Translations & Apostilles for Croatian Citizenship
Nearly every document in your citizenship application will need either a certified Croatian translation, an Apostille seal, or both. Getting them in the wrong order is one of the most common — and most expensive — mistakes applicants make. This guide explains exactly what needs what, where to get it, and the correct order to do everything.
Two different things solving two different problems
Apostille Seal
An Apostille is an international certification that confirms a public document is genuine. It validates the authenticity of the original document — not the translation.
Think of it as a stamp of legitimacy that tells Croatian authorities: “This document was officially issued by a recognized government authority.”
Apostilles are obtained in the country that issued the document. For US documents, that means either the U.S. Department of State (federal documents) or the Secretary of State in the issuing state (state documents).
Certified Croatian Translation
A certified translation makes a foreign-language document readable and legally acceptable to Croatian authorities. It must be done by a professional translator.
The translation covers both the document itself and the Apostille seal. Both must be translated into Croatian.
Translations must be done by a translator familiar with the Croatian citizenship process. The translator provides a cover letter with appropriate stamps and signatures, followed by the Croatian translation.
The correct order — this matters
One of the most common and costly mistakes is getting translations done before the Apostille, or translating a document before you have the final version. Follow this order for every document that requires both:
Get the final document
Order the official record (long form where available). Make sure names, dates, and places are correct before proceeding. Birth and marriage certificates must be issued within 1.5 years; FBI background check within 6 months.
Get the Apostille seal
Send the original document to the correct authority for an Apostille. Federal documents go to the U.S. Department of State. State documents go to the issuing state's Secretary of State.
Get the certified translation
Only after you have the document with the Apostille attached, send it to a professional translator. They will translate both the document and the Apostille seal into Croatian.
Do not translate before the Apostille. If you get a translation done first and then add the Apostille, you will need to have the Apostille translated separately — costing you extra money and time. Get the Apostille first, then translate everything together.
How to staple your translated documents
Once you have the document, Apostille, and translation, staple them together in this exact order. Do not use paperclips, plastic folders, binders, or post-it notes.
Translator cover letter
With appropriate stamps and signatures
Croatian translation
The translated version of the document
Apostille seal
Attached to or behind the original document
Original document
In English or the original language
If the document came with the Apostille seal stapled or attached behind it, do not unstaple — leave it as is.
If you received a roped or stapled set from a professional translator, do not undo it — they must stay as is.
Quick reference — what needs what
Use this table to check at a glance which documents need an Apostille, which need a certified Croatian translation, and any special notes.
Where to get your Apostille seals
Apostille seals must be obtained in the United States — this is something you will need to handle yourself, as they cannot be obtained from overseas. Here is where to go depending on the type of document.
US Federal Documents
FBI background check
U.S. Department of State, Office of Authentications
Approximately 4 weeks
Mail your FBI background check results to the Office of Authentications in Sterling, Virginia. They will return it with the Apostille seal attached. Address: 44132 Mercure Circle, P.O. Box 1206, Sterling, VA 20166-1206.
US State-Issued Documents
Birth certificates, marriage certificates, death certificates, divorce decrees
Secretary of State in the state that issued the document
Varies by state — typically 1–4 weeks
Each state has its own process. Some allow online or mail-in requests, others require in-person visits. Check the Secretary of State website for the state that issued the document. Remember: the Apostille must come from the same state that issued the record.
Croatian Documents
Birth certificates, marriage certificates, or any record issued in Croatia
No Apostille needed
N/A
Croatian-issued documents do not need an Apostille seal and do not have a date limit. You only need the original certified copy from the Croatian civil registry office.
How we help:We cannot obtain Apostille seals for you from Croatia, but we can guide you through exactly which documents need one, which authority to send them to, and in what order — so you don't waste time or money on unnecessary steps.
Certified Croatian translations
All non-Croatian documents and their Apostille seals must be translated into Croatian by a professional translator. Here is what you need to know.
Use a professional translator
Translations must be done by a professional translator familiar with the Croatian citizenship process. Not all translators are equal — the translator needs to understand the specific terminology and formatting expected by the Croatian Ministry.
What gets translated
Everything non-Croatian: birth certificates, marriage certificates, death certificates, FBI background checks, ship manifests, name change decrees, sworn statements, and the Apostille seals themselves. Both the document and its Apostille must be translated.
CV and motivational letter
Your CV and motivational letter must be written in Croatian. If you do not speak Croatian, include the English version as well. With our Guided Submission or Full Representation packages, we draft both your CV and motivational letter in Croatian for you — so you don't need to find or pay for a separate translator for these.
What does NOT need translation
Documents issued in Croatia are already in Croatian and do not need translation. Your US passport does not need translation. Proof of address (driver's license, utility bill, bank statement) does not need translation.
How we help: We coordinate all certified translations through our network of professional translators who are experienced with Croatian citizenship applications. With our Guided Submission package, we handle translation coordination. With our Full Representation package, the cost of all certified translations is included — no extra fees.
Common mistakes to avoid
Translating before getting the Apostille — you end up paying for the Apostille translation separately.
Ordering the short form of a birth or marriage certificate instead of the long form. The long form is always required.
Getting translations done too early on documents with date limits. Birth and marriage certificates expire after 1.5 years; the FBI check expires after 6 months. Time your Apostille and translation close to your appointment.
Unstapling documents that came attached from the translator or with Apostille seals. Never take apart what a translator or government office put together.
Using paperclips, binders, plastic folders, or post-it notes. The consulate does not have time to remove these. Use staples only.
Name mismatches across documents. The name on your FBI background check must match your birth certificate or marriage certificate and US passport. Fix discrepancies before translating.
Let us handle the translations for you
You handle the Apostille seals in the US. We take care of every certified Croatian translation through our trusted network of professional translators — and with our Full Representation package, all translation costs are included.