Serbian citizenship by birth

Serbian citizenship by birth refers to the acquisition of Serbian citizenship based on the circumstances of a person’s birth. It follows the principle of jus sanguinis, which means that citizenship is primarily acquired through descent from Serbian citizens.

How to obtain citizenship by birth in Serbia

However, under some conditions, a person may be granted Serbian citizenship upon birth. The primary scenarios are as follows:

1. At least one of the parents is a citizen of Serbia. No matter where the child is born, if one or both parents are Serbian citizens at the time of the child’s birth, the child immediately obtains Serbian citizenship.
2. Child born without a state in Serbia. A kid can obtain Serbian citizenship by birth if they are born in Serbia and would otherwise be stateless. When a child’s parents are stateless or whose citizenship is unknown, this clause is applicable.

Application and Supporting Documents

You will typically need to submit an application together with the necessary supporting documents in order to apply for Serbian citizenship. Depending on your situation, different documents can be needed. However, the following typical documents may be needed:

1. A request form. An application for Serbian citizenship must be completed and signed. Typically, you can download this form from the appropriate authorities’ website or pick it up in person.
2. Evidence of identification. Usually, you’ll have to present a current passport or another type of official identification. These records have to include a clean photo of you, your entire name, your birthdate, and your place of birth.
3. Certificate of birth. It can be necessary to prove your identity, place of birth, and parentage with a certified copy of your birth certificate.
4. Paperwork from parents. You will probably need to present their pertinent paperwork if you are applying for citizenship based on your parents’ Serbian citizenship. This might be their passports, birth certificates, or Serbian citizenship documents.
5. Marriage license. To prove your parents’ marital status, if relevant, a marriage certificate may be needed.
6. Evidence of residency. You can be asked to show proof of your relationship to or residence in Serbia, depending on the situation.
7. Language ability. For some applications, Serbian language competency documentation may be necessary. Language tests or credentials may be used to prove this.
8. Various additional proof. Depending on your circumstances, more documentation can be required. For instance, if you are a stateless individual petitioning for citizenship, you might need to give documentation proving your statelessness.

Dual Nationality

Dual nationality is permitted in Serbia, hence people are free to have citizenship in two different nations. According to Serbia’s Citizenship Law, citizens are not required to give up their current citizenship in order to obtain or keep dual citizenship.