Overview
Process Server in Serbia: How Service of Process Works
Serbia has objected to Article 8 (except service on its own nationals) and requires requests to go through its Central Authority, with execution typically completing in approximately three months. Serbia's domestic execution method has a distinctive two-step structure: the party is first summoned by the court for service; if the party does not appear, the document is then sent to them by post. Documents must be translated into Serbian, and there is no government cost for the service.
Who serves process
Who Can Serve Legal Documents in Serbia
Serbia is a civil-law country. The Central Authority is the Department for International Legal Assistance in Civil Matters at the Ministry of Justice in Belgrade. Serbian courts typically summon the person to collect the documents at court, and send them by post if the person doesn't appear.
Serbia objects to postal service under Article 10(a) and to service by interested persons under 10(c), but not to service through competent judicial officers under 10(b). Documents must be in Serbian or translated into Serbian.
The documents most often bound for Belgrade and the rest of Serbia are a statement of claim with a summons to appear, plus orders, subpoenas and other court notices. We serve in Belgrade, across the Belgrade Region and out to Southern and Eastern Serbia.
Proof you receive: certificate or sworn affidavit
Your proof from Serbia is the court's record of service, prepared by the court who served the papers around Belgrade, with an English translation if it is issued in Serbian.
Central Authority Filing
Our team drafts the Hague request for Serbia, files it with the Central Authority and follows it through to service in Belgrade.
Certified Serbian Translation
Documents served under Article 5(1) must be in, or translated into, Serbian. Every page is translated into Serbian by certified legal translators, ready for service in Belgrade and the rest of Serbia.
Case Timeline Tracking
We track filings through Serbia's two-step domestic execution process — court summons first, postal delivery if the party doesn't appear — to confirm completion within the typical three-month window.
Treaties
Hague Service Convention and Serbia
Serbia is a party to the Hague Service Convention, so documents can be sent to its Central Authority, which arranges service and returns a Certificate of Service. On Article 10: Postal service is not allowed, but service through competent Serbian judicial officers is.
Serbia is also a party to the Hague Evidence Convention, so witness testimony and documents can be requested with a Letter of Request.
