Citizenship

Citizenship

Matters of citizenship have been regulated by the Law on Citizenship of the Republic of Serbia and the Law on Amendments to the Law on Citizenship of the Republic of Serbia.

ADMISSION OF EMIGRANTS INTO CITIZENSHIP

Emigrant (an individual who emigrated from the Republic of Serbia with the intention of permanently living abroad) and his/her descendant can be admitted into the citizenship of the Republic of Serbia under the condition that he/she is full 18 years old, that his/her work capabilities are not compromised and that he/she submits a written statement stating that he/she recognizes the Republic of Serbia as his/her own country. (Article 18, Law on Citizenship)

The following documents are required:

  1. Completed request for admission into the citizenship (Form drzavljanstvo-iseljenik-clan 18.doc). The signature of the applicant must be notarized by the Notary Public if the request is not submitted in person.
  2. Statement (Form Drzavljanstvo-Izjava.doc) that he/she recognizes the Republic of Serbia as his/her own country. The signature must be notarized by the Notary Public if the request is not submitted in person.
  3. The statement that the competent authority in the Republic of Serbia may officially obtain the data necessary for the decision-making process (ZUP.Obrazac.drzavljanstvo.doc). If the request is submitted along with the statement, in this case, it is not necessary to submit the documents filed in the official records of the Republic of Serbia. If the application is filed along with the given statement, it is not necessary to submit documents under Section 6.
  4. Original Canadian Birth Certificate certified by an Apostille and translated into Serbian language.  Certification with an APOSTILLE stamp is done at Global Affairs of Canada or at provincial offices for legalization of documents. You can find a list of authorized offices for apostille attestation here.  For Toronto its located at 777 Bay Street, lower level Toronto, ON M7A 2J8.
  5. Original Canadian Marriage certificate certified by an Apostille and translated into Serbian language. . Certification with an APOSTILLE stamp is done at Global Affairs of Canada or at provincial offices for legalization of documents. You can find a list of authorized offices for apostille attestation here.  For Toronto its located at 777 Bay Street, lower level Toronto, ON M7A 2J8.
  6. Proof of Canadian Citizenship (Certificate of Canadian Citizenship)
  7. An IMM 1000 Record of Landing (also known as a Landing Paper) - a document that new Permanent Residents received when they landed in Canada prior to July 2002
  8. Birth Certificate for ancestor/s born in the Republic of Serbia and who had citizenship of the Republic of Serbia. This document/s doesn't need to be submitted if the applicant signs a statement allowing the competent authority of the Republic of Serbia to officially obtain the data necessary for the decision-making process, and fill out forms under Section 3.
  9. Photocopies of the old passports and other documents available to the applicant (not photos made by cell phone).
  10. Any document which could be the proof of Serbian origin for ancestors 
  11. Proof of residence in Canada (photocopy of Permanent Residence Card) if not a Canadian citizen.
  12. Photocopy of the Canadian passport (not a photo made by cell phone).
  13. Prepaid envelope in case you are not submitting in person 
  14. Contact information (cell phone number, e-mail address)

In the case where an adolescent is included in the request:

  • Completed request for admission into the citizenship (Form drzavljanstvo-iseljenik-clan 18.doc). The signature of the applicant must be notarized by the Notary Public if the request is not submitted in person.
  • Statement (Form Drzavljanstvo-Izjava.doc) that he/she recognizes the Republic of Serbia as his/her own country. The signature must be notarized by the Notary Public if the request is not submitted in person.
  • Request and statement are signed by the parent.
  • Statement of the agreement by another parent (Form Drzavljanstvo-IzjavaRoditelja-Prijem.doc).
  • A child between 14 and 18 years of age must sign a statement (Form Drzavljanstvo-IzjavaDeteta-Prijem.doc) that he/she is in agreement with the request submitted by the parents for the admission into citizenship.
  • Children born in Canada require an original Birth Certificate legalized at the provincial office for legalization of documents for use abroad (the list of legalization offices) or Global Affairs of Canada if the regional office doesn't exist in your province (Department JLAC of Global Affairs of Canada). It is also necessary to translate it into Serbian.

The consular fee in the amount of 444 CAD is non-refundable. 

Notes:

  • If the request is submitting by the family, the total consular fee for the whole family (parents and children who are minors) amounts 444 CAD.
  • Each document in English must have a certified translation into the Serbian language. 
  • It takes approximately 18 months to process this kind of application by the Ministry of Interior of Serbia.

ADMISSION OF THE MEMBER OF SERBIAN NATION INTO CITIZENSHIP

A member of the Serbian nation, who do not reside within the territory of the Republic of Serbia, may be admitted into the citizenship of the Republic of Serbia provided that he/she is 18 years of age, that his/her work capabilities are not compromised, and that he/she submits a written statement stating that he/she recognizes the Republic of Serbia as his/her own country. (Article 23.1, Law on Citizenship)

The following documents are required:

  1. Completed request for admission into the citizenship (Form drzavljanstvo-clan 23-stav1.doc). The signature of the applicant must be notarized by the Notary Public if the request is not submitted in person.
  2. Statement (Form Drzavljanstvo-Izjava.doc) that he/she recognizes the Republic of Serbia as his/her own country. The signature must be notarized by the Notary Public if the request is not submitted in person.
  3. If an applicant was born in one of the former Republics of Yugoslavia, original Birth Certificate (Rodni list) and the Certificate of Citizenship (Domovnica, Uvjerenje o državljanstvu) not older than 6 months from the date of issuance. If you are a Canadian Citizen too, then you should submit the copy of the Certificate of Naturalization certified by Notary Public along with a translation into the Serbian language.
  4. If an applicant was born in the Republic of Serbia, the following form should be submitted: ZUP.Obrazac.drzavljanstvo.doc, authorizing the authorities of Serbia to obtain necessary documents in Serbia.
  5. If an applicant was born in Canada - Original Birth Certificate certified by an Apostille and translated into Serbian language. Certification with an APOSTILLE stamp is done at Global Affairs of Canada or at provincial offices for legalization of documents. You can find a list of authorized offices for apostille certification here.  For Toronto its located at 777 Bay Street, lower level Toronto, ON M7A 2J8. Also, a certified translation of the same into Serbian is submitted with the extract. In addi
  6. tion, proof of Canadian citizenship - Certificate of Canadian Citizenship, translated into Serbian.
  7. For married applicants:
    1. If the applicant was married in Canada, the original Canadian Marriage Certificate certified by an Apostille and translated into Serbian language.  Certification with an APOSTILLE stamp is done at Global Affairs of Canada or at provincial offices for legalization of documents. You can find a list of authorized offices for apostille certification here.  For Toronto its located at 777 Bay Street, lower level Toronto, ON M7A 2J8.
    2. if the applicant was born in one of former Republics of Yugoslavia, original Marriage Certificate (Vjenčani list), not older than one year since the date of issuance.
  8. Proof of residence in Canada (photocopy of Permanent Residence Card, photocopy of work permit, photocopy of Canadian passport). The photos made with cell phone camera will not be accepted.
  9. Photocopy of passport (not a photo made by cell phone camera).
  10. Prepaid envelope in case you are not submitting in person 
  11. Contact information (cell phone number, e-mail address)

In the case where an adolescent is included in the request:

  • Completed request for admission into the citizenship (Form drzavljanstvo-clan 23-stav1.doc). The signature of the applicant must be notarized by the Notary Public if the request is not submitted in person.
  • Statement (Form Drzavljanstvo-Izjava.doc) that he/she recognizes the Republic of Serbia as his/her own country. The signature must be notarized by the Notary Public if the request is not submitted in person.
  • Request and statement are signed by the parent.
  • Statement of the consent by the other parent (Form Drzavljanstvo-IzjavaRoditelja-Prijem.doc).
  • A child between 14 and 18 years of age must sign a statement (Form Drzavljanstvo-IzjavaDeteta-Prijem.doc) that he/she is in agreement with the request submitted by the parents for the admission into citizenship.
  • For a child born in Canada, it is necessary to submit the original birth certificate certified with an apostille seal. Certification with an APOSTILLE stamp is done at Global Affairs of Canada or at provincial offices for legalization of documents. You can find a list of authorized offices for apostille attestation here.  For Toronto its located at 777 Bay Street, lower level Toronto, ON M7A 2J8. Also, a translation into Serbian is submitted with the extract.

The consular fee in the amount of 444 CAD is non-refundable.  (ways to pay)

Notes:

  • If the request is submitting by the family, the total consular fee for the whole family (parents and children who are minors) amounts 444 CAD. Children older than 18 years of age must have separate application and are paying consular fee in full.
  • Each document in English must have a translation into the Serbian language. 
  • It takes approximately 12 months to process this kind of application by the Ministry of Interior of Serbia.

 

ADMISSION TO CITIZENSHIP OF THE REPUBLIC OF SERBIA – REFUGEES, EXPELLED OR DISPLACED PERSONS

A person born in another republic of the former Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia (SFRY), who held the citizenship of that republic or is a citizen of another state established in the territory of the former SFRY, and who resides in Canada as a refugee, expelled person, or displaced person, may be admitted to the citizenship of the Republic of Serbia, provided that they have reached the age of 18, have not been deprived of legal capacity, and submit a written declaration stating that they consider the Republic of Serbia to be their state. (Article 23, Paragraph 2 of the Law on Citizenship.)

Required Documents
  1. A completed Application for Admission to Citizenship (Form: drzavljanstvo-clan 23-stav2). The applicant's signature must be notarized by a Notary Public unless the application is submitted in person at the Consulate.
  2. A Declaration stating that the applicant considers the Republic of Serbia to be their state (Form: Drzavljanstvo-Izjava). The applicant's signature must be notarized by a Notary Public unless the declaration is submitted in person at the Consulate.

  3. For persons born in a former SFRY republic:

    • An original Birth Certificate; and
    • An original Certificate of Citizenship (Domovnica/Uvjerenje o državljanstvu), issued within the last 6 months.

    If you are also a Canadian citizen, you must provide proof of Canadian citizenship.

    If you are married and your marriage took place outside your country of birth, you must first register your marriage with the competent civil registry authority in your country of birth before obtaining the required birth certificate and certificate of citizenship.

    Example: If you were born in Bosnia and Herzegovina and married in Canada, you must first register your marriage with the competent civil registrar in Bosnia and Herzegovina. Only after the marriage has been registered may you request your birth certificate and certificate of citizenship.

    Your birth certificate must reflect all changes in your civil status, including marriage, name changes, surname changes, divorce, and any other relevant status changes.

  4. For persons born in the Republic of Serbia:
    • A signed declaration authorizing the competent authority in the Republic of Serbia to obtain, through official channels, the information necessary for deciding the application (Form: ZUP.Obrazac.drzavljanstvo_2.doc).
  5. For persons born in Canada:
    • The original Canadian Birth Certificate authenticated with an Apostille;
    • A Serbian translation prepared by a certified translator. The translation must conform to the Serbian language and Cyrillic script.
    • Applicants must also provide proof of Canadian citizenship (Certificate of Canadian Citizenship) translated into Serbian.

  6. If you are married:

    • The original Canadian Marriage Certificate authenticated with an Apostille;
    • A certified Serbian translation prepared in accordance with the Serbian language and Cyrillic script.

    In Toronto, Apostille authentication is available at:

    Official Documents Services
    777 Bay Street, Lower Level
    Toronto, ON M7A 2J8

    Persons who were married in a former SFRY republic must instead submit the original Marriage Certificate issued within the last 6 months.

  7. A copy of the Refugee Identification Card.
  8. Proof of legal residence in Canada (Permanent Resident Card or Work Permit), if the applicant is not a Canadian citizen.
  9. A photocopy of the applicant's passport.
If a Minor Child Is Included in the Application
  • The Application for Admission of a Child and the Declaration that the Republic of Serbia is considered the child's state must be signed by both parents.
  • If one parent is not included in the application, that parent must submit written consent for the child's admission to Serbian citizenship (Form: Drzavljanstvo-IzjavaRoditelja-Prijem).
  • If the child is over 14 years of age, the child must sign a declaration consenting to the submission of the application (Form: Drzavljanstvo-IzjavaDeteta-Prijem).
Consular Fee
The consular fee is 112 CAD, payable by debit card or Money Order made payable to the General Consulate of Serbia.

The fee is non-refundable.

Notes
  • If the application is submitted by a family (spouses and their minor children), a single fee of 112 CAD applies to the entire family. All family members included in the application must provide proof of refugee status in the Republic of Serbia (copy of the Refugee Identification Card).
  • Every document in English must be accompanied by a Serbian translation.
  • Original documents submitted to the Consulate for this procedure will not be returned to the applicant. They will be retained by the competent civil registry authority in Serbia.
  • The Ministry of the Interior generally requires approximately one year to process the application.

 

DETERMINATION OF CITIZENSHIP

A person who has reached the age of 23, was born abroad, and whose both parents were citizens of the Republic of Serbia at the time of their birth, or a person born in Serbia whose one parent was a citizen of Serbia and the other a foreign citizen at the time of their birth, may submit an application for the determination of citizenship of the Republic of Serbia (Article 44 of the Law on Citizenship).

Required Documents
  1. A completed Application for Determination of Citizenship (form: 2020_drzavljanstvo-utvrdjivanje_1.doc). If the application is not submitted in person at the Consulate, the applicant's signature must be notarized by a Notary Public.
  2. A completed Consent Form (ZUP-drzavljanstvo-utvrdjivanje), authorizing the competent authority in the Republic of Serbia to obtain, through official channels, the information necessary for deciding the application. If this form is submitted, the documents listed under items 3, 5, 6, and 7 do not need to be provided.

  3. Proof that the applicant is not registered in the Register of Citizens of the Republic of Serbia, specifically for:

    • the applicant's place of birth; and
    • the place of birth or residence of the applicant's parents at the time of the applicant's birth.

    This document is not required if the consent form described in item 2 is submitted.

  4. For persons born in Canada: the original Canadian Birth Certificate, authenticated with an Apostille, together with a Serbian translation prepared by a certified translator. The translation must conform to Serbian language standards and be written in the Cyrillic script.

    In Toronto, Apostille authentication is available at:

    Official Documents Services
    777 Bay Street, Lower Level
    Toronto, ON M7A 2J8

    For a list of authorized Apostille offices in other provinces, see HERE.

    For persons born in the Republic of Serbia: a Birth Certificate issued by the competent authority in the Republic of Serbia. This document is not required if the consent form described in item 2 is submitted.

  5. Original Certificates of Citizenship of the Republic of Serbia for both parents, issued within the last 6 months. These documents are not required if the consent form described in item 2 is submitted.

  6. A Marriage Certificate for the parents issued by the competent authority in the Republic of Serbia, if the marriage was registered in Serbia. This document is not required if the consent form described in item 2 is submitted.

    If the marriage took place in Canada, submit the original Canadian Marriage Certificate, authenticated with an Apostille, together with a Serbian translation prepared by a certified translator. The translation must conform to Serbian language standards and be written in the Cyrillic script.

    In Toronto, Apostille authentication is available at:

    Official Documents Services
    777 Bay Street, Lower Level
    Toronto, ON M7A 2J8

    For a list of authorized Apostille offices in other provinces, see HERE.

  7. A photocopy of the applicant's Canadian passport.
  8. The consular fee is CAD 112, payable by debit card or Money Order made payable to the General Consulate of Serbia. The fee is non-refundable.
Notes
  • Every document in English must be accompanied by a Serbian translation.
  • Original documents submitted to the Consulate as part of this procedure will not be returned to the applicant. They will be retained by the competent civil registry office in the Republic of Serbia.

 

REGISTRATION IN THE CITIZENSHIP RECORDS OF THE REPUBLIC OF SERBIA

A person over 18 years of age who was born abroad and had one parent who was a citizen of the Republic of Serbia at the time of the person's birth acquires Serbian citizenship by descent, provided that they submit an application for registration in the citizenship records before reaching the age of 23. (Article 10 of the Law on Citizenship)

Required Documents
  1. A completed Application for Registration in the Citizenship Records (Form: DrzavljanstvoUpis-clan_9_i_10_TORONTO_0.doc) and an Application for Birth Registration (PrijavaRodjenja). The applicant's signature must be notarized by a Notary Public unless the application is submitted in person at the Consulate.
  2. A completed declaration (Form: ZUP.Obrazac.drzavljanstvo_4.doc), authorizing the competent authority in the Republic of Serbia to obtain, through official channels, the information necessary for deciding the application.

  3. The original Canadian Long-Form Birth Certificate, authenticated with an Apostille, together with a Serbian translation prepared by a certified translator. The translation must conform to the Serbian language and Cyrillic script.

    For documents issued in Ontario, Apostille authentication is available at:

    Official Documents Services
    777 Bay Street, Lower Level
    Toronto, ON M7A 2J8

    For a list of authorized Apostille offices in other provinces, please refer to the appropriate provincial authority.

  4. The consular fee is 37 CAD, payable by debit card or Money Order made payable to the General Consulate of Serbia. The fee is non-refundable.
  5. A prepaid self-addressed return envelope (Canada Post Xpresspost envelope).
Notes
  • Every document in English must be accompanied by a Serbian translation.
  • If the applicant's parents were married in Canada but have not registered their marriage in the Republic of Serbia, the parents' Canadian Marriage Certificate, authenticated with an Apostille and accompanied by a Serbian translation, must also be submitted.
  • Original documents submitted to the Consulate for this procedure will not be returned to the applicant. They will be retained by the competent civil registry authority in Serbia.