Legalization of a Court Ruling
This document belongs to Group III or Group IV documents (depending on the terminology used).
Document issued in Bulgaria
Requirements for the format of the document
1.1. Original or certified copy issued by the court; must include the stamp, signature, name, and surname of the judge, chairperson, and court clerk (record officer).
Steps for legalization of the document and fees
2.1. Company fee for translation of the document.
2.2. State fee for the Ministry of Justice.
2.3. Company fee for submitting the document to the Ministry of Justice.
2.4. State fee for the “Consular Relations” Directorate at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
2.5. Company fee for submitting the document to the “Consular Relations” Directorate at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Deadline for executing the order:
Translation:
Standard order – 48 hours, Quick order – 24 hours, Express order – within the same day
Ministry of Justice – 4 business days
“Consular Relations” Directorate at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA):
Standard order – 4 business days
Quick order – 2 business days
Express order – 1 business day
Document issued by a foreign country
Requirements for the format of the document
1.1. With an Apostille from countries that are members of the Hague Convention (see question “Which countries are members of the Hague Convention?”).
1.2. In cases where the document comes from a country that is not a member of the Hague Convention and has no bilateral agreement, it must be issued as an original with an original seal from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the respective country, and also bear the stamp of the Embassy of Bulgaria in the same country.
1.3. For North Macedonia, Romania, Russia, and other countries with which Bulgaria has bilateral agreements, the document can be legalized without an Apostille (see question “List of countries with which Bulgaria has signed a bilateral agreement”).
Steps for legalization of the document and fees
2.1. Company fee for translation of the document.
2.2. State fee for the notary.
2.3. Company fee for the notary.
Deadline for executing the order:
Translation:
Standard order – 48 hours
Quick order – 24 hours
Express order – within the same day
Notary:
Standard order – 2 business days
Express order – 1 business day