Process service · Europe & UKOverview
Process Server in Bosnia and Herzegovina: How Service of Process Works
Bosnia and Herzegovina is a Hague Service Convention signatory with the Ministry of Justice designated as both the forwarding and Central Authority. One distinctive feature: translation is not required under Bosnia and Herzegovina's specific interpretation of Article 5(3), differing from most Hague jurisdictions covered on this site, though including one is often still advisable in practice. The country's internal structure adds complexity of its own — domestic service is governed by three separate Civil Procedure Codes, one each for the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina, the Republika Srpska, and the Brčko District, so identifying which entity the defendant is located in matters before filing.
Who serves process
Who Can Serve Legal Documents in Bosnia and Herzegovina
Bosnia and Herzegovina has three civil procedure codes, one each for the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Republika Srpska and the Brčko District. The Central Authority is the Ministry of Justice in Sarajevo.
According to the Hague Conference, translation is not required for service, and Bosnia and Herzegovina bears the costs of service. Its listing doesn't clearly state a position on postal or agent service, so we confirm before relying on those methods.
For defendants in Sarajevo or elsewhere in Bosnia and Herzegovina, the usual starting point is a statement of claim with a summons to appear; orders, notices and enforcement papers follow later in a case. Defendants may be anywhere from Sarajevo to Sarajevo Canton, and we cover the whole country.
Proof you receive: certificate or sworn affidavit
Your proof from Bosnia and Herzegovina is the court's record of service, prepared by the court who served the papers around Sarajevo, with an English translation if it is issued in Bosnian.
Ministry of Justice Central Authority Filing
We prepare and submit the Hague request to the Ministry of Justice, which serves as both the forwarding and Central Authority for Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Entity-Correct Filing Preparation
We confirm whether the defendant is located in the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina, the Republika Srpska, or the Brčko District, since each operates under its own Civil Procedure Code.
Recommended Translation (Though Not Mandatory)
While not strictly required under Article 5(3) as interpreted here, we recommend including a translation into Bosnian, Croatian, or Serbian to reduce the risk of delay or informal refusal.
Treaties
Hague Service Convention and Bosnia and Herzegovina
Bosnia and Herzegovina 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. We check its declarations on postal and direct service before choosing a method.
Bosnia and Herzegovina is also a party to the Hague Evidence Convention, so witness testimony and documents can be requested with a Letter of Request.
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