3.5Document Translation
Translating the right documents for Croatian authorities.
Goal: Translate your U.S. Official English documents into Croatian for your citizenship application.
Understanding Translation Requirements
What Needs to Be Translated?
These official English-language documents must be translated into Croatian before they can be submitted to Croatian authorities.
- U.S. Birth certificates
Your birth certificate and those of your ancestors
- U.S. Marriage certificates
Any marriage certificates in your document chain
- U.S. Death certificates
If relevant to your application
- Criminal background check
Your FBI background check or state police check
Important Note:
Croatian documents do not need to be translated. Only documents issued in English or other non-Croatian languages require translation.
Certified Translation Requirements
Croatian authorities require that all translations be performed by a certified translator. These are translations that have been officially verified as accurate.
A certified translation typically includes:
- The translated document
- A statement of certification
- The translator's signature and seal
- The date of translation
For Croatian citizenship applications, you have two main options for getting certified translations:
Option 1: Croatian Court-Appointed Translators
These are translators officially recognized by the Croatian judicial system. Their translations are automatically accepted by all Croatian authorities.
Many Croatian court-appointed translators work remotely and can translate your documents without you needing to travel to Croatia.
Option 2: ATA-Certified Translators in the U.S.
Translators certified by the American Translators Association (ATA) who specialize in Croatian can provide certified translations.
While generally accepted, it's recommended to confirm with your specific Croatian consulate that they accept ATA-certified translations.
Finding a Translator
Here are several ways to find a qualified translator for your Croatian citizenship documents:
- Croatian Embassy or Consulate
Contact your nearest Croatian diplomatic mission for their list of recommended translators.
- American Translators Association
Search the ATA directory for Croatian language specialists.
- Croatian Ministry of Justice
Maintains a registry of court-appointed translators that you can search online.
- Croatian Community Organizations
Local Croatian cultural centers or community organizations often have connections to translators.
Pro Tips
Always get your documents apostilled before having them translated, as the apostille itself will need to be included in the translation.
Ask for digital copies of your translations in addition to hard copies. This makes it easier to share with your attorney (not required) or the consulate if needed.
Translation prices can vary significantly between providers. Get quotes from multiple translators to ensure you're getting a fair price for your documents.