Frequently Asked Questions
Here you can find answers to the questions you might have, as well as useful links to state institutions containing information related to document translation and legalization.
FAQ
Apostille (in French: apostille) is a special certificate with a seal of certification (legalization) of the document by the country of issuance of the relevant document.
If a document has an Apostille, it does not need any additional certification from the country of issuance or any other country party to the Convention (Hague Convention of October 5, 1961).
The purpose of the Hague Convention is to facilitate international exchange of documents as much as possible.
The form and content of the Apostille are binding on all countries - parties to the Hague Convention.
There is no need of affixing an Apostille if a legal assistance treaty has been signed between Bulgaria and the country of issuance of the document.
The competent authorities in the Republic of Bulgaria entitled to affix an Apostille on Bulgarian public acts are: the Ministry of Justice, Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Ministry of Education.
I. The Ministry of Justice affixes Apostilles on court and notarial documents.
II. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs affixes an Apostille on all other public documents, save for vocational qualification certificates:
1. Documents of civil status and address registration issued by municipalities;
2. Various certificates, licenses and other documents issued by ministries, government agencies and institutions;
3. Documents of the National Social Security Institute, the National Statistical Institute, etc.
III. Requirements for affixing an Apostille by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs:
1. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs affixes an Apostille on documents issued by the competent Bulgarian authorities, if they have:
a). Certification with original/"wet" rectangular stamp for foreign countries, laid by the issuing institution;
b). A round seal laid next to the stamp and signature of an officer authorized to carry out such certification.
2. The Ministry of Education affixes an Apostille on documents issued by schools and universities:
1. Certificates of education, qualification and competence.
I. Term required for affixing an APOSTILLE by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs:
1. Regular service - 4 business days.
2. Fast service - 2 business days.
3. Express service - 8 hours.
II. Term required for affixing an APOSTILLE by the by the Ministry of Justice:
1. Regular service - 3 business days.
III. Term required for affixing an APOSTILLE by the Ministry of Education and Science:
1. Regular service - 7 business days.
Information about the authorized bodies issuing APOSTILLES in each of the countries - parties to the Convention, can be found at the following web address: http://www.hcch.net/index_en.php?act=authorities.listing
• If you want to see a sample of an Apostille certification, please follow the link http://apostille.mfa.bg - APOSTILLE-MFA
• If you want to check an Apostille affixed by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, visit: http://apostille.mfa.bg APOSTILLE-MFA
• If you want to check an APOSTILLE certification affixed by the Ministry of Justice, please follow this link: http://apostil.mjs.bg
• If you want to check a certification http://www.hcch.net/upload/apostille.pdf - APOSTILLE
affixed by the Ministry of Education, please follow the link: http://www.mon.bg/?go= page & pageId = 6 & subpageId = 152
