--- title: "Name Equivalence Certificate in Bulgaria: What It Is and When You Need It" url: https://yeniversiyon.pages.dev/en/name-equivalence-certificate-bulgaria/ lang: en published: 2026-10-02 description: "A name equivalence certificate shows that different spellings in your home and Bulgarian records belong to one person. Reasons and process. Get a free review." source: BulgaristanVatandas.com (https://bulgaristanvatandas.com) --- # Name Equivalence Certificate in Bulgaria: What It Is and When You Need It **A name equivalence certificate shows that names written differently in your home-country records and in Bulgarian records belong to the same person. In Bulgarian it is called удостоверение за идентичност на имена (or "for a person with different names"). It is usually issued by the municipality where your Bulgarian record is kept, and it removes name mismatches in citizenship and civil-registry procedures.** This guide explains why the certificate is needed, when it is requested and how the process generally works. ## What is a name equivalence certificate? A person can be recorded under one name in Bulgaria and under another elsewhere, for example in Türkiye. Even when both records describe the same individual, an authority cannot assume it. The certificate builds that link: it states that the person in this record and the person in that record are the same. The certificate does not change a name. It only confirms that two spellings belong to one person. That is why it is common in citizenship files and civil-registry work. ## Why do names differ? Several reasons are common, especially in families that emigrated: - **Names changed during emigration:** because of the practices of the time, names may have been changed in Bulgaria, and the family may have used another name after arriving abroad. - **Surname laws:** after surname legislation in the new country, surnames may have been taken or spelled differently. - **Cyrillic and Latin spelling:** Bulgarian records use the Cyrillic alphabet. When transferred to Latin letters, spellings can vary from source to source. - **Clerical errors:** even a one-letter difference in an old record can cause trouble later. - **Surname change by marriage:** especially for women, maiden and married surnames appear in different records. ## When is the certificate needed? It comes up when: - a parent's or grandparent's record does not match the names in your own documents in a citizenship application; - you find your ancestor in Bulgarian records, but your home-country papers show another spelling; - parents' names are written differently in two countries in a birth or marriage registration; - you need to complete a property, inheritance or other official procedure in Bulgaria. To find out how an ancestor's record connects to your case, see [who can get Bulgarian citizenship](/en/who-can-get-bulgarian-citizenship/). ## Who issues it? As a general rule, the municipality (civil registry office) where the person's Bulgarian record is kept issues the certificate. So the municipality you apply to depends on where you or your ancestor are registered. The competent office can vary with the state of the record. For this reason, confirm where the record is held before applying. ## General process 1. **Locate the records:** get a copy of the Bulgarian record (name, place and date of birth) and your home-country civil registry extract. 2. **Identify the difference:** place the records side by side and note which letters or names differ. 3. **Prepare the documents:** apostille the documents from your home country and translate them into Bulgarian. See our [civil registry extract and apostille guide](/en/civil-registry-extract-and-apostille-guide/). 4. **Apply:** submit a request to the relevant municipality, explaining the difference and attaching proof. 5. **Decision:** if the municipality is satisfied, it issues the certificate. 6. **Use it:** attach the certificate to your citizenship or civil-registry file. Details depend on the case. Timing and extra proof can differ between municipalities. ## Which documents may be requested? | Document | Purpose | |---|---| | Home-country civil registry extract | To show the name used there | | Bulgarian record or ancestor's document | To show the name used in Bulgaria | | Old ID, passport or school records | To prove how the name was used over time | | Sworn translation into Bulgarian | So foreign documents are accepted | | Application letter | To explain the reason for the difference | > **Tip:** The more consistent documents you can provide (old IDs, military, school or property records), the easier it is to show that the records belong to one person. ## Children and birth registration A name difference can also affect a child's birth registration. We cover this in [birth registration and Bulgarian citizenship for children](/en/birth-registration-bulgarian-citizenship-for-children/). Spelling names consistently in translation prevents later problems. ## Tips before you apply Compare the records calmly. Writing down which name appears in which document, with the document type and date, makes the difference easy to explain. Identify the difference first, then collect documents. Collecting unnecessary papers wastes time and money. ## Common mistakes - **Treating every difference as minor:** even one letter can stop a procedure. - **Using different translators with different spellings:** the same name must be rendered identically everywhere. - **Throwing away old documents:** every paper showing the name's history helps. - **Applying to the wrong municipality:** confirm where the record is held first. ## Why get professional support? Spotting name differences, finding records and sending documents to the right municipality takes experience. In our [citizenship services](/en/services/citizenship/) we review your records and, if needed, run the certificate process on your behalf. You can send your papers for a [free document review](/en/document-review/) or [book an online appointment](/en/online-appointment/). ## Frequently asked questions
Does the certificate change my name? No. It only confirms that two different spellings belong to the same person. Changing a name is a separate procedure.
Where do I get it? Usually from the municipality where the Bulgarian record is kept. The competent office can vary, so the location of the record is confirmed first.
Is it needed in every citizenship file? No. It is needed only when names in your documents and the Bulgarian records do not match. If the names are the same, it is normally not required.
My surname changed in my home country. What should I do? Collect the records showing the change and your old documents. They are used to explain the difference and to prepare the certificate request.
Do I need to travel to Bulgaria? Often not. The procedure can be handled on your behalf with a power of attorney. Whether that is possible depends on your file.