FCDO e-Apostille for Bulgaria: Solicitor Certification

Do you need to use a UK document in Bulgaria?

Ginkgo Advisory provides solicitor verification, enhanced solicitor certification and FCDO apostille services for Bulgaria.

We assist with UK educational, company, court and personal documents. For urgent cases, our express e-Apostille service may take a few hours to one working day.

However, completion depends on document checks, source verification and FCDO processing.

UK Documents for Use in Bulgaria

Bulgaria and the United Kingdom are parties to the Hague Apostille Convention.

The Convention entered into force for Bulgaria on 1 August 2000. Therefore, an eligible UK public document can normally use an FCDO apostille instead of the longer diplomatic or consular legalisation process.

Before starting, ask the Bulgarian recipient whether it needs:

• an original or certified copy
• an FCDO e-Apostille or paper apostille
• a certified Bulgarian translation
• separate apostilles for each document
• NACID academic recognition
• separate professional recognition
• direct verification from the issuing body
• a document issued within a set period

These checks can prevent delays and unnecessary costs.

Does a UK Document Need Bulgarian Embassy Legalisation?

Normally, no.

The UK FCDO issues the apostille for a UK document. Once an eligible document carries a valid apostille, it should not need further legalisation by the Bulgarian Embassy or a Bulgarian Consulate.

Bulgarian official guidance confirms that a foreign document issued in a Hague Convention country can use an apostille. It can then be presented in Bulgaria without an additional diplomatic legalisation chain.

However, the apostille does not replace the recipient’s other requirements.

A Bulgarian university, employer, professional regulator, court, municipality or company registry may still request:

• the physical original
• a certified copy
• a Bulgarian translation
• academic recognition
• professional recognition
• a recently issued police certificate
• a specific company-document format

Therefore, check the complete application requirements before arranging legalisation.

Which UK Documents Can We Prepare?

Our solicitor can review many types of UK documents.

Educational documents

• Degree Certificates
• Academic Transcripts
• Diploma Supplements
• Higher Education Achievement Reports
• university letters
• GCSE and A Level certificates
• school records
• professional qualifications

Company documents

• Certificates of Incorporation
• Companies House certificates
• Articles of Association
• board resolutions
• shareholder resolutions
• powers of attorney
• registers of directors
• registers of members
• commercial agreements

Court and legal documents

• Final Orders
• Decrees Absolute
• court orders
• judgments
• consent orders
• probate documents
• legal declarations

Personal documents

• certified passport copies
• proof of address
• employment letters
• consent forms
• statutory declarations
• medical certificates
• professional certificates
• ACRO Police Certificates
• DBS certificates

The correct process depends on the document and its intended use in Bulgaria.

What Is Solicitor Certification?

Solicitor certification is a formal statement signed by a UK solicitor.

For example, the solicitor may confirm that a copy matches the original document.

Basic wording often states:

“I certify that this is a true copy of the original document.”

This wording may satisfy a simple certified-copy requirement.

However, it does not confirm that the issuing university, court, company or public body genuinely created the document.

Therefore, a Bulgarian university, employer, regulator or authority may request stronger evidence.

What Is Enhanced Solicitor Certification?

Enhanced solicitor certification goes beyond basic true-copy wording.

First, our solicitor checks the document through a reliable source. That source may include a university, Companies House, a court record or an official digital platform.

We can then prepare wording such as:

“I further certify that I have verified the authenticity of this document with the issuing institution.”

As a result, the Bulgarian recipient receives:

• a certified copy of the document; and
• confirmation that the solicitor checked its issuing source.

This approach may help where the recipient wants more than a visual comparison with the original.

Solicitor Verification and Certification

Verification and certification are separate stages.

Verification means checking the document with its issuing source.

Certification means issuing the formal solicitor statement after completing that check.

For educational documents, we may use:

• direct university confirmation
• HEDD
• Gradintelligence
• Digitary
• Parchment
• an official university portal
• a secure document-sharing service

Company-document checks may involve official Companies House records.

Court-document checks can include:

• the court seal
• the case number
• the issuing email
• the order format
• other official evidence

After completing the appropriate checks, our solicitor prepares and signs the certificate.

What Does the FCDO Apostille Confirm?

The FCDO checks whether the relevant UK signature, stamp or seal matches its records.

When they match, the FCDO legalises the document by attaching an apostille.

Documents such as qualification certificates, contracts, powers of attorney and certified passport copies may qualify after certification by a UK solicitor or notary.

However, an apostille does not verify every statement inside the underlying document.

For that reason, enhanced solicitor certification can create a stronger evidence chain:

Source verification → enhanced solicitor certification → solicitor signature → FCDO apostille

The enhanced certificate records the source check. The apostille then authenticates the relevant solicitor’s signature.

FCDO e-Apostille for Bulgaria

The FCDO offers both paper apostilles and e-Apostilles.

For an e-Apostille, the document must be an eligible PDF electronically signed by a UK solicitor or notary. The completed document can then be downloaded and shared digitally.

Our solicitor’s electronic signature is registered with the FCDO for e-Apostille purposes.

Consequently, we can prepare eligible PDFs for electronic legalisation.

Bulgaria also operates electronic apostille registers and has issued e-Apostilles for certain Bulgarian documents. However, each Bulgarian recipient should still confirm whether its own filing system accepts a foreign electronic apostille.

Ask the recipient whether it accepts:

• a UK FCDO e-Apostille
• an electronically signed PDF
• a printed version of the digital document
• a paper apostille attached to an original
• a file uploaded through an electronic portal

A Bulgarian authority may require a paper document even where the UK document technically qualifies for an e-Apostille.

Express e-Apostille Service for Bulgaria

Straightforward cases may take a few hours to one working day through our express handling when:

• the document is clear and complete
• source verification has finished
• the PDF qualifies for an e-Apostille
• payment has arrived
• the FCDO requires no further checks

The FCDO’s published processing time for an e-Apostille is up to two working days. Signature checks or document queries can extend that timeframe.

Therefore, urgent clients should provide the document and the Bulgarian recipient’s instructions as early as possible.

Educational Documents for Bulgaria

UK educational documents may support:

• Bulgarian university admission
• postgraduate study
• employment
• NACID academic recognition
• professional recognition
• professional registration
• teaching applications
• public-sector recruitment
• immigration or residence procedures

Common documents include the Degree Certificate and Academic Transcript.

A Degree Certificate confirms the academic award.

An Academic Transcript records information such as:

• subjects studied
• grades achieved
• academic credits
• dates of attendance
• examinations completed
• programme requirements
• completion of the qualification

However, an apostille does not determine the Bulgarian academic level or professional effect of the UK qualification.

The applicant may also need:

• academic recognition through NACID
• recognition by a Bulgarian university
• recognition by a professional authority
• direct university verification
• the complete Academic Transcript
• a Diploma Supplement
• separate apostilles

What Is NACID?

The National Centre for Information and Documentation is known as NACID.

NACID handles several services involving foreign qualifications, including:

• academic recognition of foreign Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees
• recognition of certain foreign doctoral degrees
• recognition of foreign secondary education
• information on regulated professions
• information on foreign educational institutions
• verification of the legitimacy of foreign diplomas

NACID describes academic recognition as an official written confirmation of the value of a qualification issued by a recognised foreign higher-education institution.

Which Authority Recognises a UK Degree?

The correct recognition authority depends on why the applicant needs the qualification recognised.

Bulgaria does not use one identical route for every purpose.

The main routes are:

1. recognition for further study;
2. recognition for non-regulated employment;
3. recognition for a regulated profession;
4. recognition of a doctoral or scientific degree.

NACID’s official guidance separates these routes clearly.

Recognition for Further Study

When an applicant wants to continue studying in Bulgaria, the competent authority is normally the rector of the accredited Bulgarian higher-education institution where the applicant wishes to study.

This can apply to:

• entry to a Master’s programme
• PhD admission
• postgraduate training
• transfer of academic credits
• further professional education

The applicant should apply directly to the chosen Bulgarian university for recognition.

Therefore, a person applying for further study should first ask the university whether it requires:

• an apostilled Degree Certificate
• an Academic Transcript
• a Diploma Supplement
• a certified Bulgarian translation
• direct verification
• a separate NACID certificate

A university may assess the qualification internally for admission purposes.

Recognition for Non-Regulated Employment

Formal academic recognition is not always legally required for a non-regulated profession.

NACID states that a person with foreign higher education has direct access to the Bulgarian labour market for a non-regulated profession. The employer may assess the qualification directly.

However, the employer or another Bulgarian authority may expressly request a NACID certificate.

In that case, the applicant can apply to NACID for academic recognition.

The certificate helps confirm the value of the foreign qualification. It facilitates access to employment, but it is not itself a work permit or professional licence.

Recognition for a Regulated Profession

A regulated profession is an occupation for which Bulgarian law sets mandatory qualification or registration conditions.

Examples may include:

• doctors
• dentists
• nurses
• pharmacists
• teachers
• architects
• lawyers
• auditors
• veterinary professionals
• certain engineering and technical roles

Where the profession is regulated, the applicant must contact the Bulgarian authority responsible for that profession.

NACID maintains information about regulated professions and the competent recognition authorities.

The professional authority may request:

• the Degree Certificate
• the Academic Transcript
• proof of professional registration
• a certificate of good standing
• employment records
• practical-training evidence
• course descriptions
• Bulgarian translations
• apostilled documents
• an aptitude test or adaptation period

An apostille does not itself grant the right to practise a regulated profession.

UK Qualifications After Brexit

Applicants should not assume that a UK professional qualification will automatically follow the same route as an EU-issued qualification.

The treatment of a UK qualification may depend on:

• the profession
• the applicant’s nationality
• the date the qualification was obtained
• previous professional recognition
• acquired rights
• the competent Bulgarian authority
• the professional legislation

Therefore, applicants should obtain written guidance from the relevant Bulgarian regulator before apostilling a large group of documents.

Apostille and Academic Recognition Are Different

An FCDO apostille and Bulgarian academic recognition perform different functions.

The FCDO apostille authenticates the relevant UK signature, stamp or seal.

Academic recognition assesses the value and level of the foreign qualification in Bulgaria.

Neither process automatically replaces the other.

An apostilled UK Degree Certificate does not prove that NACID or a Bulgarian university has recognised the degree.

Likewise, a recognition certificate does not replace an apostille where the recipient separately requires document authentication.

Documents for NACID Recognition

NACID’s current guidance identifies the following core documents:

• an application form
• the foreign higher-education diploma
• the Diploma Supplement or another academic supplement
• identity documents
• evidence of a name change, where relevant
• a power of attorney where a representative applies

The diploma and the ordinary Diploma Supplement must normally include a Bulgarian translation. NACID can also request the originals when it cannot verify the relevant facts from the submitted copies.

The European Diploma Supplement is treated differently and may not require the same certification and translation formalities.

Apostille Requirements for UK Academic Documents

For qualifications issued in a Hague Convention country outside the special categories listed by NACID, the diploma and Diploma Supplement must normally:

• carry an apostille issued in the country of origin; and
• be accompanied by a Bulgarian translation.

NACID states that no other certification from the issuing country is required after the apostille.

Therefore, the usual route for a UK qualification may be:

UK university document → solicitor verification or certification where required → FCDO apostille → Bulgarian translation

The exact preparation method depends on the signatures already appearing on the university documents.

Degree Certificate and Academic Transcript

Applicants should not assume that the Degree Certificate alone will be enough.

The Degree Certificate confirms the award.

The Academic Transcript or Diploma Supplement can show:

• the programme length
• subjects completed
• credits
• grades
• examinations
• practical training
• dissertation requirements

NACID requires a diploma supplement or similar academic record as part of the recognition application.

Therefore, ask whether the Degree Certificate and Academic Transcript should receive separate apostilles.

How Long Does NACID Recognition Take?

The formal processing period is up to two months after NACID receives all required documents and information.

Where no additional evidence is required, the process may finish in about one month. However, the period can extend where NACID requests more information from the applicant or the issuing university.

NACID’s academic-recognition procedure is currently described as free of charge.

Direct Verification by NACID

NACID can verify:

• the status of the foreign university
• the authenticity of the submitted documents
• the nature and level of the qualification
• the academic rights attached to the qualification

The authority may contact the issuing institution or request further documents where the available evidence is unclear.

For this reason, clear institutional verification can support the wider recognition process.

UK Degree Verification for Bulgaria

A basic certified copy may not satisfy every Bulgarian recipient.

For stronger evidence, our solicitor can verify a UK qualification where the university provides a reliable verification route.

The process may include:

• reviewing the Degree Certificate
• checking the Academic Transcript
• accessing an official verification platform
• contacting the issuing university
• confirming the source of the qualification
• preparing enhanced solicitor certification
• electronically signing the PDF
• arranging the FCDO apostille

This process records how we checked the qualification.

However, it does not replace NACID recognition, university admission or professional licensing where a separate procedure applies.

Recognition of UK School Certificates

School-level qualifications follow a separate process.

NACID handles the recognition of secondary education completed at a foreign school. The result is an official certificate or verification letter confirming the Bulgarian equivalence of the foreign education.

This process can apply to UK documents such as:

• GCSE certificates
• IGCSE certificates
• GCE O Level certificates
• GCE A Level certificates
• school-leaving certificates
• secondary-school transcripts
• vocational school records

The document issued by NACID depends on the purpose of the recognition.

School Recognition Requirements

A school-recognition application may require:

• the final school certificate
• academic results
• proof of the completed years of education
• study dates
• information about the subjects
• proof that the certificate permits further study
• an apostille
• Bulgarian translations

Applicants should check NACID’s country-specific certification guidance before preparing the documents.

The receiving Bulgarian school or university may also request grade-conversion services.

Recognition of UK Doctoral Degrees

Foreign doctoral and scientific degrees follow a separate recognition process.

Bulgaria distinguishes between recognition for:

• an academic or postdoctoral appointment;
• further academic training; and
• general employment or another non-academic purpose.

NACID recognises certain foreign degrees corresponding to the Bulgarian educational and scientific degree “Doctor” or the scientific degree “Doctor of Sciences.”

Doctoral Recognition for Academic Employment

Where the applicant wants to:

• occupy an academic position
• work as a postdoctoral researcher
• enter further academic training
• obtain an appointment at a research organisation

the competent authority is normally the rector of the chosen Bulgarian university or the head of the relevant scientific organisation.

A NACID recognition certificate does not replace the university or research organisation’s decision for an academic or postdoctoral appointment.

Doctoral Recognition for Other Purposes

Where the applicant wants to use the doctorate for ordinary employment or another non-academic purpose, the employer may assess the qualification directly.

NACID can issue a recognition certificate where an employer or another Bulgarian authority expressly requires one.

NACID states that its doctoral-recognition service is free and that its recognition certificates do not expire.

Documents for Doctoral Recognition

A doctoral-recognition application may require:

• the doctoral diploma
• a Bulgarian translation
• the dissertation
• the dissertation abstract
• a Diploma Supplement or related academic records
• identity documents
• a power of attorney where applicable

NACID may verify the status of the university or research institution, check the authenticity of the documents and assess the foreign degree against the Bulgarian doctoral framework.

Applicants should note that NACID may require the dissertation and abstract in both paper and electronic form.

Healthcare Qualifications

Healthcare professions are regulated in Bulgaria.

This may include:

• doctors
• dentists
• nurses
• midwives
• pharmacists
• physiotherapists
• other healthcare professionals

The competent health authority may require:

• the Degree Certificate
• the complete Academic Transcript
• clinical-training records
• internship evidence
• proof of UK professional registration
• a certificate of good standing
• employment records
• Bulgarian translations
• apostilled documents
• examinations or supervised practice

The final route depends on the profession and the applicant’s circumstances.

Applicants should identify the profession in Bulgaria’s regulated-professions system and contact the listed competent authority directly.

Teaching Qualifications

Teaching is a regulated field in Bulgaria.

A UK-qualified teacher may need to provide:

• the teaching qualification
• the Degree Certificate
• the Academic Transcript
• evidence of teacher training
• placement or classroom-practice records
• UK professional-status documents
• a certificate of good standing
• a Bulgarian translation
• apostilled records

The competent education authority may compare the applicant’s studies and teaching practice with Bulgarian requirements.

An academic-recognition certificate does not automatically grant the right to work in every regulated teaching role.

Company Documents for Bulgaria

UK company documents may support:

• establishing a Bulgarian subsidiary
• registering a Bulgarian branch
• opening a corporate bank account
• tax registration
• investment transactions
• commercial contracts
• public procurement
• proving directors or shareholders
• appointing a Bulgarian representative

Official Companies House certificates may qualify for direct FCDO legalisation where they carry an eligible public-official signature.

Company-created documents usually need an appropriate signature or solicitor certification before the FCDO can issue an apostille.

Examples include:

• board resolutions
• shareholder resolutions
• company powers of attorney
• registers of directors
• registers of members
• authorised signatory letters
• commercial agreements

Requirements may differ between:

• the Bulgarian Commercial Register
• the Registry Agency
• the BULSTAT Register
• banks
• notaries
• lawyers
• accountants
• public authorities

Registering a Foreign-Company Branch

A foreign person registered to carry on commercial activity under its national law may register a branch in Bulgaria.

The branch must be entered in the Bulgarian Commercial Register.

A branch application may require evidence concerning:

• the UK parent company
• its legal existence
• its registered office
• its directors
• its constitutional documents
• the decision to establish the branch
• the branch representative
• the representative’s powers
• the Bulgarian branch address

The Bulgarian lawyer or filing adviser should confirm which documents need an apostille.

Documents for a Bulgarian Branch or Subsidiary

A UK company may be asked to provide:

• a Certificate of Incorporation
• a Certificate of Good Standing
• the Articles of Association
• a board resolution
• evidence of current directors
• evidence of shareholders
• a power of attorney
• certified passport copies
• declarations from representatives

Depending on the filing, the recipient may require:

• an official Companies House document
• solicitor certification
• notarisation
• an FCDO apostille
• a certified Bulgarian translation
• individual apostilles
• recently issued company records

Bulgarian commercial-registration guidance states that documents may be submitted in an official EU language when a certified Bulgarian translation is attached.

BULSTAT Registration

The BULSTAT Register is a separate Bulgarian administrative register.

It can cover certain foreign persons and branches that do not fall within ordinary commercial-registration rules.

The Bulgarian accountant, lawyer or corporate adviser should confirm whether the proposed activity requires:

• Commercial Register registration
• BULSTAT registration
• tax registration
• VAT registration
• sector-specific licensing

An apostille does not itself create the Bulgarian business registration.

Powers of Attorney for Bulgaria

A UK power of attorney may support:

• company formation
• branch registration
• banking
• tax registration
• property matters
• court proceedings
• inheritance
• representation before a Bulgarian authority

The Bulgarian lawyer or notary should provide the required wording before the document is signed.

Depending on the transaction, the power may require:

• execution before a solicitor or notary
• identity verification
• witness details
• an FCDO apostille
• a Bulgarian translation
• a physical original
• registration or use before a Bulgarian notary

Some Bulgarian procedures may require notarisation rather than ordinary solicitor certification.

Therefore, do not rely on a general power-of-attorney template without checking the local requirements.

Court Documents for Bulgaria

UK court documents may need legalisation for:

• divorce matters
• probate
• inheritance
• family proceedings
• civil claims
• debt enforcement
• commercial disputes

Examples include:

• Final Orders
• Decrees Absolute
• court judgments
• consent orders
• Grants of Probate
• Letters of Administration

A UK court document carrying a recognised wet-ink court seal may qualify for direct FCDO legalisation.

By contrast, an electronic court document may first need solicitor verification and certification.

The Bulgarian court, lawyer, municipality or civil-status authority may also request:

• the physical original
• a paper apostille
• an officially certified copy
• a Bulgarian translation
• proof that the judgment is final
• separate recognition proceedings

Confirm the required format before choosing the e-Apostille route.

Recognition of a UK Divorce

An apostilled UK Final Order or Decree Absolute confirms the authenticity of the relevant UK court signature or seal.

However, the apostille does not automatically update a Bulgarian civil-status record or make the judgment directly effective for every Bulgarian purpose.

Depending on the case, the applicant may need:

• the complete final court order
• proof that the order is final
• an FCDO apostille
• a certified Bulgarian translation
• judicial recognition
• registration with the relevant municipality
• identity and civil-status documents

The Bulgarian family lawyer or civil-status authority should confirm the correct procedure.

Does Bulgaria Require a Bulgarian Translation?

Many official Bulgarian procedures require a Bulgarian translation.

For NACID recognition, the diploma and ordinary Diploma Supplement must generally be translated into Bulgarian.

Company-registration filings can also require a certified Bulgarian translation.

Civil-status procedures commonly require an apostilled foreign certificate to be accompanied by a certified Bulgarian translation.

However, the exact translation formalities depend on the receiving authority.

Before arranging translation, ask:

• whether the recipient accepts English
• whether it requires Bulgarian
• whether the translator must be based in Bulgaria
• whether the translator’s signature must be notarised
• whether the apostille must also be translated
• whether every page and annex needs translation
• whether an electronic translation is accepted

Certified Bulgarian Translations

For many official procedures, the translation may need to be prepared by:

• a Bulgarian diplomatic or consular representative;
• an authorised translation provider;
• a Bulgarian translator whose signature receives the required certification; or
• another translator accepted by the receiving authority.

Bulgarian civil-status guidance states that a translation can be prepared by a Bulgarian consular representative or translation company, with the Bulgarian translator’s signature certified by a Bulgarian notary.

The final format should follow the instructions of the municipality, university, registry, court or regulator receiving the document.

Should Translation Take Place Before or After the Apostille?

In many cases, the safer sequence is:

UK document → FCDO apostille → certified Bulgarian translation

This allows the translator to translate the complete legalised package, including:

• the underlying document
• the solicitor certificate
• the apostille
• stamps and seals
• schedules and annexes

However, NACID or another Bulgarian authority may have a particular filing format.

Confirm the required order before arranging the translation.

Immigration and Residence Documents

UK documents may support Bulgarian applications involving:

• work
• study
• family reunification
• long-term residence
• permanent residence
• business
• investment
• proof of qualifications
• proof of family relationships

Possible supporting documents include:

• birth certificates
• marriage certificates
• police certificates
• Degree Certificates
• Academic Transcripts
• employment letters
• company records
• powers of attorney

The Bulgarian immigration authority may require:

• an original document
• an apostille
• a Bulgarian translation
• a recent issue date
• proof from the issuing institution
• a physical original for inspection

The exact requirements depend on the residence category.

Police Certificates for Bulgaria

A UK ACRO Police Certificate may support:

• residence applications
• employment
• professional registration
• immigration procedures
• background screening
• citizenship matters

The FCDO does not issue e-Apostilles for ACRO Police Certificates.

Therefore, an ACRO certificate must use the paper apostille route.

The Bulgarian recipient may also require:

• the original certificate
• a recent issue date
• a paper apostille
• a certified Bulgarian translation
• police certificates from other countries
• direct verification

Check the required validity period before ordering the certificate.

Birth, Marriage and Civil-Status Documents

UK civil-status documents may support:

• birth registration
• marriage registration
• divorce matters
• citizenship
• residence applications
• proof of family relationships
• inheritance

Common documents include:

• birth certificates
• marriage certificates
• death certificates
• civil partnership certificates
• adoption certificates
• divorce orders

The Bulgarian recipient may require:

• the original paper certificate
• an FCDO paper apostille
• a long-form certificate
• a recently issued copy
• a certified Bulgarian translation
• supporting identity documents
• registration with the relevant municipality

Bulgarian civil-status guidance requires apostilled foreign certificates and certified Bulgarian translations in many overseas birth, marriage and death registration procedures.

Documents That Need a Paper Apostille

The FCDO does not issue an e-Apostille for certain document types.

These include:

• UK birth certificates
• marriage certificates
• death certificates
• civil partnership certificates
• adoption certificates
• other General Register Office documents
• ACRO Police Certificates
• DBS certificates
• Scottish and Northern Irish disclosure certificates
• fingerprint certificates
• ACCA membership certificates

These documents normally require a paper apostille.

A Bulgarian recipient may also require a physical document even where the document type technically qualifies for an e-Apostille.

Separate or Combined Apostilles?

Several related documents can sometimes form one solicitor-certified PDF.

However, this approach does not suit every Bulgarian application.

Separate apostilles may work better when:

• the Degree Certificate and Transcript serve different purposes
• NACID expects separate academic records
• a university needs individual documents
• a professional regulator requires separate evidence
• a company-registration filing involves independent records
• the documents come from different issuing bodies

The FCDO advises applicants to ask whether the recipient needs one apostille for a group of documents or a separate apostille for each document.

Our Process

Step 1: Send the Document

Send us a clear PDF of the UK document.

Step 2: Provide the Bulgarian Requirements

Include any instructions from the Bulgarian:

• authority
• university
• employer
• professional regulator
• court
• municipality
• bank
• lawyer
• notary
• company-registration adviser

Step 3: Check Whether Legalisation Is Needed

We first determine whether the recipient requires an apostille.

Step 4: Select the Correct Route

We check whether the document needs:

• an e-Apostille
• a paper apostille
• solicitor certification
• enhanced source verification
• notarisation
• separate legalisation

Step 5: Verify the Document

Where possible, our solicitor checks the document with its issuing source.

Step 6: Prepare Enhanced Certification

We draft the appropriate certification wording and apply the solicitor’s electronic or wet-ink signature.

Step 7: Arrange the FCDO Apostille

Our team submits the document through the suitable FCDO route.

Step 8: Send the Completed Document

Finally, we provide the completed electronic file or arrange return delivery of the paper documents.

A Bulgarian recipient can verify a UK paper or electronic apostille using its issue date and apostille number.

Need an Apostille for Bulgaria?

Send Ginkgo Advisory:

• a copy of the UK document
• its intended use in Bulgaria
• the name of the recipient
• any written document requirements
• whether NACID recognition is required
• whether professional registration is involved
• whether the recipient requires a Bulgarian translation
• your required completion date

We will check whether an apostille is necessary and confirm the appropriate verification, certification and legalisation route.

Eligible express e-Apostille cases may take a few hours to one working day, subject to document checks and FCDO processing.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does Bulgaria accept an FCDO apostille?

Yes. Bulgaria and the United Kingdom are parties to the Hague Apostille Convention. The Convention entered into force for Bulgaria on 1 August 2000.

Does an apostilled UK document need Bulgarian Embassy legalisation?

Normally, no. The FCDO apostille replaces the longer diplomatic or consular legalisation process for eligible documents.

Does Bulgaria accept an FCDO e-Apostille?

A UK e-Apostille may suit a digital application. However, the receiving Bulgarian organisation should confirm that its procedure accepts an electronically signed PDF.

Is true-copy certification enough?

It depends on the purpose. Some Bulgarian recipients may also want confirmation that the solicitor verified the document with the issuing university, company or public body.

Can you verify a UK Degree Certificate?

Yes, where the issuing university provides a reliable verification route.

Does an apostille recognise a UK degree in Bulgaria?

No. An apostille authenticates the relevant UK signature or seal. NACID, a Bulgarian university or another competent authority separately decides the qualification’s academic or professional effect.

What is NACID?

NACID is Bulgaria’s National Centre for Information and Documentation. It provides academic-recognition, secondary-education and foreign-qualification services.

Who recognises a degree for further study?

The rector of the accredited Bulgarian university where the applicant wants to study normally handles recognition for further education.

Is NACID recognition required for ordinary employment?

Not always. For a non-regulated profession, the employer can assess the foreign qualification directly. NACID recognition may be requested where the employer or another authority wants an official certificate.

Does NACID recognition grant access to a regulated profession?

No. A regulated profession requires a separate decision from the competent Bulgarian professional authority.

Does NACID need the Academic Transcript?

NACID requires the diploma and a Diploma Supplement or similar academic record. Therefore, the Academic Transcript is often important.

Do UK academic documents need a Bulgarian translation?

Yes, for the standard NACID route, the diploma and ordinary Diploma Supplement must normally include a Bulgarian translation.

Do UK academic documents need an apostille for NACID?

NACID’s current guidance states that documents issued in a Hague Convention country under the relevant category must carry an apostille from the country of origin.

How long does NACID recognition take?

The formal processing period is up to two months after all required documents and information have been submitted.

Is NACID academic recognition free?

NACID’s current FAQ states that its academic-recognition procedure is free of charge.

Who recognises a UK PhD for an academic position?

The rector of the relevant Bulgarian university or the head of the scientific organisation normally decides recognition for an academic or postdoctoral appointment.

Can NACID recognise a UK PhD for other employment?

Yes. NACID can issue a certificate where an employer or authority requires recognition for a non-academic purpose.

Are NACID doctoral-recognition certificates time-limited?

No. NACID states that its recognised doctoral-degree certificates remain valid indefinitely.

Do UK GCSEs and A Levels need recognition?

They may require recognition of foreign secondary education through NACID, depending on the purpose.

Does Bulgaria require a certified Bulgarian translation?

Often, yes. Academic recognition, civil-status, court and company procedures may require Bulgarian translations.

Who should translate a document for Bulgaria?

The acceptable translator depends on the procedure. The recipient may require a Bulgarian consular translation, an authorised translation provider or a translator whose signature is certified by a Bulgarian notary.

Can you apostille an Academic Transcript?

Yes. We can review, verify and certify an eligible Academic Transcript before arranging the FCDO apostille.

Can an ACRO Police Certificate receive an e-Apostille?

No. An ACRO Police Certificate must use the FCDO paper apostille route.

Do UK birth and marriage certificates need a paper apostille?

Where an apostille is required, General Register Office certificates must use the paper route because they cannot receive an e-Apostille.

Can several documents share one apostille?

Sometimes. However, NACID, a university, professional regulator, court, municipality or company registry may request a separate apostille for each document.

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