Topic: Birth and Marriage Registration
Recognition of a Foreign Divorce in Bulgaria: How a Court Decision from Türkiye or Elsewhere Is Recorded
Recognition of a foreign divorce in Bulgaria: a non-EU court decision is recognised directly by the registrar. Required documents, steps and what to do if refused.
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A divorce decision issued by a court outside the European Union, for example in Türkiye, is recognised in Bulgaria directly, without a separate lawsuit. Under the Bulgarian Private International Law Code (КМЧП), the civil registrar checks the conditions and records the divorce. You need a certified copy of the decision, a finality certificate, a notarised declaration, an apostille and a Bulgarian translation.
This article explains how recognition works, which documents to prepare and what happens if the registrar refuses.
Why must a foreign divorce be recognised in Bulgaria?
Suppose you divorced in your home country, for example in Türkiye. If the Bulgarian civil record still shows you as married, then in Bulgaria’s eyes the marriage continues. This causes several problems:
- You cannot register a new marriage in Bulgaria. The old marriage is still open in the record.
- Your marital status stays wrong in official records, which can cause trouble in inheritance and property matters.
- You cannot return to your previous surname in Bulgarian records until the record is updated.
If your marriage was registered in Bulgaria earlier, this article is important for you. For the marriage itself, see registering a marriage in Bulgaria.
How is a foreign divorce decision recognised?
Recognition of foreign court decisions in Bulgaria is governed by the Private International Law Code (Кодекс на международното частно право, КМЧП). Articles 117 and 118 set the conditions under which foreign decisions are recognised.
The key point: the decision is recognised directly. You do not need to start a separate court case in Bulgaria. The civil registrar at the municipality checks whether the conditions are met. If they are, the divorce is entered in the record.
In general the registrar looks at the following:
- The decision comes from a court and has become final.
- The documents carry an apostille and are properly translated.
- The decision does not conflict with Bulgarian public policy.
- The other spouse was informed of the case and had a chance to defend themselves.
Note: Special situations, such as a Bulgarian court having already decided on the same matter, can affect recognition. If your file may include such a case, we recommend a free preliminary review first.
Required documents
| Document | Where to get it | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Certified copy of the divorce decision | The family court that issued it | Must carry the court seal and certification |
| Finality note or certificate | The same court | Shows that no appeal is possible |
| Notarised declaration | Notary | Confirms the decision was not later cancelled and no related case is pending |
| Apostille | Governor’s or district office (in Türkiye) | For the decision and the finality certificate |
| Official Bulgarian translation | Sworn translator | The apostille text is translated too |
| Marriage certificate and ID | Civil registry, Bulgarian ID | Shows which record the marriage is based on |
Our guide on how to obtain a Bulgarian marriage certificate can help with preparation. For translations, see our translation service.
Step-by-step recognition process
- File review: The decision, its finality and the marriage record are checked together.
- Preparing documents in your home country: You obtain the certified copy and finality certificate, and make the notarised declaration.
- Apostille: The documents are legalised with an apostille.
- Bulgarian translation: Everything is officially translated into Bulgarian.
- Application: The documents are submitted to the civil registrar at your municipality, or through a consulate.
- Review and entry: The registrar examines the conditions. If they are met, the divorce is recorded and your marital status is updated.
The time depends on the municipality and on the file. We do not promise a fixed number of days. With complete documents, the process usually moves within a few weeks.
What if the registrar refuses?
The registrar can refuse because of a missing document or an unmet condition. First, the reason for the refusal is examined. If a document is missing, it is completed and you apply again.
If the reason is a legal one, the court route is open. These cases are usually heard at the Sofia City Court, which decides whether the foreign decision is recognised in Bulgaria. At this stage you need a Bulgarian lawyer. Still, most files are settled at the registrar stage when documents are prepared correctly.
Can a new marriage be registered before the divorce is recognised?
No. While the earlier marriage remains open in the Bulgarian record, a new marriage cannot be registered, because the person still appears as married. The correct order is:
- First, recognition and recording of the divorce in Bulgaria.
- Then, registration of the new marriage.
If both are planned together, time is saved. We can have the documents prepared at the same time.
Effect on surname and children’s records
Surname: After a divorce you may keep the surname you took at marriage or return to your previous one. To reflect the change in Bulgarian records, the divorce must be recognised first. For details see surname after marriage in Bulgarian records.
Children: A divorce does not change a child’s Bulgarian citizenship or birth record. A child who is a Bulgarian citizen by birth stays a citizen. If the decision also covers custody, how those parts appear in records depends on the file. For birth records, see our article on birth registration.
Professional support
Recognition of a divorce leaves little room for error in document order and translation. In our birth and marriage registration service we review your decision, prepare the documents and follow the application for you. You can send your papers for a free document review or book an online appointment.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need to file a lawsuit in Bulgaria for my divorce from Türkiye?
Usually not. Your decision is recognised directly under the Bulgarian Private International Law Code, and the civil registrar checks the conditions and makes the entry. A lawsuit comes up only if the application is refused.
Why is a finality certificate required?
It shows that the decision can no longer be appealed. Bulgaria recognises only final decisions.
Can I remarry before the divorce is recognised?
Remarrying in your home country depends on its own law. But to register the new marriage in Bulgaria, the divorce must first be recognised in the Bulgarian record.
What can I do if the application is refused?
First the reason is examined. If a document is missing, it is completed and you reapply. For a legal reason, an application to the Sofia City Court is possible.
Does a divorce affect my child's Bulgarian citizenship?
No. The citizenship of a child who is Bulgarian by birth is not affected by the parents’ divorce.
