Professional translation, apostilles and notarisation in Serbia: your reliable route to document legalisation with RICS Consulting

Updated 17.09.2026 · 2 min read

Before commissioning a translation, answer three questions: who issued the document, where you will submit it and for which procedure. These determine whether an apostille is needed, which form of translation is suitable and whether separate certification is required.

1. Three procedures that should not be confused
2. Which country issues the apostille
3. What to provide for an initial review
4. How we manage preparation

Translation makes the content understandable to the receiving institution. Certification of a copy or signature confirms a particular notarial act. Apostilles and consular legalisation concern the official origin of a document; they do not confirm the truth of every fact stated in it.

Not every foreign document needs an apostille: exceptions, international agreements and the recipient’s requirements apply. A blanket approach of ‘translation, notary and apostille for every paper’ therefore often creates unnecessary costs.

An apostille is obtained through the competent authority in the document’s country of origin. For Serbian public documents, the competent basic courts perform this act. A foreign diploma cannot simply be taken to a Serbian notary to obtain an apostille from the issuing country.

If the document will be used in several places, clarify in advance the number of copies, whether the original is required and whether a certified copy is acceptable.

• Scans of all pages, reverse sides, appendices, stamps and existing certifications.
• The country of issue and the organisation requiring the document.
• The purpose: residence, family, business, a transaction, education or another procedure.
• The submission deadline and location of the original.
• The spelling of the name as shown in the current passport.

For a diploma, the supplement is usually important; for a power of attorney, the precise powers; for family documents, matching names and the connection between previous and current surnames.

1. We check the recipient’s requirements and the suitability of the source documents.
2. We determine the necessary sequence of actions.
3. We agree the translator, certifications, number of copies and cost estimate.
4. We organise the work and delivery, and check the package before submission.

The price depends on volume, language, country, urgency and delivery method. The estimate separates translation, official acts and organisational support; diploma recognition is listed as a separate procedure.

Proper preparation starts with the receiving authority’s requirements. This means you pay for actions that are actually needed and receive a document in a form suitable for submission.

We will review your starting information, identify the sequence of actions and prepare a cost estimate. You will receive the scope of services, indicative timescales and a clear next step.

Information checked on 17 September 2026. Before applying, confirm the current fees and requirements for your category.

• Serbia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs: legalisation of documents
• Welcome to Serbia: recognition of diplomas