---
title: "How to Get a Bulgarian Passport After Citizenship: Step by Step"
url: https://yeniversiyon.pages.dev/en/how-to-get-a-bulgarian-passport/
lang: en
published: 2026-10-02
description: "How to get a Bulgarian passport after the citizenship decision: certificate, birth record and EGN, ID card and passport application, and address registration."
source: BulgaristanVatandas.com (https://bulgaristanvatandas.com)
---
# How to Get a Bulgarian Passport After Citizenship: Step by Step
**To get a Bulgarian passport, the citizenship decision (UKAZ) must be issued first and the citizenship certificate collected. Then a Bulgarian birth record (акт за раждане) is drawn up and an EGN is assigned. After that you apply for an ID card (лична карта) and a passport, in Bulgaria or at a consulate. A registered address in Bulgaria is also needed.**
The citizenship decision does not mean the process is over. This article explains, in order, the steps from the decision to the passport.
## The decision is out. What now?
A citizenship application takes 1.5-3 years in practice. When the decision is positive, the file moves to the "Implementation" stage. This means you are a Bulgarian citizen. You can see the status in the [file status checking system](/en/bulgarian-citizenship-file-status-check-launched/).
The next procedures run in this order:
1. Collecting the citizenship certificate
2. Drawing up the Bulgarian birth record and the EGN
3. Applying for the ID card and passport
4. Address registration
## Step 1: Collecting the citizenship certificate
The citizenship certificate is the official proof of citizenship. How it is handed over depends on where you applied:
- **Applied through the Ministry of Justice in Sofia:** You book an appointment to collect it. You bring ID, the receipt for the fees and current photographs.
- **Applied through a consulate:** The certificate is sent to the consulate. You contact the consulate to learn that it has arrived. At this stage you may be asked for your registered address in Bulgaria.
You cannot move to the next steps without the certificate, because the passport and ID application are based on it. For your rights and duties see [rights and obligations after citizenship](/en/rights-and-obligations-after-bulgarian-citizenship/).
## Step 2: Bulgarian birth record and EGN
A person who receives citizenship is entered in the Bulgarian civil register. The following are produced:
- **Bulgarian birth record (акт за раждане):** The basis of your identity in Bulgarian records.
- **EGN:** The 10-digit personal number. It is asked for in almost every procedure in Bulgaria, from banks to healthcare. See [what is EGN and how to get it](/en/what-is-egn-bulgarian-personal-number/).
The entry is made by the municipality or the relevant institution, depending on the document type. Which municipality handles it depends on your address and file. If the name in your documents differs from the name in your home-country records, a problem can arise. In such cases a [name equivalence certificate](/en/name-equivalence-certificate-bulgaria/) matters.
## Step 3: ID card and passport application
The passport application is made in person, because fingerprints and a photo are taken. There are two ways:
| Route | Where | Note |
|---|---|---|
| In Bulgaria | ID and passport unit of the Ministry of Interior | You need to travel to Bulgaria |
| At a consulate | Bulgarian consulate in your country | Practical for people living abroad |
- **ID card (лична карта):** Shows your identity in Bulgaria. It can also be used for travel within the EU.
- **Passport (паспорт):** The travel document.
Applications for both can be planned together. Usually the citizenship certificate, the birth record, valid ID and photographs are requested. Current fees and times depend on the official tariff and may change. So confirm them with the institution before applying.
If you want a passport for your child, the process differs. We cover it in [getting a Bulgarian passport for a child](/en/bulgarian-passport-for-a-child/).
## Step 4: Address registration
A Bulgarian ID is tied to a registered address. Even if you do not live in Bulgaria, you generally need to declare a **permanent address**. This address:
- can be a home owned by a relative,
- can be documented with a rental contract,
- can be registered with the owner's consent.
Without address registration, problems can arise with the ID application. Which route suits you is assessed case by case.
## Which documents should you have ready?
The documents requested can vary with each application, but the general preparation is:
| Document | What it is for |
|---|---|
| Citizenship certificate | Shows that you are a citizen |
| Bulgarian birth record | Shows your registration and identity data |
| EGN | Used as your identity number in all applications |
| Valid ID or old passport | For identity verification |
| Current photographs | For the ID card and passport |
| Address document | To show the registered address |
The safest way is to confirm the documents with the consulate or institution before applying, so you do not have to go twice.
## Time and travel planning
Delivery time of the passport varies with the place of application, the workload and any expedited option. So giving an exact number of days would not be correct. If you have travel plans:
- Start the registration procedures right after you collect the citizenship certificate.
- Find out the appointment workload in advance.
- If applying with family members, plan the appointments for the same day.
- Do not fix your trip firmly until the passport is in your hands.
A Bulgarian passport gives its holder the right to move freely as a citizen of the European Union. You can learn which countries you can visit without a visa in [which countries Bulgarian citizens can travel to](/en/which-countries-can-bulgarian-citizens-travel-to/).
## Common mistakes with the passport
- Going to the passport application before collecting the citizenship certificate.
- Not arranging a registered address.
- Not resolving the difference between your home-country name and your Bulgarian name in advance.
- Leaving the Cyrillic and Latin spelling inconsistent. The Latin spelling in the passport is produced from the Cyrillic record, so the spelling of the name needs care.
## Handling the process with us
We manage every step from collecting the citizenship certificate to receiving the passport through our [citizenship services](/en/services/citizenship/). You can send your documents for a [free document review](/en/document-review/) or [book an online appointment](/en/online-appointment/).
## Frequently asked questions
Is a passport issued as soon as the citizenship decision comes out?
No. First the citizenship certificate is collected, the Bulgarian record and EGN are drawn up, and then the ID card and passport application is made.
Can I get the passport from my home country?
Yes. The application can also be made at Bulgarian consulates abroad. It is made in person, because fingerprints and a photo are taken.
How much does the passport cost?
The fee depends on the official tariff and may change. Confirm the current amount with the consulate or the institution before applying.
What if I have no address in Bulgaria?
A registered address is needed for the ID. Options include a relative's address or a rental contract; the suitable one is assessed case by case.
What is the difference between the ID card and the passport?
The ID card is your identity document in Bulgaria and also helps for travel within the EU. The passport is the general travel document. Both can be planned together.