Bulgarian citizenship by descent

To obtain citizenship on the basis of Art. 15 of the Bulgarian Citizenship Act (by descent), you must have at least one parent who is Bulgarian by nationality (or prove his or her Bulgarian descent through his or her ancestors) or a Bulgarian citizen (including a deceased one), or have been adopted by a Bulgarian citizen.

The list of documents required in such a case:

• An application (молба) written in Bulgarian following the standard form;

• Documents confirming entitlement on the ground specified in Art. 15 of the Citizenship Act:

  — Persons of Bulgarian descent submit a certificate of Bulgarian descent issued by the State Agency for Bulgarians Abroad. It is recommended that the naturalisation application be accompanied by the documents on the basis of which the applicant’s Bulgarian descent was established and the certificate of Bulgarian descent was issued;

  — Persons adopted by Bulgarians submit documents on full adoption and official confirmation of the adoptive parent’s Bulgarian citizenship;

  — Children of Bulgarian citizens submit documents on their parents’ Bulgarian citizenship (or confirming that the parent died as a Bulgarian citizen).

• A copy of the birth certificate and the original;
• A criminal record certificate from the country of citizenship. In the case of long-term stay in Bulgaria or any other country, the corresponding certificate will also be required from the local competent authorities. The certificate must state the purpose of issue — for obtaining Bulgarian citizenship;
• If the applicant has been staying in Bulgaria for a long period — a document from the prosecutor’s office confirming the absence of pending court proceedings for certain offences;
• A certificate issued by the medical commission at the place of residence confirming the absence of the illnesses listed in the Health Act;
• A declaration following the standard form;
• In the event of a change of first name or surname — an official document certifying this fact, as well as a document proving the identity of persons bearing different names;
• A curriculum vitae;
• A photograph;
• A copy of the identity document;
• A receipt for the fee paid.

All documentation must be translated into Bulgarian and certified in accordance with the applicable rules.

The application together with the package of documents is submitted in person to the Ministry of Justice and registered with the Bulgarian Citizenship Directorate. After registration, the applicant is informed of the date and time of the interview, which is conducted in Bulgarian.

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