Are You an International Family Living in Croatia?
If you’re an expat, foreign spouse, or part of a mixed-nationality family in Croatia, chances are you’ll be asked to submit certified translations of key family documents. These often include birth certificates, custody rulings, or other legal papers involving children and family relations.
Croatian authorities require such documents to be translated by a court-certified translator (sudski tumač), ensuring their legal validity.
When Do You Need to Translate a Birth Certificate in Croatia?
A certified translation of a birth certificate may be required for:
- Registering a child’s residence (boravište/prebivalište)
- Enrolling a child in school or kindergarten
- Applying for citizenship or permanent residence
- Proving family ties for family reunification visas
- Legal name changes or passport applications
- Inheritance or legal procedures involving family members
The translation must match the official format and include a stamp and signature from a court interpreter to be accepted.
⚖️ Translating Custody and Family Court Documents
If you’re divorced or have a shared custody arrangement from another country, you may need to submit custody documents or court decisions to Croatian authorities – for example, when:
- One parent is moving to Croatia with the child
- A child is enrolling in school under one parent’s care
- Applying for Croatian residency or visa for a child
- Obtaining permission for international travel with a minor
- Resolving legal matters with Croatian institutions
In such cases, a certified translation of the court decision is mandatory. These documents can include:
- Custody agreements
- Divorce rulings mentioning custody
- Child support orders
- Travel consent forms (often notarized)
👩⚖️ Who Can Translate These Documents?
Only court-appointed translators (sudski tumači) can produce translations that Croatian courts, schools, notaries, and the Ministry of the Interior (MUP) will accept.
As a certified court interpreter based in Rijeka, I provide:
- Fast and accurate translations of birth, custody, and family law documents
- Fully compliant certified translations
- Delivery of scanned copies by email and originals for pickup or mail
- Personal guidance through the process
🕒 How Long Does It Take?
Translations of 1–2 pages (like most birth certificates or custody rulings) are typically ready within the same day. Urgent requests are also possible – just let me know your deadline.
💡 Pro Tip for Expats
Make sure your original document:
- Is in good condition and legible
- Is an official original or certified copy
- Has an apostille, if coming from a country outside the EU
If you’re not sure whether your document needs to be translated or apostilled, feel free to ask – I’ll help you verify.
Need a certified translation of a birth certificate or custody ruling in Croatia?
I’m a court-certified English–Croatian translator based in Rijeka, with experience in legal and family documentation. Contact me today to get started or request a quote.
SANJA PERINIĆ | Sudski tumač za engleski jezik Rijeka 