The procedure for the registration of associations/federations of associations with registered office on the territory of the Republic of Serbia in the Register, begins with filing an accurately completed application for registration, (registration of compliance, formation, data changes and deletion), with the proposed annexes attached to the application, as well as the required documentation and proof of payment of the fee to the Serbian Business Registers Agency (SBRA).

Application forms for registration can be obtained:

• in person at SBRA’s Belgrade head office
• at SBRA’s branch offices 
• on the Agency’s website.

The accurately completed application forms with supporting documents and proof of payment of the fee may be submitted:

• in person to SBRA’s Belgrade head office
• to SBRA’S branch offices
• by registered mail.

Authorized applicants are:

• the authorized representative of the association/federation of associations
• a proxy with written power of attorney signed by the authorized representative of the association and provided with the stamp of the association.

The registration of harmonization of the association and federation of associations that have a registered office on the territory of the Republic of Serbia in the Register of Associations is free of charge.

The registration procedure begins by filing an application for registration of harmonization of associations in the Register of Associations, with the proposed annexes in support of the application and the required documentation. Registration is free of charge and begins on 22 October 2009, lasting 18 months, through to 22 April 2011.

Social organizations, civil associations and federations established under the Law on social organizations and civil associations (Official Gazette of SRS, no. 24/82.....12/89 and Official Gazette of RS, no. 53/93...48/94), as well as those that have a registered office on the territory of the Republic of Serbia, and are registered in the Register under the Law on civil associations, social organizations and political organizations established for the territory of SFRY (Official Gazette of SFRY no. 42/90 and Official Gazette of SFRY no. 24/94...73/2000), are under the obligation to harmonize their acts with the Law on Associations within 18 months from the date of its enforcement, and to submit the required documentation along with the application for registration.

Please note:
The obligation to harmonize does not apply to business associations and sports organizations and associations. These are not registered in the Register of Associations, and neither are the legal entities established pursuant to other regulations and registered in other registers, (religious organizations, political parties and similar).

To be submitted along with an accurately completed application for registration of compliance in the Register of Associations and proposed annexes, are:

• a copy of the decision on registration in the Register of social and civil organizations or the Register of associations, social and political organizations
• аct on the election of an authorized representative of the association, i.e. federation, which must contain: personal name, domicile and address, and residence of the authorized representative and his unique personal number, i.e. passport number and country of issue – the decision must be adopted by the authorized body, dated and signed by the person authorized to sign (president of the assembly or board of directors), and provided with the stamp of the association
• certified copy of the ID card of the authorized representative of the association, i.e. federation, and if it does not contain data on domicile and address, then also a certificate of domicile, i.e. a certified copy of the passport and certificate of residence
• two copies of the new articles of association -  both samples must be original
• other acts adopted in the harmonization procedure.

The applicant is an authorized representative of the association or a person delegated by him.

Upon receipt of the application, the Registrar checks whether the legal requirements for registration have been met. Having established that the application and documentation submitted are in order, the Registrar adopts a Certificate of registration of harmonization within 30 days from the date of submission of a valid application. With the decree of registration in the Register of Associations, the association is issued a copy of the articles of association validated with the Agency’s stamp and the Registrar’s signature, whereby it is certified that this is an authentic copy of the articles of association kept by the Agency.

An association can be established by a minimum of three founders, provided that at least one of the founders has its domicile, i.e. registered office on the territory of the Republic of Serbia. The founders can be Serbian or foreign legal and natural entities. Government agencies, (ministries, municipalities, etc.), may not be founders or members of an association, as the basic rule is that holders of authority, i.e. legal entities in public law are not allowed to act as founders or members of associations.

Minors over the age of 14 may be founders of an association, with the consent of their legal guardian, with the minor giving a statement, along with the statement of consent of the legal guardian containing signature authentication pursuant to the Law on certification of handwritten signatures and copies.

The procedure for the registration of an association begins with submitting two applications for registration in the Register:

• An application for the registration of an association in the Register of Associations, prescribed by the By-Law on the content, the procedure for registration and administration of the Register of Associations, (Official Gazette of RS, number 80/09 оf 29 September 2009) 
• A unique application for the registration of legal persons and other entities and registration in the unique register of taxpayers (ЈРППС– 2 form), prescribed by the By-Law on the allocation of a tax identification number to legal persons, sole traders and other entities subject to registration in the Serbian Business Registers Agency, (Official Gazette of RS, number 32/09 оf 5 May 2009); - only selected sections of this application form are to be completed, i.e.: name of association; contact data; method of delivery of the decision; signature of the authorized representative, i.e. the applicant.
• Prescribed documentation.

Please note:
The applicant is required to accurately complete and sign the application for registration of the association in the Register of Associations prescribed by the By-Law on the content, the procedure for registration and administration of the Register of Associations, and to accurately complete the selected sections and sign the unique application form for registration (ЈРППС-2). By submitting a unique application form for registration in the Register, the association acquires a tax identification number (PIB) from the Tax Administration, generated in SBRA’s decision on registration in the Register of Associations.

To be submitted along with an accurately completed application for registration in the Register of Associations are:

• founding act of the association 
• if the founder is a minor, statement of the minor’s legal guardian providing consent for the minor to found an association, containing a signature authentication certificate pursuant to the Law on certification of handwritten signatures and copies
• two copies of the articles of association – both copies must be originals
• original or certified copy of the minutes from the founding meeting
• act on the election of the association’s authorized representative which must contain: personal name, domicile and address, i.e. residence of the association’s authorized representative and his unique personal number, i.e. passport number and country of issue – the decision must be adopted by the authorized body, dated and signed by the person authorized to sign (president of the assembly or board of directors).
• certified copy of the ID card of the association’s authorized representative, and if it does not contain data on domicile and address, then a certificate of domicile, or certified copy of the passport and certificate of residence
• proof payment of the fee for the registration of the association in the Register, amounting to RSD 4,000, in accordance with the Decree prescribing the rate of the fee for the registration of an association in the Register and other services provided by the Agency in the process of administering the Register. The fee is paid to account number: 840-29774845-80, the “model” field is left empty, with reference to number 07
• proof of payment of the tax for the registration number acquired from the Statistical Office through SBRA, amounting to RSD 1,750. Payment is made to the account number 840-742221843-57, the model number is 97, below in the reference number field, enter the code provided in the list of municipalities. 

The application must be submitted by the authorized representative or the person delegated by him.

Upon receipt of the application, the Registrar verifies whether the legal requirements for registration have been met. If he establishes that the filed applications and documentation are in order, the Registrar adopts a Decree on registration of the association within 30 days from the date of submission of a valid application. Along with the Decree on registration, the Registrar delivers to the association a copy of the articles of association, validated with the Agency’s stamp and the Registrar’s signature, certifying that it is an authentic copy of the articles of association kept by the Agency.

REGISTERING A FEDERATION OF ASSOCIATIONS IN THE REGISTER OF ASSOCIATIONS

The procedure for the registration of a federation of associations begins with filing two applications for registration in the Register:

• An application for the registration of a federation of associations in the Register of Associations, prescribed by the By-Law on the content, the procedure for registration and administration of the Register of Associations, (Official Gazette of RS, number 80/09 оf 29 September 2009) 
• A unique application for the registration of legal persons and other entities and registration in the unique register of taxpayers (ЈРППС– 2 form), prescribed by the By-Law on the allocation of a tax identification number to legal persons, sole traders and other entities subject to registration in the Serbian Business Registers Agency, (Official Gazette of RS, number 32/09 оf 5 May 2009), - only selected sections of this application are to be completed, i.e.: name of the federation of associations; contact data; method of delivery of the decision; signature of the authorized representative of the legal entity, i.e. the applicant.
• Prescribed documentation.

Please note:

The applicant is required to accurately complete and sign the application for the registration of the association in the Register of Associations prescribed by the By-Law on the content, the procedure for registration and administration of the Register of Associations, and to accurately complete the selected sections and sign the unique application form for registration (ЈРППС-2). By submitting a unique application form for registration in the Register, the association acquires a tax identification number (PIB) from the Tax Administration, generated in SBRA’s decision on registration in the Register of Associations.

To be submitted along with an accurately completed application for registration in the Register of Associations are:

• decisions of the authorized body of the association, pursuant to the statute, on joining the membership of an federation
• founding act of the federation
• two copies of the articles of association – both copies must be originals
• original or certified copy of the minutes from the founding meeting of the federation
• act on the election of the federation’s authorized representative which must contain: personal name, domicile and address, i.e. residence of the federation’s authorized representative and his unique personal number, i.e. passport number and country of issue – the decision must be adopted by the authorized body, dated and signed by the person authorized to sign (president of the assembly or board of directors).
• certified copy of the ID card of the federation’s authorized representative, and if it does not contain data on domicile and address, then a certificate of domicile, or certified copy of the passport and certificate of residence
• proof payment of the fee for the registration of the federation of associations in the Register, amounting to RSD 5,000, in accordance with the Decree prescribing the rate of the fee for the registration of an association in the Register and other services provided by the Agency in the process of administering the Register. The fee is paid to account number: 840-29774845-80, the “model” field is left empty, with reference to number 07
• proof of payment of the tax for the registration number acquired from the Statistical Office through SBRA, amounting to RSD 1,750. Payment is made to the account number 840-742221843-57, the model number is 97, below in the reference number field, enter the code provided in the list of municipalities. 

The application must be submitted by the authorized representative or the person delegated by him.

Upon receipt of the application, the Registrar verifies whether the legal requirements for registration have been met. Having established that the filed applications and documentation are in order, the Registrar adopts a Decree on registration of the association within 30 days from the date of submission of a valid application. Along with the Decree on registration, the Registrar forwards to the federation of associations a copy of the articles of association, validated by the stamp of the Agency and the signature of the Registrar, certifying that it is an authentic copy of the articles of association kept by the Agency.

An association is obliged to report to the Registrar any change of registered data within 15 days from the date on which the change occurred.

The procedure for the registration of changes of data on an association/federation of associations begins by filing an application for registration of changes of data in the Register of Associations together with the required documentation.

It is recommended that, in support of the application for registration, applicants submit the corresponding annexes, depending on the type of change.

To be submitted with an accurately completed application form for registration of changes in the Register of Associations are:

• decision of the authorized body on change of data -  the decision must be adopted by the authorized body, dated and signed by the person authorized to sign (president of the assembly or board of directors or other body authorized by the articles of association), and provided with the stamp of the association
• original or certified copy of minutes from the meeting of the body authorized to adopt the decision on change of data
• proof of payment of the fee for the registration of change of data in the Register, amounting to RSD 2,000, in accordance with the Decree regulating the rate of fees for the registration of associations in the Register and other services provided by the Agency in the process of administering the Register. The fee is paid to account number 840-29774845-80; the model field is left empty, with reference to number 07-... (hereinafter enter the registration number of the association/federation of associations).   

The application must be submitted by the authorized representative or a person delegated by him.

Upon receipt of the application, the Registrar checks whether the legal requirements for registration have been met. Having established that the filed application and documentation are in order, the Registrar adopts a Decree on registration or deletion of data changes, within 30 days from the date of submission of a valid application.

For the registration of specific changes, in addition to the documents listed above, the following is also to be submitted to the Register:

Change of authorized representative: certified copy of the identity document of the association’s authorized representative, and if it does not contain data on domicile or residence, then also a certificate of domicile or residence.

• For change of domicile/residence address of the authorized representative: certified copy of the ID card of the authorized representative, and if it does not contain data on domicile and address, then also a certificate of domicile, or else a certified copy of the passport and certificate of residence.
• For change of identity document: certified copy of the new identity document of the authorized representative, and if it does not contain data on domicile and address, then also a certificate of domicile, or else a certified copy of the passport and certificate of residence.
• For registering data on amendments to the articles of association: two copies of the amendments to the articles of association validated with the Agency’s stamp and Registrar’s signature. Along with the decision on registration in the Register, the association is granted a copy of the articles of association validated with the Agency’s stamp and Registrar’s signature, whereby it is confirmed that it is an authentic copy of the articles of association kept by the Agency.
• Along with the application for entry of data notes on membership of the association in federations and other associations, as well as for registration of entry of notes on other business and activities that the association directly engages in, the applicant shall also submit the articles of association or decisions of the authorized body i.e. other evidence corroborating these facts.

Status changes:

• The application for the registration of the status change of acquisition of an association is made on the basis of the contemporaneous submission of an application for the registration of entry of a note on the acquisition of an association (the acquiring association), and the registration of strike off of an association (the acquired association), provided that the documentation prescribed by law (decision of the general meeting of the acquiring association approving the stipulation of the acquisition contract, the acquisition contract, decree on registration in the register), is submitted together with the applications of all parties to the acquisition. The acquiring association shall also submit proof of payment of a fee of RSD 2,000 for the registration of an entry of record on acquisition, while the associations which cease to exist shall submit proof of payment of the fee of RSD 2,000 for the registration of strike-off from the Register.
• The application for registration of the status change of a merger of associations is made on the basis of the contemporaneous submission of an application for the registration of a new association, and an application for the strike-off of the associations, provided that the documentation prescribed by law (decision of the general meetings of the associations approving the stipulation of the merger contract, the merger contract, a decision on registration in the register), is submitted together with the application for the strike-off of the associations for those associations that cease to exist as a result of the status change, and the documentation prescribed for the establishment of the association together with the application for the establishment of a new association.  The associations that cease to exist as a result of the merger status change, are also required to submit proof of payment of the fee amounting to RSD 2,000 for the registration of strike-off from the Register, while the association that is being established as a result of the merger status change shall submit proof of payment of the fee amounting to RSD 4,000  for the registration of formation in the Register and proof of payment of the tax for the registration number acquired from the Statistical Office through SBRA, which amounts to RSD 1,750.
• The application for registration of the status change of division of an association is made on the basis of a contemporaneous submission of an application for strike-off of the association that ceases to exist as a result of division and an application for the registration of the newly established associations created as a result of the division, provided that the documentation prescribed by law, (decision of the general meeting of the association approving the stipulation of the division contract, the division contract, decision on registration in the register), is submitted together with the application for strike-off of the association that ceases to exist as a result of the division status change, while the documentation prescribed for the establishment of the association is submitted together with the application of the formation of new associations.  The association that ceases to exist as a result of the status change of division, is also required to submit a proof of payment of the fee amounting to RSD 2,000 for the registration of strike-off from the Register, while the newly established associations following the division status change shall submit proof of payment of the fee amounting to RSD 4,000 for registration in the Register and proof of payment of the tax for the registration number acquired from the Statistical Office through SBRA, which amounts to RSD 1,750.

Registration of liquidation of an association/federation of associations in the Register

The procedure for the registration of liquidation of an association/federation of associations begins with filing an application for the registration of status change in the Register by the liquidation manager, along with the prescribed documentation.

It is recommended that, along with the application for registration, applicants submit the corresponding annexes, depending on the type of change.

To be submitted with an accurately completed application form for registration of the liquidation procedure in the Register of Associations are:

• Decision of the general meeting of the association on liquidation of the association and on the appointment of a liquidator
• If the registered authorized representative is not appointed as the liquidator: a certified copy of the identity document of the authorized representative, and if it does not contain data on the domicile or residence, then also the certificate of domicile or residence
• Evidence that the decision on liquidation has been published in the “Official Gazette of the Republic of Serbia” – copy of the page in the “Official Gazette of the Republic of Serbia” in which the text of the decision was published
• Proof of payment of the fee amounting to RSD 3,000, pursuant to the Decree prescribing the rate of the fee for the registration of associations in the Register and other services provided by the Agency in the procedure of administering the Register. The fee is paid to account number: 840-29774845-80, the “model” field is left empty, with reference to number 07-...( enter the registration number of the association/federation of associations).   

Short-form liquidation procedure of an association/federation of associations and entry in the Register

The procedure for the entry of the short-form liquidation procedure of an association/federation of associations is instituted by filing an application for strike-off of an association/federation of associations from the Register of Associations, filed by the authorized representative of the association or the person delegated by him and the prescribed documentation. The purpose of this procedure is to strike off the association/federation of associations from the Register by filing the requisite documentation, without implementing the liquidation procedure (publishing the resolution, expiry of a 30 day term…).
 

In addition to the application for strike-off, it is recommended that the applicant submit the annex with the application, depending on the type of change.

To be submitted along with the accurately completed application for strike-off from the Register of Associations in a short-form liquidation procedure are:

• the resolution of the general meeting of the Association on winding up the association
• written statement by the majority of the members of the general meeting of the association that there are no outstanding tax liabilities and liabilities of the association towards creditors, and that all relations with employees have been resolved  – this statement must contain the personal names and domicile, i.e. the name and registered office of all the members of the General Meeting who have signed the statement, and all signatures must be authenticated in accordance with the Law on certification of handwritten signatures and copies
• proof of payment of the fee in the amount of RSD 3,000 pursuant to the Decree prescribing the rate of fees for the registration of associations in the Register and other services provided by the Agency in the process of administering the Register. The fee is paid to account number: 840-29774845-80, the “model” field is left empty, with reference to number 07-...( enter the registration number of the association/federation of association).

Registering bankruptcy procedure of an association/federation of associations

The procedure for the registration of bankruptcy of an association/federation of associations is instituted by filing an application for change of data in the Register of Associations, by the bankruptcy administrator, together with the prescribed documentation.

Along with the application for registration, it is recommended that the applicant submit the annexes, depending on the type of change.

To be submitted, together with an accurately completed for the registration of the bankruptcy procedure in the Register of Associations, are:

• original or certified copy of the decision of the competent court to institute bankruptcy procedure and appoint a bankruptcy administrator
• copy of ID card of the bankruptcy administrator
• proof of payment of the fee in the amount of RSD 3,000 pursuant to the Decree prescribing the rate of fees for the registration of associations in the Register and for other services provided by the Agency in the process of administering the Register. The fee is paid to account number: 840-29774845-80, the “model” field is left empty, with reference number 07-... (hereinafter enter the registration number of the association/federation of associations).

During the bankruptcy procedure, all applications for changes are to be submitted by the bankruptcy administrator.

The application must be submitted by the liquidator/bankruptcy administrator or a person authorized by him.

Upon receipt of the application, the Registrar verifies whether the legal requirements for registration have been met. Having established that the filed applications and documentation are in order, the Registrar adopts a Decree on registration of change or deletion of data within 30 days from the date of submission of a valid application.

Should the Registrar establish that the requirements for registration have not been met, but that the faults that have been identified can be corrected, the Registrar shall notify the applicant thereof and instruct the latter to remedy these faults, i.e. amend the application, within the appropriate term of 15 days following the day of receipt of the notification. The written notification is delivered to the address indicated in the application as the address for receipt of the Registrar’s decision and posted on the Agency’s website.

Strike-off from the Register in cases when the liquidation or bankruptcy procedure are not implemented

Other than in the case of liquidation or bankruptcy procedure, strike-off from the Register of Associations may only be made on grounds of:

• status changes
• short-form liquidation procedure.

Strike-off from the Register following the implementation of the liquidation procedure

The procedure for strike-off of an association/federation of associations following the implementation of the liquidation procedure begins by filing an application for strike-off from the Register of Associations by the liquidator and the prescribed documentation.

The application may be submitted following the expiry of a 30 day term from the date of publication of the decision on the liquidation of the association in the “Official Gazette of the Republic of Serbia “.

To be submitted along with an accurately completed application for strike-off from the Register of Associations are:

• liquidator’s report on the course of the liquidation
• statement of the liquidator that the assets were distributed in accordance with the law and articles of association
• proof of payment of the fee in the amount of RSD 2,000 pursuant to the Decree prescribing the rate of fees for the registration of associations in the Register and other services provided by the Agency in the process of administering the Register. The fee is paid to account number: 840-29774845-80, the “model” field is left empty, with reference to number 07-...(add registration number of the association/federation of associations).

Please note:
As the Law on Associations prescribes the consequent application of the provisions of the law regulating company liquidation to issues that are not governed by this law, the liquidator’s report must in particular contain the following information:

• any claims made by creditors in the course of the liquidation procedure. By his signature on the report, the liquidator confirms, under full criminal and material liability, that on the date on which the report was drawn up there were no outstanding claims, i.e. debts
• who will be entrusted with keeping the accounting records and documentation of the association following the strike-off of the association from the Register, pursuant to regulations governing archive materials.

Strike-off from the Register following the implementation of the bankruptcy procedure

Procedure for strike-off of the association/federation of associations following the implementation of the bankruptcy procedure begins with filing an application for the strike-off from the Register of Associations by the bankruptcy administrator and the required documentation.

To be submitted along with the application for strike-off from the Register of Associations are:

• original and copy of the final decree on the finalization of the bankruptcy procedure
• proof of payment of the fee amounting to RSD 2,000 pursuant to the Decree prescribing the rate of fees for the registration of associations in the Register and other services provided by the Agency in the process of administering the Register. The fee is paid to account number: 840-29774845-80, the “model” field is left empty, with reference to number 07-...(add the registration number of the association/federation of associations).

The application must be submitted by the liquidator/bankruptcy administrator of the association or the persons authorized by them.

Upon receipt of the application, the Registrar verifies whether the legal requirements for strike-off have been met. Having established that the filed applications and documentation are in order, the Registrar adopts a Decree on registration of change or deletion of data within 30 days from the date of submission of a valid application.

If the Registrar establishes that legal requirements for registration in the Register have not been met, and the applicant fails to act within the required term, to amend the application and to submit the proper documentation, then the Registrar shall proceed to reject the application.

Ban on the work of an association/federation of associations

Decisions to ban the work of associations/federations of associations the objectives and activities of which are directed towards the violent disruption of constitutional order and violation of the territorial integrity of the Republic of Serbia, or at infringing guaranteed human or minority rights, or instigating and abating inequality, hatred and intolerance based on racial, national, religious or any other affiliation or orientation, including sex, gender, physical, psychological or other characteristics or capabilities, are made by the Constitutional Court.

The Constitutional Court may ban the work of associations also if the association joins the membership of an international organization or association pursuing purposes that are prohibited by this Law, i.e. if it joins the membership of a secret or paramilitary organization or association.

A decision to ban an association may be made on grounds of actions by the members of the association, if there is a relation between these actions and the activities of the association or its objectives, if these actions are based on the organized will of the members and if the circumstances related to the case lead to believe that the association tolerated such actions of its members.

The ban on the activities of a federation shall also apply to those member associations that were explicitly included in the banning procedure.

The procedure for banning an association shall be instituted at the behest of the Government, the District Attorney, the Ministry in charge of administration affairs, the Ministry competent for the sector in which the association is pursuing its objects, or the Registrar.

Entry of note on instituting a procedure for banning the work of a registered association/federation of associations

The entry of a note on the institution of a procedure for banning the work of an association/federation of associations in the Register, begins by filing an application for entry of changes (note) and the prescribed documentation.

To be submitted with the accurately completed application for the entry of a note in the Register are:

• the original or certified copy of the ban proposal by the competen authority
• proof of payment of the fee in the amount of RSD 2,000 pursuant to the Decree prescribing the rate of fees for the registration of associations in the Register and other services provided by the Agency in the process of administering the Register. The fee is paid to account number: 840-29774845-80, the “model“ field is left empty, with reference to number 07-...(add the registration number of the association/federation of associations).

The entry of a note on the Ruling of the Constitutional Court banning the work of the registered association/federation of associations

The entry of a note on the Ruling of the Constitutional Court banning the work of a registered association/federation of associations begins by filing the procedure for entry of note and prescribed documentation.

To be submitted together with an accurately completed application form for entry of note in the Register are:

• original or certified copy of the Ruling of the Constitutional Court banning the work of the association/federation of associations
• proof of payment of the fee in the amount of RSD 2,000 pursuant to the Decree prescribing the rate of fees for the registration of associations in the Register and for other services provided by the Agency in the process of administering the Register. The fee is paid to account number: 840-29774845-80, the “model“ field is left empty, with reference to number 07-...(add the registration number of the association/federation of associations).

Please note:
The association/federation of associations which was banned by the Ruling of the Constitutional Court, is stricken off the Register following implementation of the liquidation or bankruptcy procedure.

Suspension of the registration procedure

The Registrar can submit a proposal to ban an association applying for registration, in case he established that the latter is a secret or paramilitary association/federation of associations, i.e. an association/federation of association the objectives and activities of which are directed towards the violent disruption of constitutional order and violation of the territorial integrity of the Republic of Serbia, or at infringing guaranteed human or minority rights, or instigating and abating inequality, hatred and intolerance based on racial, national, religious or any other affiliation or orientation, including sex, gender, physical, psychological or other characteristics or capabilities

In that case, the Registrar shall suspend the registration procedure and file a motion with the Constitutional Court for banning the activities of that association.

Upon receipt of the Constitutional Court’s ruling, depending on the content of that ruling, the Registrar shall issue a decision rejecting the application – when a ban was issued on the activities of the association, or proceed with the registration procedure – when the motion for banning the activities of the association was dismissed.