Despite weeks of mounting concern over the validity of Serbian-issued ID cards for Kosovo cities, Deputy Commander of the Kosovo Police for the North region, Veton Elshani, says these documents will remain valid after June 1—at least for now.
His statement comes after border officials reportedly warned travelers that Serbian-issued identification for towns in Kosovo would no longer be accepted. Speaking on the latest episode of Da te pitam, komšija talk show from the KoSSev portal studio, Elshani stressed that any change would be communicated in advance, and that authorities are working on a solution.
But for citizens like Marta Dašić, a 24-year-old from Brestovik, reassurance is not enough. For the past five years, Marta has been trying—and failing—to obtain a Kosovo-issued ID. Her family returned to their hometown in 2004, yet she remains the only member without official documents. Born in Kragujevac, Serbia, Marta’s application has repeatedly been rejected due to bureaucratic complications.
“I am extremely worried. This is not just about entering or leaving Kosovo—this is a violation of basic human rights,” Marta said during the same program, speaking from the Radio Gorazdevac studio.
“They say this is a free democratic country. Well, freedom of movement is a basic right, and I am being denied that.”
Marta is not alone. In Gorazdevac and other parts of Kosovo, many young people are in the same limbo—living legally, but unrecognized by the Kosovo system. These individuals often rely on Serbian ID cards issued by local police departments for cities in Kosovo. With speculation mounting about a June 1 cut-off date, fears are growing.
The issue is further complicated by cases where local authorities refuse to recognize diplomas and documentation from schools operating under Serbia’s education system in Kosovo, treating those students as foreigners and directing them to Pristina for a temporary residence card.
Elshani: „No Decision for June 1“
Elshani reveals that he has no information that the validity of Serbian IDs is set to end on June 1. “If I haven’t received this information, it probably means there is no such decision. But even if a political decision comes, people will be given time to adjust,” he said.
The Kosovo Police official emphasized that any such policy change would be announced at least a month in advance, ensuring that residents are not caught off guard at the border.
“I will personally request that any change be communicated at least 30 days ahead of time so people can prepare,” he added.
Administrative Chaos and ‘Invisible Citizens’
A key obstacle for people like Marta is that their existence is not acknowledged in Kosovo’s administrative system. Despite multiple application attempts, her family received no written confirmation or status updates. The most recent attempt ended with vague instructions to “check in Pristina in six months.”
“Even after submitting our papers, we received no receipt or confirmation. We are still invisible,” she said.
Elshani acknowledged the problem. “Her case is not the only one. We know there are more like her. We respect human rights, and I personally want her to get her documents. She’s already submitted the paperwork, so in my eyes, she is in the process,” he said.
He assured that solutions are being worked out. “There will be a resolution for Marta and the other ‘Martas’ with similar problems.”
According to Elshani, more than 4,600 cases of previously unregistered births, deaths, and marriages were resolved during the last registration window earlier this year. The remaining cases—such as Marta’s—are now being addressed individually.
Birth and Death Registrations Halted Due to “Misinterpretation”
One major administrative misstep occurred in North Mitrovica, where authorities temporarily halted birth and death registrations. According to Elshani, the municipality misinterpreted the government directive on the three-month deadline for registration in the civil registry.
„The decision was that from February 1st to April 30th — everyone born before February 1st could obtain Kosovo documents. But the hospital continued operating after that. People are still being born and dying after February 1st,“ said Elshani.
He revealed that a special commission has been formed to manage the backlog.
According to him, this issue has now been resolved and that the municipality has resumed issuing birth and death certificates.
Residents to be Categorized Either as Citizens or Foreign Nationals
While Elshani expressed empathy for those caught in the bureaucratic bind, he avoided commenting on the political aspect of removing Serbian-issued IDs. From a police standpoint, he said, verifying identity and tracking residency are key concerns.
“If someone lives outside the system and falsifies documents, we can identify that. But in cases like Marta’s, where her whole family is registered except her, the only question is how to include her,” he said.
Ultimately, Elshani believes the goal is to replace “illegal” documents and categorize all residents either as citizens or foreign nationals. But he emphasized that nobody would be denied entry or exit from Kosovo without prior notice and a chance to resolve their status.
For now, thousands like Marta wait, hopeful that a promised solution will come before another deadline turns their invisible status into an insurmountable barrier.
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