Birth Certificates from Bosnia and Herzegovina

Also known as: Rodni list / Izvod iz matične knjige rođenih

Order an official Bosnian birth certificate (Izvod iz matične knjige rođenih), including international extracts, without traveling or dealing with municipal offices.

Overview

What is a Birth Certificate?

A birth certificate (izvod iz matične knjige rođenih) is an official public document issued by the civil registry office that records a person's birth, including the date, place, parents' names, and other key details.

Commonly required for:

Passport applications or renewals

Citizenship by descent applications

Registration with consulates abroad

Immigration and residency procedures

Marriage registration and family reunification

Legal and inheritance matters

How Actacerta Assists

Actacerta acts as a document concierge and coordination service

Coordination

Identifying the correct registry office

We determine the proper civil registry office (matični ured) based on your place of birth and municipality.

Preparation

Preparing and submitting your request

We handle all necessary documentation and administrative procedures in compliance with Bosnian regulations.

Verification

Verifying basic record details

Where possible, we perform pre-checks to confirm your birth record exists and reduce the risk of incorrect requests.

Delivery

Arranging secure international delivery

We coordinate international delivery to your address abroad—EU, USA, Canada, Australia, and worldwide.

International Birth Certificate Extracts

For use abroad, you may need an international extract (međunarodni izvod) of your birth certificate, which follows a standardized multilingual format recognized by many countries.

When you need an international extract:

  • Submitting documents to consulates, embassies, or foreign authorities
  • Immigration, visa, or residency applications abroad
  • Citizenship by descent or naturalization processes
  • Registration of children born abroad with BiH authorities

We can help determine whether you need a standard birth certificate or an international extract based on your specific requirements.

Who Can Request a Birth Certificate?

Under Bosnian law, a birth certificate may be requested by:

  • The individual to whom the birth certificate relates (if adult)
  • Parents or legal guardians (for minors or with proper authorization)
  • A legally authorized representative with proper documentation
  • In specific cases, close family members, where permitted by law

Transparency & Limits

For clarity and transparency:

  • We do not issue birth certificates ourselves
  • We do not alter, fabricate, or influence official records
  • We do not guarantee positive outcomes where records are missing or disputed
  • We do not provide legal opinions or replace official government services

Before You Start

Important considerations to keep in mind:

  • You must know your place of birth (municipality and town/village)
  • Availability depends on existing official registry records
  • Name variations, spelling differences, or registry transfers may affect processing
  • Processing times vary by municipality and workload

Legal Notice

This Service is For:

  • Diaspora members who need an official birth certificate from Bosnia and Herzegovina
  • Individuals with existing birth records in BiH who need retrieval and delivery abroad
  • Persons who need clarity on their birth record status before applying

Important Disclaimer:

Actacerta is not a law firm, does not provide legal advice, and does not issue official documents. We are a document retrieval and coordination service. For legal questions, consult a licensed attorney or contact official BiH institutions.

Frequently Asked Questions

Have questions? We're here to help.

What is a Bosnian birth certificate (rodni list)?
A rodni list (birth certificate) is an official document issued by Bosnia and Herzegovina registry offices (matični ured) that proves your birth, parentage, and registration in the civil registry. An international extract (izvod) includes multilingual annotations for use abroad.
What information do I need to order my birth certificate?
You need your full name at birth, date of birth, place of birth (city/municipality), and parents' names. If you know the specific registry office (matični ured), that helps expedite the process.
How long does it take to get a Bosnian birth certificate from abroad?
Standard processing takes 4-6 weeks including registry office processing and international delivery. Express processing (2-3 weeks) is available for urgent requests.
What's the difference between a regular certificate and an international extract?
An international extract (međunarodni izvod) includes standardized multilingual annotations recognized by foreign authorities. It's required for use outside Bosnia and Herzegovina, such as for immigration, passport applications, or legal proceedings.
Can I get a birth certificate if I was born in Yugoslavia?
Yes. If you were born in the territory that is now Bosnia and Herzegovina, your birth record exists in the local registry office (matični ured). We can obtain certificates for births registered during the Yugoslav era.
What if my birth record cannot be found?
If we cannot locate your birth record, we provide a full refund. We offer a free pre-check service to verify record availability before you pay for the full service.

Ready to get started?

Begin your request online by providing basic identifying details. Your information is reviewed securely and confidentially.