The company Schmidt and Schmidt provides services for the reclamation of civil status documents, as well as obtaining duplicates of lost or damaged documents in Croatia 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 reclaim duplicates of documents. Often, those who have left Croatia face difficulties in this procedure. Our service allows you to reclaim documents in Croatia remotely and we can carry out courier delivery of the document to anywhere in the world.
Validity of civil status documents in Croatia
Civil status documents issued in Croatia are generally valid for no more than 6 months, after which they must be replaced with new ones containing up-to-date data.
When to obtain duplicate documents in Croatia
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 Croatia
- Birth certificate
- Marriage certificate
- Certificate of change of surname
- Divorce certificate
- Death certificate
- Certificates of good conduct
- Educational documents
- Other civil status documents
Birth certificate
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.
A child's birth must be registered within 15 days. If the child is born in a health facility, the facility handles the registration. For births outside a health facility, registration may be submitted by the father, the person in whose residence the birth occurred, the mother (when able), the attending midwife or doctor, or anyone who became aware of the birth. Obtaining a birth certificate in Croatia depends on whether a child was born within Croatia or abroad.
Required documents
- Birth registration
- Valid ID
- Parents' marriage certificate, if applicable
- Completed application form (available at the consular office or registry office)
Marriage certificate
The marriage certificate is the legal record of marriage, used to verify marital status. It is usually required for procedures such as changing the last name, applying for spousal benefits, immigration applications and for inheritance matters.
Obtaining a marriage certificate happens through application submission and can be requested in person by visiting the local registry office (matični ured) where the marriage was registered. This step can also be done by a representative with a notarized power of attorney or if you reside abroad through your nearest Croatian embassy or consulate.
The Croatian government offers certain e-services through the e-Citizens portal (e-Građani), which may include applications for civil status documents. Availability of online applications for marriage certificates can be verified on the official government website.
Required documents
- Valid ID
- Proof of marriage (date and place of marriage)
- Application form
Divorce certificate
A divorce certificate (also known as decrees) 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.
As a Croatian citizen, you are required to register marriages or divorces completed abroad in Croatia, even if you reside outside the country. Failure to do so may prevent you from completing certain administrative processes, such as applying for health insurance as a spouse, obtaining residence as the non-EU spouse of a Croatian citizen, renouncing citizenship, changing your name to your married name, or adopting a child.
Divorce certificates are obtained from the local registry office (matični ured) where the divorce was registered. This registration is based on the court decision that finalized the divorce.
Required documents
- Valid ID
- Completed application form
- Information about the divorce (date and court)
Death certificates
A death certificate officially records the details of an individual’s death, such as the date, time, and location, and is issued by the municipal authority where the death occurred.
Close relatives, such as a spouse, child, or parent, may request the certificate. Authorized representatives, such as legal professionals, may also request it if they have a legitimate interest, such as settling an estate or conducting legal proceedings.
The death certificate is important for several purposes such as state and inheritance matters. It is required to initiate, probate or distribute the deceased's estate. It is needed to terminate contracts, bank accounts, or subscriptions in the deceased’s name. Insurers and pension administrators require the certificate to process claims and benefits. In some cases, funeral homes may need the document to proceed with the burial or cremation.
The local registry office corresponding to the place of death is the designated place to report the passing. After the death has been reported, the death certificate can be requested.
Required documents
- Valid ID
- Medical certificate of cause of death
- Death registration form
Police clearance certificate
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.
It is issued by the Ministry of Justice, Public Administration, and Digital Transformation.
An individual may request information from their criminal record solely for personal use if required to exercise a right abroad or with an international organization. The certificate can be obtained in person, by mail, or through an authorized representative. Individuals residing abroad can request it via the Croatian embassy or consular office in their country of residence.
Required documents
- Completed from
- Include a government stamp worth 40 HRK
- Provide a photocopy of their valid personal ID card or passport
If requesting the certificate on behalf of another person, a notarized or authenticated power of attorney must also be enclosed. This can be obtained through a notary or authenticated by the Croatian embassy or consular office in the country of residence of the individual concerned.
For International Use
If you need a police clearance certificate 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.
Educational documents
Foreign educational documents only carry the same legal value as Croatian documents if they are exempt from legalization or have undergone the necessary legalization process. Documents from countries with bilateral agreements with Croatia 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.
