In brief
Serbia and Russia are bound by a 1962 legal assistance treaty, originally concluded between Yugoslavia and the USSR, and the Serbian Ministry of Foreign Affairs includes it in its list of treaties waiving legalisation. In practice, some Serbian authorities still ask for an apostille, so we recommend checking the requirement in advance or getting the apostille straight away. Translations into Serbian are done by a court interpreter (sudski tumač). We obtain the documents in Russia without you travelling and arrange the translation.
Which Russian documents are most often needed in Serbia
- Criminal record certificate — for work and certain procedures.
- Civil registry (ZAGS) certificates — birth, marriage, divorce; for marriage and registering children.
- Diplomas — for work and recognition.
Apostille or not
The legal assistance treaty between the Federal People’s Republic of Yugoslavia and the USSR of 24 February 1962 is included in the Serbian Ministry of Foreign Affairs list of treaties on the mutual exemption of public documents from legalisation. This means a Russian document may be accepted in Serbia without an apostille. However, the list does not specify which documents are covered, and some authorities still ask for an apostille. We will ask where you are submitting the document and suggest an option without unnecessary costs.
Translation into Serbian
Translations are done by a permanent court interpreter appointed by the Serbian Minister of Justice. We arrange this kind of translation. Translation from Russian into Serbian: €15 per translation page (1,800 characters); certification by a court interpreter is quoted for your specific document.
Prices
- Criminal record certificate with apostille: from €115 — turnaround times and prices.
- Duplicate ZAGS certificate: from €65; apostille from the Moscow ZAGS: €60.
The state fee for the apostille is included in the price. Delivery to Serbia is charged at the courier’s rate. Euro prices are based on the Bank of Russia exchange rate on 22.10.2026.
Frequently asked questions
Should I get an apostille for Serbia or not?
Under the 1962 treaty, Russian official documents may be accepted in Serbia without legalisation. However, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs list does not say exactly which documents the treaty covers, and in practice some authorities ask for an apostille. If time is short, the safer option is to get the apostille straight away: for a criminal record certificate it adds 7–8 working days.
Who translates documents for Serbia?
A permanent court interpreter (stalni sudski tumač) appointed by the Serbian Minister of Justice. We arrange the translation with a Serbian court interpreter.
Do I need a criminal record certificate for a residence permit in Serbia?
We have not found any official information that it is required for temporary residence. It is sometimes needed for work and certain procedures — check with the authority you are submitting documents to.
Sources
- Serbian Ministry of Foreign Affairs — list of treaties waiving legalisation (PDF) — checked 22.10.2026
- Higher Court in Belgrade — court interpreters — checked 22.10.2026
- Welcome to Serbia — Privremeni boravak — checked 22.10.2026
- HCCH — Contracting Parties to the Apostille Convention — checked 22.10.2026
This is general information, not legal advice. Requirements may differ between authorities: please confirm them before you submit your documents. Legal notice