Which documents can be legalized in the Ministry of Justice?
The Ministry of Justice of the Republic of Bulgaria legalizes documents with an Apostille (APOSTILLE) that are to be used abroad, such as Certificates of Criminal Record, Power of Attorney, Declarations, Decisions, etc.
In accordance with the Declaration of the Republic of Bulgaria under Article 6, Paragraph 1 of the Hague Convention of 1961, as expressed in the Law on the Ratification of the same convention (published in SG, issue 47 of 09.06.2000), the Ministry of Justice only legalizes the acts of courts and notaries with an "APOSTILLE."
Acts of courts, according to Article 1, letter "a" of the Convention, are documents issued by an authority or official connected to the judicial system of the state. These must be presented in original or as a certified copy and must contain: the date of issue, the name and surname, the signature of the chairman or judge and the secretary, and the seal of the court issuing them.
Acts of notaries, according to Article 1, letters "c" and "d" of the Convention, are notarial acts; official certifications such as registry entries or the certification of dates or signatures on private documents.
Powers of attorney for the disposal of real estate are accepted only after the notary certifies the signature and content, and two Apostilles are affixed.
Powers of attorney for the disposal of real estate, certified by mayors and municipal secretaries, are not subject to Apostille certification.
Notarized copies of documents issued by medical institutions intended for use abroad are certified with an "APOSTILLE" by the Ministry of Justice.
Documents with an affixed "APOSTILLE" can be verified at the following web address: http://apostil.mjs.bg/
*Source: Ministry of Justice of the Republic of Bulgaria