigner with a minimum of three years of residency in Serbia;
   • A foreigner married to a Serbian citizen, and living in Serbia, for at least three years;
   • An emigrant from the Republic of Serbia, or their descendants, who is permanently living overseas;
   • A member of the Serbian people from any of the states of the former Yugoslavia (including Croatia, Bosnia, and Montenegro), or their descendants.

The fourth category is particularly relevant for many Australians and New Zealanders with Serbian heritage whose families may have emigrated from various parts of the former Yugoslavia.

Please note that we are not Migration Agents, nor giving any migration advice, and that we encourage you to contact your local Serbian embassy or consulate for more information.

Required Documents

All official Australian or New Zealand documents must have an Apostille stamp on them. An Apostille stamp verifies that your document is an official document and that the signature on the document is true – only the Australian or New Zealand government can provide this stamp.

Australia: You can organise an Apostille stamp by contacting Notarial Services via this link and by booking an appointment or sending them your document in the post.

New Zealand: You can organise an Apostille stamp by contacting the New Zealand authorities via this link.

○ Important note: If your documents are in English, then they will all need to be translated by an official translator into Serbian. We can help translate your documents for you!

The specific documents required when applying vary based on your eligibility pathway:

For Applicants with Parents or Grandparents who are/were Citizens of Serbia

1. Birth Certificate with Apostille Stamp Translated – You will need an original Australian or New Zealand birth certificate with an apostille stamp affixed to the back of it. Both documents must be translated into Serbian by an official certified Serbian translator.
   ○ Handy Tip: This should be an official Birth Certificate from Births, Deaths, and Marriages in your state or territory, not a baptismal/krštenica (i.e. church issued) certificate.
2. Marriage Certificate with Apostille Stamp Translated – If applicable, you will need an original Australian or New Zealand marriage certificate with an apostille stamp affixed to the back of it. Both documents must be translated into Serbian by an official certified Serbian translator.
   ○ Handy Tip: This should be an official Marriage Certificate from Births, Deaths, and Marriages in your state or territory, not a church issued vjenčanica certificate.
3. Valid Identity Document – Such as an Australian or New Zealand passport, ID card, or driver’s licence.
   ○ Handy Tip: For children over 14 applying with parents, they must provide written consent certified by a Consular Official or Justice of the Peace. A copy of this consent form can be found here.
4. Completed Application Form (Form 4) – Available from the Serbian Embassy’s website in both Word and PDF formats here. Your signature must be certified by either a Justice of the Peace or a Consular Official.
   ○ Handy Tip: If you cannot complete this form in Serbian, we can translate it for you into Serbian.
5. Declaration of Serbian Acceptance – A signed declaration accepting the Republic of Serbia as your country.
   ○ Handy Tip: A copy of this form can be found here. If you cannot write this in Serbian, we can translate it for you.
6. Proof of Emigration from Serbia – This include emigration visas, travel documents or some other evidence showing that your parents or grandparents left Serbia. If these documents are not in Serbian, then they will need to be translated into Serbian by an official certified Serbian translator.
   ○ Handy Tip: You must demonstrate an unbroken connection to your Serbian ancestor. This means providing documents that link each generation from you to the person who first left Serbia.
7. Application Fee – The Serbian government currently charges $440 AUD to apply for Serbian citizenship.

For Applicants with Serbian heritage from the Former Yugoslav Republics

1. Original Birth Certificate with Apostille Stamp Translated – This must be translated into Serbian by a certified translator. The certificate must not be older than 6 months from the date of issue.
   ○ Handy Tip: If you were born in Australia or New Zealand, you must obtain an Apostille stamp on this certificate and have that translated into Serbian as well.
2. Marriage Certificate with Apostille Stamp Translated – If applicable, you will need an original Australian or New Zealand marriage certificate with an apostille stamp affixed to the back of it. Both documents must be translated into Serbian by an official certified Serbian translator.
   ○ Handy Tip: This should be an official Marriage Certificate from Births, Deaths, and Marriages in your state or territory, not a church issued vjenčanica certificate.
3. Completed Application Form (Form 6) – Available from the Serbian Embassy’s website in both Word and PDF formats here. Your signature must be certified by either a Justice of the Peace or a Consular Official.
4. Original Citizenship Certificate (if applicable) – If you were born in other countries of the former Yugoslavia, you’ll need to present an original citizenship certificate demonstrating that you were either born or registered in Croatia, Bosnia, etc. This document must be less than 6 months old.
5. Valid Identity Document – Such as an Australian or New Zealand passport, ID card, or driver’s licence.
6. Proof of Serbian Heritage – Documentation confirming that your parents or grandparents identify as Serbian. This must be translated into Serbian if not already in Serbian.
7. Declaration of Serbian Acceptance – A signed declaration accepting the Republic of Serbia as your country.
   ○ Handy Tip: A copy of this form can be found here. If you cannot write this in Serbian, we can translate it for you.
8. Application Fee – The Serbian government currently charges $440 AUD to apply for Serbian citizenship.

For Parents Applying with Children Under 18

If applying for Serbian citizenship under Form 6 for children as well, you’ll need to provide the following additional documents for each child:

1. Original Birth Certificate for the Child – If born in Australia or New Zealand, this must have an Apostille stamp. Both the birth certificate and the stamp must be translated into Serbian.
2. Written Consent of the Second Parent – Agreement that they consent to their child obtaining Serbian citizenship as found here.
3. Declaration from the Child – Stating that the child accepts the Republic of Serbia as their own country as found here. This must be certified at the Embassy/Consulate or in front of a Justice of the Peace.
4. Written Consent from the Child – Found here and to be included with the application.
5. Copy of Passport or Photo ID – For the child.

Important: All official Australian or New Zealand documents must be translated into Serbian by a NAATI-certified Serbian translator. Our team at Balkan Translations specialises in NAATI-certified translations, ensuring your documents meet all official requirements for a smooth application process.

Where to Submit Your Application in Australia & New Zealand

Applications for Serbian citizenship must be lodged with the Serbian Consulate General in Sydney.

Via Post: You must mail all of your documents to the Consulate General in Sydney. More information about postal details can be found at the link here.

In person: If you want to lodge you application in person, you must first make an appointment with the Consulate General in Sydney. Details on how to do that can be found here.

Additional Considerations

1. Language Requirements – While a formal language test isn’t always required for descent applications, basic Serbian knowledge may be assessed during your application interview.
   ○ Handy Tip: Even basic Serbian conversational skills can significantly improve your application’s chances. Consider taking introductory lessons before your interview.
2. Processing Timeframe – Serbian citizenship applications typically take between 6-18 months to process completely.
3. Travel Advantages – A Serbian passport allows visa-free travel to numerous countries, including Russia, China, and many other destinations.
4. Further opportunities – You can find more information about the benefits of holding Serbian citizenship on the Serbian Ministry of Foreign Affairs website here.

How Balkan Translations Can Help

At Balkan Translations, we specialise in supporting your Serbian citizenship journey with comprehensive translation services:

1. NAATI-Certified Serbian Translations – All our translations meet the rigorous standards required by both Australian/New Zealand and Serbian authorities.
2. Document Package Preparation – We can prepare your entire document package, ensuring all translations maintain consistent terminology and formatting.
3. Digital Translation Services – Submit your documents electronically and receive professional translations without leaving the house.
4. Direct Communication – Speak directly with the translator themselves. No need to engage with middlemen or agencies.
5. We speak your language! – Говоримо српски!

Final Thoughts

The journey to Serbian citizenship represents both a practical opportunity and an emotional reconnection with your heritage. While the process requires adherence to eligibility criteria, the rewards make it worthwhile for eligible applicants.

For the most current application requirements, we recommend contacting your nearest Serbian diplomatic mission directly.

Need support with your Serbian citizenship application? Balkan Translations offers specialised translation services and guidance for Australians and New Zealanders of Serbian heritage. Our experienced team ensures your documents are accurately translated and properly prepared, helping streamline your path to Serbian citizenship.

Disclaimer: Please note that we are not Migration Agents nor do we provide migration advice. We recommend that you further contact the relevant Serbian diplomatic mission for any clarifications or questions.