Schmidt & Schmidt offers document retrieval services in the Czech Republic.
It often happens that civil status documents are lost or damaged, or it is necessary to obtain current copies of documents. In this case, it is necessary to request duplicates of documents. Often, those who have left the Czech Republic face difficulties in this procedure. Our service allows you to request documents in the Czech Republic remotely and we can carry out courier delivery of the document to any point in the world.
Validity of civil status documents in the Czech Republic
Civil status documents issued in the Czech Republic are usually valid indefinitely. However, the receiving party may impose time requirements.
When to obtain duplicate documents in the Czech Republic
A duplicate birth certificate, marriage certificate, name change certificate, divorce certificate, criminal record certificate or death certificate may be required to register a marriage abroad, a newborn child, citizenship, inheritance, data verification for pension applications, opening bank accounts, employment and other bureaucratic issues.
What documents can be requested in the Czech Republic
- Birth certificate
- Marriage certificate
- Certificate of change of surname
- Divorce certificate
- Death certificate
- Certificates of good conduct
- Educational documents
- Other civil status documents
All vital documents (i.e. birth, marriage, death) of Czech citizens are registered by the office of "matriční úřad" in the city of Brno, Czech Republic.
Birth certificate
A birth certificate is an official document provided by the Registrar or acting Registrar of the relevant Civil or Consular Register. It verifies details of an individual's birth, including the date, sex, and, if applicable, the time of birth and family relationships.
Repeated certificates in the Czech Republic are issued by the registry Office, at the place of the archive of the certificate of civil status.
For births in the Czech Republic when a child is born within the country, the birth is recorded by the registry office corresponding to the location of birth. The birth certificate is typically available for collection approximately 10 days after the child's birth. It's advisable to contact the specific registry office to confirm the exact date when the certificate will be ready.
Czech Citizens born abroad must have their births registered with the Special Registry Office (Zvláštní matrika) located in Brno. Applications can be submitted directly to this office or through the nearest Czech embassy or consulate. The process requires submitting the foreign birth certificate, duly legalized (e.g., with an apostille) and translated into Czech.
These applications should include the following details: information about the applicant, as well as the child's full name, date, and place of birth.
Required documents
- Valid ID
- Documents establishing the relationship to the person named on the certificate
- Notarized power of attorney for authorized representatives (If applicable)
Marriage certificates
The marriage certificate is the legal record of marriage, used to verify marital status. It is usually required for procedures such as changing the last name, applying for spousal benefits, immigration applications and for inheritance matters. It can be obtained at the Civil Registry Office in the city or town where the marriage took place.
In the Czech Republic, a marriage certificate (oddací list) is an official document issued by the local registry office (matriční úřad) that records the details of a marriage. Following the marriage ceremony, the local registry office prepares the marriage certificate. The certificate is typically issued within 30 days after the ceremony.
Czech citizens who marry abroad must register their marriage with the Special Registry Office (Zvláštní matrika) in Brno. Applications can be submitted directly to this office or through the nearest Czech embassy or consulate. The process requires submitting the foreign marriage certificate, duly legalized with an apostille and translated into Czech.
Required documents
- Completed application form
- Proof of Czech citizenship for both spouses, if applicable (e.g., valid passport, national ID card, or certificate of Czech citizenship)
- Original foreign marriage certificate, legalized and translated into Czech
- Birth certificates of both spouses
- Documents related to previous marriages (e.g., divorce decrees or death certificates of former spouses / if applicable)
Divorce certificate
A divorce certificate serves the purpose to verify the legal dissolution of a marriage. It is required for procedures such as remarrying, updating marital status on legal records, immigration applications, and legal matters involving custody, support, or property division.
If the marriage was originally registered in the Czech Republic, the divorce should be registered at the local registry office (matriční úřad) where the marriage was recorded.
For Czech citizens who have divorced abroad, it's essential to register the foreign divorce with the Czech authorities to ensure its legal recognition within the country, applications should be submitted to the Special Registry Office (Zvláštní matrika) in Brno.
Required documents
- Valid ID
- Original Marriage certificate
- Foreign official divorce decree
Criminal record certificate
A criminal record certificate (Výpis z Rejstříku Trestů), also known as a police certificate, is a document used to verify an individual's criminal record or confirm the absence of one. It is required for employment in sensitive fields, visa or immigration applications, volunteering and adoption proceedings
Obtaining a Criminal record certificate for residents in the Czech Republic is done via the CzechPOINT Service. Applicants can apply at any CzechPOINT location, commonly found in post offices, municipal offices, or notary offices.
Czech POINT, short for the Czech Submission Verification Information National Terminal, is an initiative aimed at simplifying interactions between citizens and public administration by reducing bureaucratic hurdles.
Required Documents
- A valid ID
- Personal information (including details of your parents)
For international use
If the certificate is to be used abroad, it may require apostille and an official translation into the language of the destination country.
Educational Documents
Foreign educational documents only carry the same legal value as Czech documents if they are exempt from legalization or have undergone the necessary legalization process. Documents from countries with bilateral agreements with the Czech republic are fully exempt from legalization. Documents from countries that are part of the Hague Convention of 1961 undergo a simplified procedure called apostille. If neither countries are part of the convention or have bilateral agreements they undergo consular legalization
