Get Birth Certificates in Bosnia and Herzegovina

A birth certificate (rodni list or izvod iz matične knjige rođenih) in Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH) is a fundamental civil document required for obtaining a unique master citizen number (JMBG), applying for a passport, enrolling in school, and accessing public services. BiH has a complex administrative structure, and understanding how civil registration works is important. This guide covers how to get birth certificates in Bosnia and Herzegovina, including in Sarajevo and Banja Luka.

How Birth Registration Works in Bosnia and Herzegovina

Bosnia and Herzegovina is divided into two main entities: the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina (FBiH) and Republika Srpska (RS), plus the Brčko District. Each entity has its own administrative structure, but civil registry procedures are broadly similar across the country.

Birth registration in BiH is handled by the local civil registry office (matičar) at the municipality (općina in FBiH, opština in RS) where the birth took place. When a baby is born in a hospital, the hospital issues a birth notification. Parents (or one parent) must then visit the local matičar within 30 days to officially register the birth and obtain the birth certificate extract (izvod iz matične knjige rođenih).

Documents Required for Birth Registration in BiH

To register a birth in Bosnia and Herzegovina, you typically need:

Hospital birth notification (potvrda o porodu)
Identification of both parents (BiH identity card or passport)
Marriage certificate (izvod iz matične knjige vjenčanih) if married
If unmarried: a statement of paternity recognition before the registrar

The JMBG (Jedinstveni matični broj građana) — the unique master citizen number — is assigned to the child upon registration. This number is used in all official documents and records throughout the person’s life in BiH.

Getting a Birth Certificate in Sarajevo

Sarajevo is the capital of Bosnia and Herzegovina and the capital of the Federation entity. The city is divided into four municipalities: Stari Grad, Centar, Novi Grad, and Novo Sarajevo, each with its own matičar. The birth must be registered at the matičar of the municipality in which the hospital or birth location falls.

In Sarajevo, the process is handled at the respective općina (municipality office). The birth certificate extract is typically issued the same day or within a few working days. Additional certified copies can be requested from the same office and are subject to a small fee. The Sarajevo Canton government also provides some online guidance on civil registry procedures.

Getting a Birth Certificate in Banja Luka

Banja Luka is the administrative center of Republika Srpska. In Banja Luka, birth registration is handled by the City Administration’s civil registry office (matičar). The hospital issues the birth notification, and parents must register at the local matičar within 30 days.

Republika Srpska has been working on digitizing civil registry services. Banja Luka residents can check the RS e-Government portal for any available online options. In person, the birth certificate extract is issued at the Banja Luka City Administration. Subsequent certified copies can also be obtained from the same office or through other municipal offices in RS.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the JMBG in Bosnia and Herzegovina?

The JMBG (Jedinstveni matični broj građana) is the unique 13-digit master citizen number assigned to every person registered in the former Yugoslav states. In BiH, it is used in identity cards, passports, and all official records.

What is the deadline to register a birth in BiH?

Births should be registered within 30 days in both entities. Late registration is possible but may require additional documentation and a court order in some cases.

Can a BiH birth certificate be apostilled?

Yes. Bosnia and Herzegovina is a member of the Hague Apostille Convention. Apostilles are issued by the competent entity-level authorities — the Federation Ministry of Justice or the Republika Srpska Ministry of Justice, depending on where the document was issued.

Is the birth certificate process different in Republika Srpska vs the Federation?

The documents required are broadly the same in both entities, but the administrative offices differ. In the Federation, the municipal općina handles registration; in Republika Srpska, it is the opština. Both issue an izvod iz matične knjige rođenih.

Conclusion

Getting a birth certificate in Bosnia and Herzegovina requires visiting the local matičar within 30 days of birth. Whether in Sarajevo (Federation) or Banja Luka (Republika Srpska), the process involves presenting the hospital birth notification and parental identification. The resulting izvod iz matične knjige rođenih and the child’s assigned JMBG number are the foundation of civil identity in BiH.