Bulgarian citizenship by descent: ancestors up to the 3rd generation

To obtain Bulgarian citizenship by descent, you must prove that the applicant's ancestors were Bulgarian. Under the amendments to the Law, this no longer requires obtaining a special certificate from the State Agency for Bulgarians Abroad (DABCH): the procedure has been simplified.

Obtaining a certificate of Bulgarian origin

The original documents proving descent (birth, marriage and death certificates, etc.) are now submitted directly to the Ministry of Justice together with the other paperwork. Important! Citizenship by descent is available only to those who have relatives in the ascending line up to the third generation.

The required set of documents

• An application in the prescribed form.
• The original birth certificate and a notarised copy of it (the document is not returned after the decree is issued, so it is advisable to provide a notarised copy).
• Originals and copies of the documents proving descent.
• A criminal record certificate issued in the country of citizenship. It must state that the document is issued for the purpose of obtaining Bulgarian citizenship. Those who live not in their home country but in Bulgaria or another country must additionally provide a similar certificate from their country of residence (in Bulgaria such certificates are issued by the Regional Court).
• A document from the prosecutor's office confirming that no criminal proceedings for an intentional offence have been opened (if the applicant is in Bulgaria).
• When filing with the Ministry of Justice in Sofia — a medical certificate issued by a doctor at the place of residence confirming the absence of contagious infectious diseases (AIDS, syphilis). A certificate from a psychiatric clinic confirming that the applicant is not registered there is also required. The certificates must bear the stamp of the medical institution; preferably they should be printed rather than handwritten. If the documents are filed at a consulate in another country, a medical certificate issued by a Medical Advisory Commission with the results of tests for infectious diseases will be required, as well as a certificate of mental health.
• A declaration in the prescribed form.
• If the applicant has changed their first name or surname — an official document confirming this.
• A CV.
• 1 photo, 3.5 by 4.5 cm.
• A copy of the identity document.
• Proof of payment of the state fee. It amounts to 50 leva, and for pupils and students under 26 on presentation of a certificate from their educational institution — 20 leva.

How to file and collect

The documents are submitted in person at the Bulgarian consulate in your country or at the Ministry of Justice in Sofia. On the same day or on an appointed date, an interview is held in Bulgarian. If necessary, you can use the services of an accompanying interpreter.

After filing the documents, the applicant receives an incoming reference number. It is used to track the progress of the procedure on the Ministry of Justice website.

Once information about the issuing of the presidential Decree on citizenship appears on the website, you need to book an appointment to collect the Decree, reserving a suitable time. This is done directly on the website after logging in with the incoming reference number.

The next step is to choose a registration address in Bulgaria. If you do not have your own address, you can use the address in Sofia for the registration of Bulgarians abroad, which is listed on the website.

At the appointed time you need to come and collect the Decree. Together with the Decree you can collect the originals of your documents. Important: the original birth certificate will be returned only if, when filing the documents, the applicant provided a notarised copy along with the original.

After receiving the Decree, you need to register with the Municipality at your place of residence and obtain an address registration and a Unified Civil Number (EGN).

With these documents, the Decree and your foreign passport, you need to go to the district office of the Ministry of Interior (MVR) at your place of registration to have your Bulgarian documents issued — an identity card and a passport. To obtain citizenship by descent you do not need to know Bulgarian or prove your command of it. However, bear in mind that the documents (application, CV, etc.) are filled in in Bulgarian, and the interview at the Ministry of Justice is also conducted in the country's official language. If necessary, at all stages, including registration with the Municipality and the MVR at your place of residence, you can use the help of an accompanying interpreter.

Bulgarian Expert provides document preparation and support services. Rely on professionals to obtain Bulgarian citizenship by descent quickly and easily.