Procurement of documents in Uzbekistan

The company Schmidt and Schmidt provides services for the requisition of civil status documents, as well as obtaining duplicates, lost or damaged documents in Uzbekistan 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 duplicate documents. Often, those who have left Uzbekistan face difficulties in this procedure. Our service allows you to request documents in Uzbekistan remotely, and we can carry out courier delivery of the document to anywhere in the world.

Validity of civil status documents in Uzbekistan

Civil status documents issued in Uzbekistan usually have an unlimited validity period. An exception to this rule are certificates of no criminal record, they are valid for no more than 3 months, after which they must be replaced with new ones containing up-to-date data. In addition, the receiving party may make requirements for the terms, so this must be clarified at the place where the documents are requested.

When to obtain duplicate documents in Uzbekistan

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 Uzbekistan:

• 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.

In Uzbekistan, the procedure for obtaining a birth certificate has been modernized. As of January 1, 2023, in Tashkent, and extended nationwide from June 1, 2023, birth registrations are conducted directly by medical institutions. Upon the birth of a child, the medical facility issues a birth registration certificate featuring a QR code, replacing the traditional stamped certificate. This QR code certificate holds the same legal validity as the previous stamped versions, and all state bodies and organizations are required to accept it.

For individuals seeking to obtain a birth certificate from Uzbekistan while residing abroad, the process involves applying through the consular section of the relevant Uzbek embassy or consulate. It's important to note that birth certificates for minor children can only be obtained by their legal representatives.

Required documents

Within Uzbekistan:

• Parents national IDs
• Medical birth certificate (issued by hospital)
• Parents marriage certificate
• Statement of the local registry office (ZAGS)

Abroad:

• Completed electronic form
• Two copies of the applicant's passport
• Proof of birth
• Parental documents
• Parents marriage certificate

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.

Marriage registration is conducted by the Civil Registry Offices (ZAGS) at the place of residence of either individual intending to marry. The process requires the submission of a marriage application at least one month prior to the desired registration date.

Upon registration, a Marriage Certificate is issued, and a notation of the marriage is made in the individuals' identification documents.

Required documents

• Valid ID
• Proof of marital status
• Certificate of capacity to marry

Divorce certificate

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.

In Uzbekistan, the process for obtaining a divorce certificate is managed by the Civil Registry Offices (ZAGS). The procedure varies depending on the circumstances of the divorce.

If the divorce happened under mutual consent without minor children or property disputes both spouses must jointly submit an application for divorce to the local ZAGS office their place of residence. After a three month waiting period the submission is finalized and the ZAGS office issues a Certificate of Marriage Dissolution.

For cases involving minor children and property disputes the case is handled judicially by the court. After the court makes a decision and grants the divorce it issues a divorce decree. This divorce decree can then be submitted to the ZAGS office which then registers and issues the Certificate of Marriage Dissolution.

Required documents

• Valid ID
• Marriage certificate
• Court Decree (if applicable)
• Application form

Death certificate

The death certificate serves as an official confirmation of an individual's death. It is required for settling the deceased's estate, claiming life insurance and closing financial accounts. These documents can be obtained through the provincial vital statistics office.

Upon the occurrence of the death, a medical professional confirms and issues a medical certificate. The medical institution sends the deceased's information to the ZAGS office through an automated system. Once the death is automatically registered, the applicant is provided with a death certificate featuring a QR code for further solicitation. The death must be registered three days after it occurred.

Required documents

• Medical death certificate
• Passport of the deceased
• Proof of Kinship

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, firearm permits and adoption proceedings.

To obtain a Police Clearance Certificate (PCC) in Uzbekistan, the procedure varies depending on whether you are currently residing within the country or abroad. The PCC is typically valid for 6 months.

Within Uzbekistan:

The official government service website offers an electronic application which can be submitted directly through the portal. If you wish to submit an In-person application, visit your local service center, fill out the application form provided and submit this with the necessary identification documents. The document can be picked up by the solicitor personally or by an authorized third party with power of attorney.

Required documents

• Completed Application form
• Passport or National ID
• Proof of Residency

Abroad:

One must apply at the Consular Section at the nearest Embassy of Uzbekistan. Also here please have all necessary documentation for the application. The processing time for a PCC is typically 2 business days from the date of application. Ensure that the PCC application includes all names you have used while in Uzbekistan.

Required documents

• Completed application form
• Copy of Passport or National ID
• Proof of previous residence
• Power of attorney (if applicable)

Educational documents

Foreign educational documents only carry the same legal value as if they are exempt from legalization or have undergone the necessary legalization process. Documents from countries with bilateral agreements with the Republic of Uzbekistan 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

Commercial documents cannot be apostilled. Therefore, if you received a certificate of educational courses from a private company, which does not have an educational license, you will not be able to certify it with an apostille. Only documents from certified educational institutions with an official state license can be legalized through the apostille procedure.

Steps to obtain an apostille

Begin by submitting the document (such as a diploma or certificate) to the relevant Uzbek authority for authentication. This is typically the Ministry of Justice of the Republic of Uzbekistan or other designated bodies, depending on the nature of the document.

The designated authority will verify the document's legitimacy. Once the document is authenticated, it will be eligible for the apostille process.

After authentication, the document is sent to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) of Uzbekistan for apostille certification. The MFA is the official body responsible for affixing the apostille to the document.

Once the apostille is attached, the document is certified as authentic and legally valid for use in other countries that are signatories to the Hague Convention Abolishing the Requirement of Legalisation for Foreign Public Documents.

Steps for consular legalisation

Begin by submitting your document (such as a diploma or certificate) to the appropriate Uzbek authority for authentication. This is typically the Ministry of Justice or other relevant government bodies. The specific requirements for authentication, such as notarization, translation, or additional supporting documents, may vary depending on the authority.

Once the document has been authenticated by the relevant authority, it should be submitted to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) of Uzbekistan. The MFA will verify the document and may request further supporting documentation or charge a fee. Processing times can vary depending on the workload.

After the MFA has certified the document, it must be taken to the embassy or consulate of the country where the document will be used. You may need to make an appointment or submit additional documents, and fees could apply for the certification. Processing times may differ depending on the embassy's requirements.

Once the embassy or consulate has legalized the document, it will be returned to you, and you can use it in the destination country for its intended purpose. Please note that the overall process may take some time due to the multiple stages involved.

You can always contact Schmidt & Schmidt, we have extensive experience in the legalization of a variety of documents and we provide all the necessary services in this area, including the making of notarized copies, translation, preparation of the necessary powers of attorney, legalization of documents before government agencies and foreign consulates, as well as delivery of finished documents to most countries in the world.