table of contents
How to Obtain a Bulgarian Apostille for a Bulgarian Document
If you need to use a Bulgarian document internationally, you’ll likely need an apostille. The apostille is used to authenticate the origin of a public document and will verify the signature of the legal official who has signed the document. Here’s a step-by-step guide to obtaining a Bulgarian apostille.
Understanding the Apostille Convention
Bulgaria is a member of the Hague Apostille Convention, which simplifies the process of legalising documents for international use among member countries. Essentially, once a Bulgarian document has been issued with the Bulgarian apostille this will be recognised in any country that is part of the Hague Apostille Convention. Documents that receive an apostille are recognised in these countries without the need for further legalisation.
Identifying the Document Type
The first step is to identify the type of document you need to apostille. Common documents include:
- Birth certificates
- Marriage certificates
- Death certificates
- Court orders
- Diplomas and academic transcripts
- Notarial acts
- Power of attorney documents
Ensure the document is an original or a certified copy issued by an authorised Bulgarian authority.
Translation Requirements
If the country where you intend to use the document does not speak Bulgarian, you might need to have the document translated.
Preparing the Document
Before you can get an apostille, your document might need to be verified or authenticated by the relevant Bulgarian authority. For example, academic documents may need to be certified by a solicitor or by the Ministry of Education, while notarial acts might need verification by the notary public who issued them.
Submitting the Document for an Apostille
The next step is to submit the document to the Ministry of Justice Bulgaria, the designated authority for issuing apostilles or you can use a private service provider for a faster service such as e-apostille.bg. Private service providers can generally simplify the apostille process.
Processing Time
Processing times for an apostille can vary. It generally takes several days, but expedited services may be available for an additional fee. Always check the latest processing times and plan accordingly.
Receiving the Apostilled Document
Once processed, you will receive your document with an attached apostille certificate. This certificate verifies the authenticity of the document, making it ready for international use.
By following these steps, you can obtain a Bulgarian apostille for your document, ensuring it is recognised and accepted in other countries that are part of the Hague Apostille Convention.
We are unable to directly assist with obtaining the Bulgarian apostille but we can help with legalising UK documents with the UK Apostille. If this is needed please contact us for advice.
