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Document certification

Information on the legalization of:
- documents certifying completion of secondary education obtained in a foreign country school;
- documents certifying that the document for completion of secondary education entitles to continue education at higher education institutions;
- documents with grades that are not included in the document for completion of secondary education.
I. When documents are issued in countries that have not signed the Hague Convention:
1. Authenticity is certified by an authorized body in the respective country, which certifies the signature on the document.
2. When there is no authorized body in the respective country, which can certify the signature on the document, a notary or other authorized authority certifies its authenticity.
Note: A certification attesting the accuracy of a copy of a document cannot be accepted as equivalent to a certification attesting the authenticity of the document.
3. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the respective country certifies the signature of the person who performed the certification under item 1 or item 2. When the signature of the person who performed the certification under item 2 is certified by another authorized body, his or her signature is certified by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the respective country.
4. The signature of the person who performed the certification at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the respective country is certified by the Embassy of the Republic of Bulgaria in that country or by the Embassy of the country in the other country, after which it is certified by the Embassy of the Republic of Bulgaria in that country.

Information about the embassies where the relevant legalization is carried out can be found on the website of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Bulgaria in the section “Consular Services”, subsection “Certifications and Legalizations” by opening the relevant country here: https://www.mfa.bg/bg/embassyinfo.
II. When the documents are issued in countries that have signed the Hague Convention:
1. Authenticity is certified by an authorized body in the respective country, which certifies the signature on the document with an Apostille.
2. When there is no authorized body in the respective country, which can certify the signature on the document with an Apostille, a notary or other authorized authority certifies the authenticity of the document.
Note: A certification attesting the accuracy of a copy of a document cannot be accepted as equivalent to a certification attesting the authenticity of the document.
3. An authorized authority certifies the signature of the person who performed the certification under item 2 with an Apostille.

Information on the national authorities authorized to issue Apostille certificates can be found on the Hague Convention website by opening the relevant country here: https://www.hcch.net/en/instruments/conventions/authorities1/?cid=41.
When the issued Apostille certificate can be verified in an electronic register by visualizing the certified document and the issued Apostille, the original document may not be submitted.
Information about the electronic registers where you can check whether your document is displayed in its entirety can be found on the Hague Convention website by opening the relevant country here: https://www.hcch.net/en/instruments/conventions/specialised-sections/operational-e-registers.
III. The documents must be translated into Bulgarian. If they are translated in the Republic of Bulgaria, they must contain a notarial certificate on the translator's signature. If they are translated at the Embassy of the Republic of Bulgaria in the respective country, they must contain a certification of the translator's signature, performed at the embassy.

England

The following documents are required for the recognition of secondary education obtained in schools in England or in schools that conduct teaching and assessment according to the English education system, as well as for the equivalence of grades:

1. For the issuance of a certificate and/or a verification letter, a document/documents with the results of at least three Advanced Level subjects (original documents, a copy of the documents, certified by a notary or by the school) shall be attached to the application. The authenticity of the document must be verified by a notary/lawyer, which is stated in the text of the certification – the signature of the official who signed the document is certified, or the notary/lawyer expressly states that he/she has verified the authenticity of the document. The signature of the notary/lawyer is certified with an Apostille.

Information from UK ENIC (https://www.enic.org.uk/Documents/Guide%20to%20the%20UK%20education%20systems_final.pdf): General Certificate of Education Advanced Level (GCE A level) The GCE Advanced level (commonly known as A level) has been offered in England, Wales and Northern Ireland since the 1950s. A levels are offered by different examination boards. Three full A levels is the typical entry requirement for UK higher education institutions. A level courses are typically studied over two years; most students study three subjects.

2. Official letter № 04-01-100/18.11.2025 from the Embassy of Bulgaria in the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland certifies that the document under item 1 entitles to continue education at higher education institutions and therefore there is no need for presenting additional documents regarding this circumstance.

3. For the issuance of an official note, a document/documents with the grades for which equivalence is requested shall be attached to the application. The authenticity of the document must be verified by a notary/lawyer, which is stated in the text of the certification – the signature of the official who signed the document is certified, or the notary/lawyer expressly states that he/she has verified the authenticity of the document. The signature of the notary/lawyer is certified with an Apostille.

4. The documents referred to in items 1 and 3 shall be translated into Bulgarian and shall contain the notarial certificate on the translator's signature when translated in Bulgaria, or the certification of the translator's signature at the Bulgarian embassy when the translation is performed there.

  When one of the documents is an official electronic document or the data contained in the paper document can be established and/or verified through an official electronic register by visualizing them and data for access to the register is provided, the original document may not be submitted.
  Apostille certificates in England cannot be visualized in an electronic register and the original documents must therefore be submitted.

Ireland

The following documents are required for the recognition of secondary education obtained in schools in Ireland, as well as for the equivalence of grades:

1. For the issuance of a certificate and/or verification letter, a Leaving Certificate (an original document, a copy of the document, certified by a notary or by the school) must be attached to the application. The authenticity of the document must be verified by a notary/lawyer, which is stated in the text of the certification – the signature of the official who signed the document is certified, or the notary/lawyer expressly states that he/she has verified the authenticity of the document. The signature of the notary/lawyer is certified with an Apostille.

2. For the issuance of a certificate, a document shall be attached to the application stating that the document under item 1 entitles to continue education at higher education institutions. The authenticity of the document must be verified by a notary/lawyer, which shall be stated in the text of the certification – the signature of the official who signed the document shall be certified, or the notary/lawyer shall expressly state that he/she has verified the authenticity of the document. The signature of the notary/lawyer is certified with an Apostille. The document certifies the right to continue education in higher education institutions, given by the document under item 1, and there is no requirement for the applicant's name to appear on it.

Note: The document should certify that the results give the right to continue education in higher education institutions, i.e. to study in higher education institutions, not to apply for studying.

3. For the issuance of an official note, a document with the grades for which equivalence is requested shall be attached to the application if the grades are not listed in the Leaving Certificate. The authenticity of the document must be verified by a notary/lawyer, which shall be stated in the text of the certification – the signature of the official who signed the document is certified, or the notary/lawyer expressly states that he/she has verified the authenticity of the document. The signature of the notary/lawyer is certified with an Apostille.

4. The documents referred to in items 1, 2, and 3 shall be translated into Bulgarian and shall contain the notarial certificate on the translator's signature when translated in Bulgaria, or the certification of the translator's signature at the Bulgarian embassy when the translation is performed there.

When one of the documents is an official electronic document or the data contained in the paper document can be established and/or verified through an official electronic register by visualizing them and data for access to the register is provided, the original document may not be submitted.
Apostille certificates in Ireland cannot be visualized in an electronic register and the original documents must therefore be submitted.

Scotland

The following documents are required for the recognition of secondary education obtained in schools in Scotland, as well as for the equivalence of grades:

1. For the issuance of a certificate and/or verification letter, a document/documents with Higher and/or Advanced Higher results (an original document, a copy of the document, certified by a notary or by the school) must be attached to the application. The authenticity of the document must be verified by a notary/lawyer, which is stated in the text of the certification – the signature of the official who signed the document is certified, or the notary/lawyer expressly states he/she has verified the authenticity of the document. The signature of the notary/lawyer is certified by an Apostille.

2. For the issuance of a certificate, a document shall be attached to the application stating that the document under item 1 entitles to continue education at higher education institutions. The authenticity of the document must be verified by a notary/lawyer, which is stated in the text of the certification – the signature of the official who signed the document is certified, or the notary/lawyer expressly states that he/she has verified the authenticity of the document. The signature of the notary/lawyer is certified with an Apostille. The document certifies the right to continue education in higher education institutions, given by the document under item 1, and there is no requirement for the applicant's name to appear on it.

Note: The document should certify that the results give the right to continue education in higher education institutions, i.e. to study in higher education institutions, not to apply for studying.

3. For the issuance of an official note, a document/documents with the grades for which equivalence is requested shall be attached to the application. The authenticity of the document must be verified by a notary/lawyer, which is stated in the text of the certification – the signature of the official who signed the document is certified, or the notary/lawyer expressly states that he/she has verified the authenticity of the document. The signature of the notary/lawyer is certified with an Apostille.

4. The documents referred to in items 1, 2, and 3 shall be translated into Bulgarian and shall contain the notarial certificate on the translator's signature when translated in Bulgaria, or the certification of the translator's signature at the Bulgarian embassy when the translation is performed there.
When one of the documents is an official electronic document or the data contained in the paper document can be established and/or verified through an official electronic register by visualizing them and data for access to the register is provided, the original document may not be submitted.
Apostille certificates in Scotland cannot be visualized in an electronic register and the original documents must therefore be submitted.

Ukraine

The following documents are required for the recognition of secondary education obtained in schools in Ukraine, as well as for the equivalence of grades:

1. For the issuance of a certificate and/or verification letter, a document for a complete general secondary education shall be attached to the application (Атестат про повну загальну середню освіту - until January 1, 2019; Свiдоцтво про здобуття повноï загальноï середноï освiти – from January 1, 2019) (an original document, a copy of the document, certified by a notary or by the school). The authenticity of the document is certified by the Ministry of Education and Science of Ukraine, which certifies the signature on the document with an Apostille.
Since 2000, documents have been entered into a public electronic register of the Ministry of Education and Science of Ukraine - https://info.edbo.gov.ua/edu-documents/, where the data from them is displayed upon request. When the document for a complete general secondary education is entered in the public electronic register, the authenticity of the document can be verified by NACID in the electronic register and it is not necessary to certify the authenticity with an Apostille.

Note: Please check in advance whether the data from the document for complete general secondary education corresponds to the data in the public electronic register in order to avoid a refusal of recognition.

2. Pursuant to Article 5 of the Agreement between the Government of the Republic of Bulgaria and the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine on the mutual recognition of educational documents, academic degrees, and academic titles (in force since June 24, 2002, published in State Gazette No. 78/2002), secondary education documents issued in the Republic of Bulgaria and the complete general secondary education documents issued in Ukraine, which entitle their holders to apply for admission to higher education institutions in the territory of the respective country, shall be mutually recognized, and therefore there is no need for presenting additional documents regarding this circumstance.

3. For the issuance of an official note, a document containing the grades for which equivalence is requested shall be attached to the application. The authenticity of the document must be certified by the Ministry of Education and Science of Ukraine, which certifies the signature on the document with an Apostille.

4. The documents referred to in items 1, 2, and 3 shall be translated into Bulgarian and shall contain the notarial certificate on the translator's signature when translated in Bulgaria, or the certification of the translator's signature at the Bulgarian embassy when the translation is performed there.

When one of the documents is an official electronic document or the data contained in the paper document can be established and/or verified through an official electronic register by visualizing them and data for access to the register is provided, the original document may not be submitted.
Apostille certificates in Ukraine can be verified in the following electronic register: https://enic.in.ua/index.php/en/aporegen, where the contents of the secondary education document are displayed and the original document therefore may not be submitted.

Note: Please check in advance the Apostille certificate and the data from the complete general secondary education document, which are displayed when checking it in the public electronic register, in order to avoid a refusal of recognition.

Germany

The following documents are required for the recognition of secondary education obtained in schools in Germany and for the equivalence of grades:

1. For the issuance of a certificate and/or a verification letter, a document certifying completion of secondary education (Zeugnis der Allgemeinen Hochschulreife), which is obtained after successful passing of final exams (Abitur), must be attached to the application (an original document, a copy of the document, certified by a notary or by the school).

The authenticity of the document is certified by an authorized body in the respective federal state, who certifies the signature on the secondary education document (of the school principal/representative or the chair of the examination board) with an Apostille.

Note: An Apostille certifying the signature of the notary, who certifies the accuracy of a copy of a document, is not accepted as certification of the authenticity of the document.

2. The secondary education document contains text certifying the right of the holder to continue education at higher education institutions in the Federal Republic of Germany, therefore no additional document is required in this regard.

3. For the issuance of an official note, a document with the grades, for which equivalence is requested, must be attached to the application. The authenticity of the document is certified by an authorized body in the respective federal state, who certifies the signature on the document with an Apostille.

Note: An Apostille certifying the signature of the notary, who certifies the accuracy of a copy of a document, is not accepted as certification of the authenticity of the document.

4. The documents referred to in items 1 and 3 shall be translated into Bulgarian and shall contain the notarial certificate on the translator's signature when translated in Bulgaria, or the certification of the translator's signature at the Bulgarian embassy when the translation is performed there.
  When one of the documents is an official electronic document or the data contained in the paper document can be established and/or verified through an official electronic register by visualizing it and data for access to the register is provided, the original document may not be submitted.
Apostille certificates in Germany cannot be visualized in an electronic register and the original documents must therefore be submitted.

Turkey

The following documents are required for the recognition of secondary education obtained in schools in the Republic of Turkey, as well as for the equivalence of grades:

1. For the issuance of a certificate and/or verification letter, a document certifying completion of secondary education (Lise/Lisesi Diploması or a certificate of lost diploma) (an original document, a copy of the document, certified by a notary or by the school) must be attached to the application.

The authenticity of the document is certified by the district administrations, who certify the signature on the secondary education document (of the school principal/representative or the regional directorate of national education) with an Apostille.

Note: An Apostille certifying the signature of the notary, who certifies the accuracy of a copy of a document, is not accepted as certification of the authenticity of the document.

When the secondary education document is issued after 2008, the authenticity of the document is verified by NACID in the public electronic register: https://eokulyd.meb.gov.tr/IlkOgretim/MEM/IOM00010.aspx. Please, check in advance whether the data in the secondary education document corresponds to the data in the public electronic register in order to avoid a refusal of recognition.

2. For the issuance of a certificate, a document must be attached to the application, certifying that the document in point 1 gives the right to continue education at higher education institutions.

The authenticity of the document is certified by the district administrations, who certify the signature on the document with an Apostille.

Note: An Apostille certifying the signature of the notary, who certifies the accuracy of a copy of a document, is not accepted as certification of the authenticity of the document.

3. For the issuance of an official note, a document with the grades, for which equivalence is requested, must be attached to the application.

The authenticity of the document is certified by the district administrations, who certify the signature on the document (of the school principal/representative or the regional directorate of national education) with an Apostille.

Note: An Apostille certifying the signature of the notary, who certifies the accuracy of a copy of a document, is not accepted as certification of the authenticity of the document.

4. The documents referred to in points 1, 2, and 3 shall be translated into Bulgarian and shall contain the notarial certificate on the translator's signature when translated in Bulgaria, or the certification of the translator's signature at the Bulgarian embassy when the translation is performed there.

When any of the documents is an official electronic document or the data contained in the paper document can be established and/or verified through an official electronic register by displaying it, data for access to the register shall also be provided and the original document may not be submitted.

Apostille certificates in Turkey cannot be viewed in an electronic register and the original documents must therefore be submitted.