Bosnian birth certificate translation to German, fully certified
The clerk at the "Standesamt" examines your translated Izvod iz matične knjige rođenih. A nod. A stamp. Your wedding date is confirmed, and your guests can book their flights.
- ✓ Certified by court-appointed sworn translators (vereidigte Übersetzer)
- ✓ Guaranteed acceptance by all German authorities
- ✓ We translate both your birth certificate and the Apostille
- ✓ Check it first, pay later with Klarna invoice
Officially certified, guaranteed acceptance
Our translations meet the formal requirements for recognition by authorities across the EU. Every translation carries the full certification clause (Beglaubigungsvermerk), the sworn translator's signature, and the official stamp showing their court appointment. Select "PDF & original by post" when ordering, as authorities typically require the printed original with wet signature and stamp.
Accepted by:
Apostille requirements for Bosnian documents
Bosnia and Herzegovina is a member of the Hague Apostille Convention. This means German authorities will typically require an Apostille on your original Bosnian birth certificate before they accept the translation. The Apostille confirms that the document is authentic and was issued by a legitimate authority.
The correct order of steps
One of the most common mistakes is translating first, then trying to get the Apostille. This creates problems because the Apostille itself also needs to be translated. Here is the correct sequence:
- Step 1: Get the original Obtain your birth certificate (Izvod iz matične knjige rođenih) from the registry office in Bosnia
- Step 2: Get the Apostille Have the Apostille attached in Bosnia by the Ministry of Justice or an authorized cantonal office
- Step 3: Translate both Upload both the birth certificate and the attached Apostille for certified translation
We translate both your birth certificate and the Apostille as a complete package. The German authority receives everything they need in one submission.
Where to get the Apostille in Bosnia
The Apostille must be obtained in Bosnia and Herzegovina before you send your document for translation. Depending on which entity issued your birth certificate, you will need to contact different authorities:
- ✓ Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina: Cantonal Ministry of Justice
- ✓ Republika Srpska: Basic courts (Osnovni sud) or district courts
- ✓ Brčko District: Basic Court of Brčko District
If you have family in Bosnia, they can handle this step for you and send the apostilled document by post.
Bosnian birth certificate types we handle
Bosnian birth certificates come in several formats depending on when and where they were issued. Our sworn translators handle all variations, from handwritten Yugoslavian-era documents to modern digital printouts from the current BiH registry system.
Standard formats
- Izvod iz matične knjige rođenih The official extract from the birth registry, most commonly requested by German authorities
- Rodni list A common colloquial term for the birth certificate, same document with a different name
- Međunarodni izvod (Formule A) The international multilingual format; older versions may still require translation
Historical and special variations
Bosnia's complex administrative history means birth certificates can vary significantly in format:
- ✓ Handwritten documents from the Yugoslavian era (pre-1992)
- ✓ Modern computer-generated certificates from current BiH systems
- ✓ Latin script documents (standard in Federation and most of BiH)
- ✓ Cyrillic script documents (more common in Republika Srpska)
Our translators are native speakers familiar with both scripts and all administrative formats used across Bosnia and Herzegovina. Whether your document is a faded handwritten certificate from 1985 or a fresh digital printout from last week, we produce a clean, certified translation that German authorities will accept without question.
A note on International Extracts
The Međunarodni izvod (International Extract, Formule A) is a multilingual document designed to be understood without translation. However, German authorities often prefer the national format with a certified translation. Older international extracts, especially those issued before Bosnia joined the CIEC convention, typically do require translation. When in doubt, check with your specific authority or translate to be safe. It is better to have a translation you do not need than to be sent home for missing documents.
When you need your Bosnian birth certificate translated
Your birth certificate is one of the most fundamental identity documents. German authorities require it for nearly every major bureaucratic process. Here are the most common situations where you will need a certified translation.
Marriage registration at the "Standesamt"
The wedding venue is booked. Your guests have marked the date. The caterer is confirmed. Now the "Standesamt" (Registry Office) needs your paperwork, and they need it weeks before the ceremony. Your Bosnian birth certificate with Apostille must be translated and submitted before they will confirm your wedding date. Without it, the clerk cannot proceed, and you will be explaining to everyone why the wedding is delayed. With a properly certified translation, you walk in, hand over your documents, and walk out with your appointment confirmed.
Residence permit at the "Ausländerbehörde"
Your visa is approaching its expiration date. Your employer is waiting for you to start. Your family is counting on you to get this sorted. The "Ausländerbehörde" (Immigration Office) needs your birth certificate to verify your identity and family status for various permit categories. A certified translation ensures the clerk can process your application without sending you away for missing documents. You hand over your complete file, they check everything, and you leave with your permit application moving forward.
Citizenship application at the "Einbürgerungsbehörde"
Years of living in Germany, building a career, raising a family, paying taxes, learning the language. Now you are ready to make it official. The "Einbürgerungsbehörde" (Naturalization Office) has some of the strictest documentation requirements of any German authority. Your birth certificate is essential to establish your identity and origins. Every document must be perfectly translated and properly certified. This is not the moment for uncertainty about whether your paperwork will be accepted.
Child benefits and family allowances
You have a child in Germany and want to apply for Kindergeld (child benefit) or other family allowances. The "Familienkasse" needs to verify your identity and your relationship to your child. Your translated birth certificate helps establish this. For your child's birth certificate, if they were born in Bosnia, the same Apostille and translation requirements apply. Getting this right means benefits start flowing without delays or requests for additional documents.
How it works
Order online, receive by email and post. No office visits required, and considerably less waiting than you might expect from anything involving German bureaucracy.
Upload your document
Take a clear photo or scan of your Bosnian birth certificate and the attached Apostille. Upload both files directly on our website. A phone photo works fine as long as all text is readable. You do not need to mail your original for the translation work.
We translate and certify
A court-appointed sworn translator who speaks Bosnian natively translates your document. They add the official certification clause (Beglaubigungsvermerk), their signature, and stamp with their court registration number. This makes the translation legally valid for all German authorities.
Receive by email and post
You receive the PDF by email within 3-4 business days. If you selected postal delivery, the printed original with wet signature and stamp follows by priority mail. The original is what you submit to the authority. Keep the PDF for your records.
What your translation includes
- Complete translation Every field, stamp, and annotation on your original document translated accurately
- Certification clause The official Beglaubigungsvermerk confirming accuracy and completeness
- Translator signature Handwritten signature of the sworn translator
- Official stamp Stamp showing the translator's court appointment and registration number
- Professional formatting Clean, official-looking layout that authorities expect to see
- Apostille translation If you upload your Apostille, we translate that too as part of the complete package
Frequently asked questions
No. For the translation work, you only need to upload a clear photo or scan. Your original stays safely with you. However, when you submit to the German authority, you will typically need to show both the original document (with Apostille) and the certified translation together.
Yes. In Germany, the terms are used interchangeably. A certified translation (beglaubigte Übersetzung) is made by a sworn translator (vereidigter Übersetzer) who has been officially appointed by a German court. The translation carries the translator's certification clause, signature, and stamp, making it legally valid for all official purposes.
The certified translation itself has permanent validity in Germany. There is no expiration date on the translation. However, some authorities may require a recently issued original document (for example, a birth certificate issued within the last 6 months). The translation of that new document would then be done fresh.
Yes. Our Bosnian translators are native speakers who read both Latin and Cyrillic scripts fluently. Documents from Republika Srpska often use Cyrillic, and we handle these regularly. The resulting German translation will be in standard Latin script as authorities expect.
German authorities require proof that your Bosnian document is authentic. The Apostille is the internationally recognized way to provide this proof. Without it, many authorities will not accept your translated birth certificate regardless of how good the translation is. Think of the Apostille as the document that vouches for your document.
It depends on the document's age and the specific authority. Newer international extracts following the CIEC format are multilingual and may be accepted without translation. However, older versions often still require translation, and many German authorities prefer the national format with a certified translation anyway. When in doubt, having a translation ensures your submission will not be rejected.
The price depends on the specific language combination and delivery option you choose. Upload your document on our product page and you will see your exact price immediately before committing to anything. Prices start from €39.80 per page for standard documents.
Our translations are guaranteed to be accepted by German authorities. They meet all formal requirements under German law. If an authority ever has questions about your translation, contact us and we will support you in resolving the issue.
Related documents you may need
Many processes that require a Bosnian birth certificate translation also need additional documents. If you are getting married at the "Standesamt", they will likely ask for your marriage certificate translation if you were previously married, along with a divorce certificate translation if applicable. For residence permit applications at the "Ausländerbehörde", you may also need a passport translation or identity card translation. We translate all civil status and identity documents with the same certified quality and guaranteed acceptance.
Get your Bosnian birth certificate translated
No more wondering if your documents will be accepted. No explaining to frustrated family members why the paperwork is holding everything up. Upload your Izvod iz matične knjige rođenih and the Apostille, see your exact price, and receive your certified translation ready for any German authority.
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