Translation Agency for Montenegrin, Serbian, Croatian and Bosnian

Key facts at a glance

• ✓Certified translations of Montenegrin, Serbian, Croatian and Bosnian – into and out of German
• ✓Documents in Cyrillic and Latin script, names spelled consistently as in your passport
• ✓Older documents in Serbo-Croatian from the former Yugoslavia too
• ✓A photo or scan is enough; the original with stamp and signature is sent by post
• ✓Interpreting on site, by video and by phone as well

Montenegrin, Serbian, Croatian, Bosnian – one language or four?

Montenegrin, Serbian, Croatian and Bosnian are four closely related standard languages whose speakers understand each other well and which used to be referred to collectively as Serbo-Croatian.

Today, each country has its own standard language with its own terminology. Montenegrin has been the official language of Montenegro since the 2007 constitution and has its own international language code (cnr). For a certified translation, what matters is therefore not only the content but also the official terminology of the country concerned. The name of the extract from the register of births alone shows this:

• Serbian: Извод из матичне књиге рођених in Cyrillic or Izvod iz matične knjige rođenih in Latin script
• Croatian: Izvadak iz matice rođenih
• Bosnian: Izvod iz matične knjige rođenih
• Montenegrin: Izvod iz matičnog registra rođenih

Our translators know these differences. They render each term so that German authorities can identify the document unambiguously.

Cyrillic or Latin – how are names written in the translation?

In a certified translation into German, names written in Cyrillic appear in Latin script – usually spelled as in your passport.

Serbian is written in both scripts. According to the constitution, Cyrillic is the official script in Serbia, while Latin script is widely used in everyday life. In Montenegro, both scripts have equal status, and both are also used in Bosnia and Herzegovina. Croatian is written in Latin script. The Serbian Cyrillic and Latin alphabets correspond letter for letter: Ђорђевић becomes Đorđević.

The special characters č, ć, đ, š and ž are important, as they distinguish names from one another. That is why we keep them unchanged and do not replace them with plain letters.

Which documents from Montenegro, Serbia, Croatia and Bosnia do we translate?

We most frequently translate civil status certificates, diplomas and driving licences – for the registry office (Standesamt), the immigration office (Ausländerbehörde), naturalisation or the recognition of qualifications.

• Birth certificates and extracts from the register of births – see also Birth certificate translation
• Marriage certificates, certificates of no impediment to marriage and divorce decrees – see Marriage certificate translation
• Proof of citizenship and certificates of registration
• Driving licences from Serbia, Montenegro and Bosnia and Herzegovina, for example for exchanging them for a German licence – find out more under Driving licence translation
• School, vocational and university certificates for recognition – find out more under Diploma and certificate translation
• Judgments, contracts and powers of attorney

We also provide complete translations of documents issued in Serbo-Croatian in the former Yugoslavia before 1991. Conversely, we translate German certificates, diplomas and judgments into Montenegrin, Serbian, Croatian or Bosnian – for example for a wedding, an inheritance or recognition in the country of origin.

Do I need an apostille for documents from these countries?

Whether you need an apostille is decided by the German office where you submit the document – it is available for all four countries, as Montenegro, Serbia, Croatia and Bosnia and Herzegovina are all parties to the Hague Apostille Convention.

The apostille is a certificate of authenticity that an authority of the issuing country affixes to the original document. The translation agency does not issue it. Ideally, have the apostille added before the translation – then we can translate it at the same time.

How does the certified translation work?

You can order a certified translation from Serbian, Croatian, Bosnian or Montenegrin online, by email, via WhatsApp or in person at our office in Mülheim an der Ruhr.

1. 01
   Upload your documents

   send a photo, scan or PDF via the form above, by email or WhatsApp, together with a copy of your passport.

2. 02
   Check your quote

   you receive the price and a binding delivery date, with no obligation and before any costs are incurred.

3. 03
   Translation and certification

   court-authorised translators for your language translate the document in full, including stamps, annotations and the apostille.

4. 04
   Delivery

   the original with stamp and signature is sent by post or is ready for collection, with a PDF in advance on request.

The price depends on the length, type of document, delivery date and shipping. For standard documents, we give you a binding price once you have uploaded them.

Request a quote for my translation

Are there interpreters for Croatian, Serbian and Bosnian too?

Yes, RAGUNATHAN arranges interpreters for Croatian, Serbian, Bosnian and Montenegrin – on site, by video and by phone.

Typical assignments include appointments in court and with the police, at a notary, at the registry office, in hospital or in business negotiations. Interpreting is usually consecutive, i.e. section by section after something has been said. In North Rhine-Westphalia, interpreters for courts and public prosecutors' offices are generally sworn (allgemein beeidigt), whereas translators are authorised by the court (ermächtigt). Video and telephone assignments are often possible on the same day. Find out more on our page Interpreting on site, by video and by phone.

Why RAGUNATHAN?

• Since 1986

  Experience with certified translations for registry offices, immigration offices, courts and notaries.

• ISO 9001:2015

  Processes certified by TÜV SÜD; the owner is a member of the BDÜ – the German Federal Association of Interpreters and Translators.

• Over 1,000 language professionals

  170 languages and dialects, including all four standard languages as well as Macedonian, Slovenian and Albanian.

• No appointment needed

  Drop off your documents in person in Mülheim-Styrum or place your order entirely online.

Questions about your documents? Call us on +49 208 99 04 77 (Mon–Fri 8:30 am – 4:30 pm) – we will advise you free of charge.