Schmidt & Schmidt provides services for the recovery of civil status documents, as well as obtaining duplicates, lost or damaged documents in Malta with their subsequent legalization and translation.
It often happens that civil status documents are lost or damaged, or it is necessary to obtain current copies of documents. In this case, it is necessary to request duplicates of documents. Often, those who have left Malta face difficulties in this procedure. Our service allows you to request documents in Malta remotely, and we can carry out courier delivery of the document to anywhere in the world.
Validity of civil status documents in Malta
Civil status documents issued in Malta generally have a validity period of no more than 6 months, after which they must be replaced with new ones containing up-to-date data.
When to obtain documents in Malta
A duplicate birth certificate, marriage certificate, name change certificate, divorce certificate, criminal record certificate or death certificate may be required to register a marriage abroad, a newborn child, citizenship, inheritance, data verification for pension applications, opening bank accounts, employment and other bureaucratic issues.
What documents can be requested in Malta:
- Birth certificate
- Marriage certificate
- Certificate of change of surname
- Divorce certificate
- Death certificate
- Certificates of good conduct
- Educational documents
- Other civil status documents
Birth, Marriage, Civil Union, and Death certificates are issued in both extract and full format, whereas Cohabitation and Free Status certificates are only issued in full format. An extract certificate includes the main details of the Act, whilst a full certificate includes all the details.
Birth certificate (Certifikat tat-Twelid)
A birth certificate is an official document provided by the Registrar or acting Registrar of the relevant Civil or Consular Register. It verifies details of an individual's birth, including the date, sex, and, if applicable, the time of birth and family relationships.
The certificate is the primary document establishing a person’s identity and is essential for obtaining other identification documents like a national ID or passport.
The issuing authority is the Public Registry Office under the Identity Malta Agency.
The document can be obtained online via the eID portal of Identity of Malta, in person at the Public Registry Office in Valletta or Gozo and by mail by submitting a written request with the necessary documents and details.
Required documents
- Application form
- Proof of birth from a hospital or medical institution
- Passports or national IDs of both parents
- Marriage certificate of parents (if applicable)
Marriage certificate (Certifikat taż-Żwieġ)
A marriage certificate is an official document that verifies the occurrence of a marriage. It records details such as the names of the spouses, the date, and the location of the marriage.
A marriage certificate can be requested by either spouse involved in the marriage or their authorized representatives. In certain situations, individuals with a legitimate interest, such as for legal proceedings, can also request this document.
The issuing authority is the Public Registry Office under Identity Malta. One can obtain the document there in person, online via the eID portal or by Mail by sending a written request with details of the marriage.
Civil marriages are registered immediately with the Public Registry, religious marriages must be registered within 5 days by the officiating priest or minister.
Required documents
- Applications from both individuals
- National IDs or passports
- Birth certificates of both applicants
- Divorce or death certificates from any prior marriages
Divorce Certificate / Decree (Sentenza ta' Divorzju)
A divorce certificate serves the purpose to verify the legal dissolution of a marriage. It is required for procedures such as remarrying, updating marital status on legal records, immigration applications, and legal matters involving custody, support, or property division.
The issuing authority is the Civil Court for family related cases or the Public Registry for records. Also this can be obtained in person at the Malta Family Court as well as by mail by submitting a written request with the necessary details.
Divorce records are not publicly accessible. Only the parties involved, their legal representatives, or individuals with a legitimate interest (e.g., executor of an estate) can request these records.
If the divorce certificate needs to be used abroad, you may require an apostille or certified translation.
Required documents
- Names of both parties
- Date of the divorce
- Case or reference number
- Identification and proof of eligibility
- Your original marriage certificate
Death Certificate (Certifikat tal-Mewt)
A death certificate serves the purpose to provide official confirmation of a person’s death. It is often needed for legal and financial matters such as settling estates, claiming life insurance, finalizing wills, notifying government agencies and closing bank accounts.
It can be requested by immediate family members (spouse, children, parents), legal representatives or executors of the estate. Government agencies involved in estate administration can also request it.
The issuing authority is the Public Registry Office under Identity Malta. It can also be obtained online via the Identity Malta website and by mail by writing a request with details of the deceased.
Required documents
- Application for state registration
- Medical certificate of death
- Identification document of the deceased
- Notarized power of attorney in case of representation
- Court act if the death was established by court decision
Police Clearance Certificate (Ċertifikat ta’ Kondotta)
A criminal record certificate, also known as a police certificate, is a document used to verify an individual's criminal record or confirm the absence of one. It is required for employment in sensitive fields, visa or immigration applications, volunteering and adoption proceedings.
A Police Clearance Certificate (PCC) or Conduct Certificate is issued by the Criminal Records Office (CRO) at the Malta Police General Headquarters. In Malta, all criminal record information is managed by the CRO. The PCC verifies that you have no criminal history involving the Malta Police Force and is commonly required for immigration, employment, or study purposes abroad.
When applying for a Police Clearance Certificate from Malta, you must provide the period of your stay in Malta, documentary proof of residence, entry and exit date stamps from your passport (first entry and last exit), and a color copy of all relevant VISA pages. This certificate is typically issued to individuals who have resided in Malta for more than six months.
For International Use
If you need a PCC for use abroad, it must be obtained from the General Prosecutor's Office or its regional branches. This version is issued on official letterhead and often requires an apostille for international validation.
Required Documents
- Application form
- Full set of fingerprint impressions with an official stamp of certifying authority
- Document stating the duration and period of stay in Malta
- National ID or passport
- Address registration document
- Immigration Authority letter stating the purpose of the police clearance certificate
Educational Documents
Foreign educational documents only carry the same legal value as Malta documents if they are exempt from legalization or have undergone the necessary legalization process. Documents from countries with bilateral agreements with Malta are fully exempt from legalization. Documents from countries that are part of the Hague Convention of 1961 undergo a simplified procedure called apostille. If neither countries are part of the convention or have bilateral agreements they undergo consular legalization
Apostille of duplicate documents in Malta
Malta joined the Hague Convention on the Simplified Legalization of Documents on the 11th March 1973.
Thus, documents issued in Malta are subject to legalization under a simplified procedure - apostille, after notarized translation into any language, such documents acquire full legal force in the territory of the wished destination.
You can order an apostille for copies and duplicates of documents from Malta from us.
