The Role of the Notary in Bulgaria

A Bulgarian notary public (нотариус) is a licensed legal professional who performs official acts of authentication and certification. Unlike in some countries where notarization is a simple formality, Bulgarian notaries have significant legal responsibilities and their acts carry strong legal weight.

Which Documents Require Notarization?

Bulgarian law requires notarization for:

• Property transfers — all sales, donations, and exchanges of real estate
• Mortgages — creating or releasing mortgages on property
• Powers of attorney — for property transactions, court representation, and other significant legal acts
• Declarations and consents — spousal consent for property sales, declarations under various laws
• Wills — notarial wills (one of the valid forms in Bulgaria)
• Certified copies — notarized copies of original documents
• Signature verification — certifying that a signature is genuine

Types of Notarial Acts

Notarial Deed (Нотариален акт)

The most formal notarial act, used for property transfers. The notary:

• Verifies the identities and legal capacity of the parties
• Checks the legality of the transaction
• Reads the entire document aloud
• Witnesses the signing
• Registers the deed with the Registry Agency

Certification of Signatures

The notary certifies that a person personally signed a document. Used for:

• Powers of attorney
• Declarations and consents
• Contracts that require authenticated signatures

Certification of Content

The notary certifies that a copy is identical to the original document. This creates a certified copy with the same legal force as the original.

Certification of Date

The notary certifies the date on which a document was presented, providing legal proof of its existence at that time.

The Notarization Process

Step 1: Prepare Documents

Gather all necessary documents and ensure they meet the legal requirements. For foreigners, this means having:

• Valid passport for identification
• Certified translations of any foreign-language documents
• Any supporting documents required for the specific transaction

Step 2: Choose a Notary

• For property transactions, the notary must be in the district where the property is located
• For other matters, you can use any notary in Bulgaria
• Your lawyer can recommend a reliable notary

Step 3: Attend the Notary’s Office

• Both parties must appear in person (or through a representative with a proper power of attorney)
• If a party does not speak Bulgarian, a sworn interpreter must be present
• The notary verifies identities using original identification documents

Step 4: The Notarial Act

• The notary explains the legal consequences of the act
• The document is read aloud (mandatory for notarial deeds)
• Parties confirm their understanding and agreement
• All parties sign the document
• The notary stamps, signs, and registers the act

Notary Fees

Notary fees in Bulgaria are regulated by tariff and are based on the type of act and the value of the transaction:

Act	Fee
Property transfer (notarial deed)	0.1–1.5% of the higher of sale price or tax value (degressive scale)
Signature certification	BGN 5–10 per signature
Certified copy	BGN 3–5 per page
Power of attorney	BGN 10–30 + signature certification

Fees are set by the Notary Chamber and are the same for all notaries.

Important Tips for Foreigners

• Bring your passport — Bulgarian ID cards are not issued to most foreigners
• Arrange an interpreter in advance if you do not speak Bulgarian
• Review documents beforehand — ask your lawyer to explain everything before the notary appointment
• Check notary availability — busy notaries may need appointments scheduled in advance
• Keep certified copies — notarized originals should be stored safely; use certified copies for everyday purposes

Notarization Services in Troyan

Troyan has qualified notaries serving the district. Attorney Biser Dimov works closely with local notaries to coordinate notarization for foreign clients, ensuring all documents are properly prepared and the process runs smoothly. Contact us for help with your notarization needs.