The legalization of documents is a process by which the veracity of a given document is certified. It is also related to the way the document can be used on the territory of a given country. It is very important for you to check whether you are supposed to present a legalized document or only an official translation of it.

As far as the legalization of documents issued by Bulgarian institutions is concerned, the following procedures must be followed:

1. The document should be presented for legalization in an appropriate format; you should make sure that all the seals and signatures of the officials are put on it and see whether it is an official copy or a notarially certified copy of the document. With the exception of the documents issued by the Municipality, all other documents should be certified in the respective ministry or state institution.
2. The second stage includes the translation of the document by a certified translator.
3. The final stage of the legalization requires the document, together with its translation, to be certified by the Consular Relations Directorate at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

It is only after the document has passed all these stages, that it can be used on the territory of the respective country.

When a document issued abroad is to be legalized in order to be used in Bulgaria, you should make sure that it has everything that is required. The document is then translated and certified by the Consular Relations Directorate at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.