Uverenje o boravku: How to Obtain a Proof of Residence Certificate in Serbia

What is an Uverenje o boravku and why is it needed?

For those planning to move or who have already obtained a residence permit in Serbia, it's important to understand the document called "Uverenje o boravku". Essentially, it is an official certificate that confirms your registered address in the country. It serves as an equivalent of residence registration and replaces the "white card" for foreign citizens who have received a residence permit, formally certifying your resident status at a specific address.

Although obtaining this document is not strictly mandatory, having it is highly recommended. The absence of the certificate can significantly complicate and slow down many processes related to life in Serbia. The Uverenje o boravku may be requested in various situations, from banking operations to medical services.

Most often, this document is required in the following cases:

• In Serbian banks: to change status from non-resident to resident, which is critically important for full engagement with the financial system.
• When running a business: to add your residence permit number to your sole proprietorship data.
• To obtain a certificate of no criminal record.
• In medical institutions: when applying for a health insurance card (Zdravstvene knjižice).
• At the tax office: for various procedures.
• When exchanging a driver's license for a Serbian one.

Key questions about obtaining the document

Before starting the application process, it's worth knowing the answers to a few common questions. Firstly, it is impossible to obtain an Uverenje o boravku online—the procedure is done exclusively offline. Secondly, you must have an already approved and affixed residence permit to get it. If your residence permit is being renewed or you are just waiting for a decision on your first one, you cannot apply for the certificate.

The processing time can vary depending on the city. In most cases, the certificate is issued on the same day of the application. However, in Belgrade, there is a pre-appointment system via email, and waiting for a response with a visit date can take from one to fourteen working days.

It's important to remember that you can only obtain the document in the city where you are officially registered. It is not possible to apply at the MUP (Ministry of Internal Affairs) of another city.

Application process in Belgrade: a step-by-step guide

The process of obtaining the certificate in Belgrade requires prior preparation and consists of several steps.

1. Pre-booking. You need to send an email to uprava.za.strance.termini@mup.gov.rs. You can include the details of all family members in one email, but a separate form must be filled out for each person. The data should be entered in Serbian.

1. Filling out the application. You need to download the application form, fill it out in English (it can be handwritten), print it, and sign it. If you do not have an ID card yet, the corresponding field should be left blank. The application for a child must be signed by both parents.

1. Paying the fees. Payments are generated on the eUprava portal (plati.euprava.gov.rs). It is crucial to specify the personal data and JMBG of the person for whom the payment is being made. You cannot use someone else's JMBG. It is recommended to choose the option to generate a payment slip for payment at a bank, post office, or 'menjačnica' (exchange office), as an online payment does not provide a receipt.

1. Visiting the MUP. You must go to the MUP at Omladinskih brigada 1, Novi Beograd, at the appointed time with all the documents (application, payment receipt, passport, ID card). It is important to adhere to the dress code: entry is only permitted in trousers; shorts, skirts above the knee, and sportswear are prohibited.

Procedure at the Belgrade MUP and an important tip

Upon arriving at the MUP, go to the electronic queue terminal and select the section "Podnošenje zahteva za izdavanje uverenja". Find your appointment time, name, and surname on the screen, and then take a ticket. When your number appears on the display, proceed to the indicated office, scanning your ticket at the entrance.

Critically important point: when submitting your documents, be sure to ask the officer to issue you an "Uverenje o boravku" that lists all the dates of your residence permits from start to finish. This is called "Uverenje sa dva datuma od kog do kog važi".

This version of the document is necessary to confirm continuous residence in the country, which may be required by banks to open a resident account (especially if you have been living in Serbia for more than a year), as well as in the future when applying for permanent residence (Stalni boravak). Once you receive the completed certificate, carefully check all the data for errors on the spot.

Specifics of the application process in Novi Sad

In Novi Sad, the procedure for obtaining an Uverenje o boravku is much simpler and does not require a prior appointment by email. You need to go to the MUP at Bulevar kralja Petra I 11.

The required offices are usually on the third Serbian floor (which corresponds to the fourth floor by Russian numbering), most often offices 23 or 25. However, their location can change, so you can confirm the information on the ground floor.

Documents are accepted and issued on weekdays until 12:00 PM. In the office, you need to provide your passport, the completed application, and the fee payment receipt. The officer will print two copies of the certificate: one for you, and on the second, you will be asked to sign for their archives. If all documents are in order, the entire process takes no more than 10 minutes.