Source: http://embajadas.ossiris.net/bulgaria/bulgarian-citizenship.htm
Timestamp: 2018-10-24 02:51:05
Document Index: 280509444

Matched Legal Cases: ['§ 1', '§ 2', '§ 3', '§ 4', '§ 5', '§ 6', '§ 7', '§ 8', '§ 9', '§ 11', 'Art. 36', 'Art. 36', 'Art. 36']

Bulgarian Citizenship | bulgaria
REPUBLIC OF BULGARIANATIONAL ASSEMBLY
This Act shall stipulate the conditions and procedure of acquisition, loss and reinstatement of Bulgarian citizenship.
Bulgarian citizenship shall be governed by the Constitution of the Republic of Bulgaria, this Act and the international agreements in force at the time of occurrence of the facts or events related to citizenship.
Any Bulgarian citizen who is also a citizen of another state shall only be considered a Bulgarian citizen in the application of the Bulgarian legislation unless otherwise provided for by law.
Citizenship may not be established through legal proceedings.
Contraction or dissolution of marriage between a Bulgarian citizen and an alien or any change of citizenship of one of the spouses during the marriage shall not change by right the citizenship of the other spouse.
Adoption shall not affect the citizenship of the adopted person.
(1) Any person may not be deprived of Bulgarian citizenship with the exception of cases explicitly envisaged in this Act
(2) Any person shall have the right to a choice of citizenship.
Chapter Two ACQUISITION OF BULGARIAN CITIZENSHIP
Acquisition of Bulgarian Citizenship by Origin
Any person whose one parent least is a Bulgarian citizen shall be a Bulgarian citizen by origin.
Any person who has been fathered by a Bulgarian citizen or whose descent from a Bulgarian citizen has been established by way of a court ruling shall be a Bulgarian citizen by origin.
Acquisition of Bulgarian Citizenship by Place of Birth
Any person who was born in the territory of the Republic of Bulgaria unless he/she has acquired foreign citizenship by origin shall be a Bulgarian citizen by place of birth.
Any child found in the territory of the Republic of Bulgaria whose parents are unknown shall be deemed as born in this territory.
Acquisition of Bulgarian Citizenship through Naturalization
Any person who is not a Bulgarian citizen may acquire Bulgarian citizenship if as of the date of filing an application for naturalization:
1. is a major;
2. was granted permission for permanent residence in the Republic of Bulgaria not less than five years ago;
3. has not been sentenced by a Bulgarian court for a premeditated crime of a general nature and has not been the subject of criminal proceedings for such a crime unless the person concerned has been rehabilitated;
4. has an income and occupation enabling him/her to support himself/herself in the Republic of Bulgaria;
5. has a command of the Bulgarian language subject to verification in accordance with a procedure established by an order of the Minister of Education and Culture, and
Any person who is not a Bulgarian citizen, satisfies the conditions under Article 12, sub-paragraphs 1, 3, 4, 5 and 6 and, not less than three years as of the date of filing the application for naturalization, was granted permission for permanent residence in the Republic of Bulgaria may acquire Bulgarian citizenship if he/she also meets one of the following requirements:
1. has been, for at least three years, and still is, legally married to a Bulgarian citizen;
2. (Repealed SG No. 41/2001);
3. was born in the Republic of Bulgaria;
4. was granted permission for permanent residence before he/she became of age;
5. (Repealed SG No. 41/2001).
Article 13a(New SG No. 41/2001)
Any person who was granted a refugee status not less than three years before the date of filing the application for naturalization may acquire Bulgarian citizenship if he/she meets the requirements under Article 12, sub-paragraphs 1, 3, 4 and 5.
Article 14(Amended SG No. 41/2001)
Any person without citizenship may acquire Bulgarian citizenship if he/she satisfies the conditions under Article 12, sub-paragraphs 1, 3, 4 and 5 and, not less than three years as of the date of filing an application for naturalization, was granted permission for permanent residence in the Republic of Bulgaria.
Article 15(Amended SG No. 41/2001)
Any person who is not a Bulgarian citizen may acquire Bulgarian citizenship through naturalization not subject to the provisions of Article 12, sub-paragraphs 2, 4, 5 and 6 if he/she meets one of the following requirements:
1. is of a Bulgarian origin ;
2. has been adopted by a Bulgarian citizen on terms of full adoption;
3. one of his/her parents is a Bulgarian citizen or has passed away as a Bulgarian citizen.
Any person who is not a Bulgarian citizen may acquire Bulgarian citizenship not subject to the provisions of Article 12 if the Republic of Bulgaria has an interest in his/her naturalization or if the person concerned has made a special contribution to the Republic of Bulgaria in the social and economic spheres, in the field of science, technology, culture or sports.
Children of up to 14 years of age shall acquire Bulgarian citizenship if their parents or the surviving parent acquire Bulgarian citizenship or whose only one parent does so in case the other parent is a Bulgarian citizen. Under the same conditions children of 14 to 18 years of age shall acquire Bulgarian citizenship if they wish so.
(1) If children of up to 14 years of age, whose only one parent is a Bulgarian citizen, do not hold Bulgarian citizenship they may become Bulgarian citizens not subject to the provisions of Article 12 if both parents or the surviving parent agree to give their consent /to that end/ in writing. There shall be no requirement for the consent of any parent who has been deprived of parental rights. Children of 14 to 18 years of age may acquire Bulgarian citizenship under the same conditions if they wish so.
(2) (Amended SG No. 41/2001) Pursuant to the provisions of paragraph 1 any persons adopted by Bulgarian citizens on terms of full adoption may also acquire Bulgarian citizenship.
The application of any person meeting the requirements for acquisition of Bulgarian citizenship through naturalization shall be refused if there are serious grounds to believe that due to his/her conduct he/she may constitute a threat to public order, public morals, public health or national security.
Chapter Three LOSS OF BULGARIAN CITIZENSHIP
Any Bulgarian citizen who permanently resides abroad may request to be released from Bulgarian citizenship if he/she has acquired foreign citizenship or if there is information indicating that a procedure for acquisition of foreign citizenship is underway.
(1) Release of parents from Bulgarian citizenship shall also release their children under fourteen years of age only if an application has been filed to that end. Release of children of 14 to 18 years of age shall be subject to their consent as well.
(2) When one of the parents has applied to be released from Bulgarian citizenship the children may also be released thereof under the provisions of paragraph 1 only if the other parent has agreed to that. No agreement shall be required if the parent concerned has been deprived of parental rights.
(1) Naturalization through which Bulgarian citizenship was acquired may be revoked if the person concerned:
1. has supplied information or facts serving as grounds for acquisition of Bulgarian citizenship which were established, through legal proceedings, to have been false, and/or
2. has concealed information or facts which, had they been known, would have served as grounds to refuse acquisition of Bulgarian citizenship.
(2) Revocation of naturalization may only be effected within ten years from the acquisition of Bulgarian citizenship.
Revocation of naturalization of one of the spouses shall not revoke the naturalization of the other spouse and the children unless they have also acquired Bulgarian citizenship on the grounds of the same false or concealed information and facts.
Any person who has acquired Bulgarian citizenship through naturalization may be deprived of it if that person has an effective sentence for a grave crime committed against the Republic of Bulgaria provided he/she is abroad and does not become stateless.
Deprivation of citizenship of one of the spouses shall not affect the citizenship of the other spouse and the children.
Chapter Four REINSTATEMENT OF BULGARIAN CITIZENSHIP
(1) Any person released from Bulgarian citizenship may have his/her citizenship reinstated at his/her request if:
1. he/she has not been convicted by an effective sentence for a premeditated crime in the state of residence or in the Republic of Bulgaria, and
2. does not constitute a threat to the public order, public morals, public health or national security.
3. (New SG No. 41/2001) he/she was granted permission for permanent residence in the Republic of Bulgaria not less than three years before the date of filing the application for reinstatement.
(2) (Amended SG No. 41/2001) The citizenship of any person of Bulgarian origin may be reinstated under the provisions of paragraph 1, sub-paragraph 1 and 2 above.
Any person deprived of Bulgarian citizenship may have his/her citizenship reinstated if it is established that there have been no grounds for deprivation or the grounds have been invalidated.
(1) In case of reinstatement of Bulgarian citizenship to parents, their children who have not turned 14 years shall also become Bulgarian citizens. Children of 14 to 18 years of age shall become Bulgarian citizens if they have requested that as well.
(2) When reinstatement has only been requested by one of the parents children may acquire Bulgarian citizenship under the provisions of paragraph 1 only subject to the consent of the other parent. There shall be no requirement for the consent of any parent who has been deprived of parental rights.
Chapter Five PROCEEDINGS RELATED TO BULGARIAN CITIZENSHIP
(1) Bulgarian citizenship shall be acquired through naturalization, released from and reinstated at the request of the person concerned by way of an application filed in person, by post or through a person expressly authorized for this purpose through a Notary Public. Any application filed by post or through a plenipotentiary should bear a signature authenticated by a Notary Public.
(2) For minors, the application shall be filed by their parents or guardians, for persons under age - the application shall be countersigned by parents or guardians. There shall be no requirement for the consent of a parent who has been deprived of parental rights.
A proposal for acquisition of Bulgarian citizenship under Article 16 shall be put forward by the Minister responsible for the respective field where Bulgaria has an interest in the naturalization of the person concerned or where that person has made a special contribution. The person who is to acquire Bulgarian citizenship should have given his/her consent in writing to that end in advance.
(1) A proposal for revocation of naturalization or deprivation of Bulgarian citizenship shall be made by the Prosecutor General .
(2) In case the conditions under Article 22 or Article 24 have not been complied with, the Minister of Justice may make a proposal himself on revocation of naturalization or deprivation of Bulgarian citizenship.
(1) Any application and proposals under Articles 29, 30 and 31, paragraph 1 shall be addressed to the Minister of Justice.
(2) In case the applicant resides abroad the application may be filed through the respective diplomatic or consular mission of the Republic of Bulgaria which shall be obliged to present its well-grounded opinion;
(3) The application and documents attached thereto should be written in Bulgarian.
(1) (Amended SG No. 41/2001) Under the Ministry of Justice there shall be a Citizenship Council consisting of a chairman - a Deputy Minister of Justice, and members - a representative of the Ministry of Justice, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of the Interior, the Ministry of Regional Development and Urban Planning, the Ministry of Labour and Social Policy, the Ministry of Health each, and the State Agency for Bulgarians Abroad and the Refugees Agency.
(2) Any meetings of the Citizenship Council may be attended by a representative of the President of the Republic of Bulgaria.
(3) The Citizenship Council shall come up with an opinion on applications and proposals related to Bulgarian citizenship.
(4) The Minister of Justice shall determine the composition of the Citizenship Council at the proposal of the leading officials of the relevant institutions under paragraph 1 and shall issue regulations for its operation.
The Minister of Justice, on the basis of the opinion of the Citizenship Council, shall make a proposal to the President of the Republic of Bulgaria to issue a decree or to refuse to issue a decree on acquisition, reinstatement, release from or deprivation of Bulgarian citizenship as well as revocation of naturalization.
The Minister of Justice shall make a proposal for issuance of a decree under Article 34 within:
1. three months - with regard to applications of persons of Bulgarian origin for acquisition of Bulgarian citizenship through naturalization or reinstatement of Bulgarian citizenship;
2. three months - with regard to proposals for acquisition of Bulgarian citizenship under Article 16 as well as revocation of naturalization or deprivation of Bulgarian citizenship;
3. six months - with regard to applications for release from Bulgarian citizenship or reinstatement of Bulgarian citizenship;
4. twelve months - with regard to applications for acquisition of Bulgarian citizenship through naturalization.
Acquisition of Bulgarian citizenship through naturalization, reinstatement of Bulgarian citizenship, release from and deprivation of citizenship shall be effected by way of a decree of the President of the Republic of Bulgaria. The decree shall enter into force on the day of its issuance.
(1) The Ministry of Justice shall issue certificates to persons regarding changes of citizenship.
(2) Upon the receipt of the decree under Article 36 the Ministry of Justice shall notify:
1. municipal councils or mayor's offices at the places of permanent residence of the person concerned - for registration of changes in the Vital records;
2. The Ministry of the Interior and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs - for issuance and withdrawal of Bulgarian identity documents.
The Ministry of Justice Shall keep:
1. a record-book of applications and proposals for acquisition of Bulgarian citizenship, revocation of naturalization, reinstatement, release from and deprivation of Bulgarian citizenship;
2. a register of persons who have acquired Bulgarian citizenship through naturalization;
3. a register of persons who have lost their Bulgarian citizenship.
4. a register of persons who have had their Bulgarian citizenship reinstated.
(1) At the request of the person concerned, the Ministry of Justice shall issue a certificate of citizenship indicating whether that person is or is not a Bulgarian citizen according to the registers kept at the Ministry.
(2) The certificate under paragraph 1 shall be valid for one year after its issuance.
(1) Information concerning citizenship of persons may be requested by:
1. the person whose citizenship information is stored and upon his/her death - his/her descendants;
2. bodies of the judiciary, ministries and bodies of local self-government as well as the local administration within the limits of their competence and in cases determined by law.
(2) The Minister of Justice shall ensure that documents related to citizenship be preserved and stored.
Institutions, municipal councils and mayor's offices shall provide, upon request, to the Ministry of Justice, any information or opinion with regard to proceedings related to Bulgarian citizenship.
§ 1. If there are differences between parents as well as differences between under-age persons and their parents or guardians in cases under Articles 18, 21, 28 and 29, disputes shall be solved by the Regional Court whose decision shall be final.
§ 2. In the meaning of this Act:
1. "A person of Bulgarian origin" shall be a person whose at least one ascendant is a Bulgarian.
2. "A person permanently residing abroad" shall be a person who lives outside of the Republic of Bulgaria for more than nine months each calendar year unless his/her residence abroad is related to a discharge of a state office by the said person or his/her spouse, or is only related to studies.
3. (New SG No. 41/2001) Any person shall be deemed released from his/her citizenship provided that
1. they have been released upon their request and under the terms and procedure of the law of their native country;
2. they lose their citizenship by virtue of the naturalization pursuant to the law of their native country.
§ 3. With the entry of this Act into force, the Bulgarian citizenship of persons who have been deprived of it by virtue of the Bulgarian Nationality Act of 1940 and the Bulgarian Citizenship Act of 1948 shall be reinstated.
§ 4. Bulgarian nationals who have been released from Bulgarian citizenship not subject to their request and who have emigrated to countries with which Bulgaria has no emigration agreements shall have their Bulgarian citizenship reinstated if, within three years from the entry of this Act into force, file a formal application to the Minister of Justice. When the persons concerned reside abroad, these applications may be filed through diplomatic or consular missions of the Republic of Bulgaria.
§ 5. Applications filed before the entry of this Act into force shall be considered and decided upon under the to-date conditions and in accordance with the to-date procedure.
§ 6. This Act shall supercede the Bulgarian Citizenship Act (promulgated SG, issue 79 of 1969; amend. issue 36 of 1979, issue 64 of 1986 and issue 38 of 1989).
§ 7. (1) The Minister of Justice shall issue Regulations for application of Chapter Five.
(2) Fees to be determined by the Council of Ministers shall be collected for actions and documents issued in connection with Bulgarian citizenship.
§ 8. (1) This Act shall take effect three months after its promulgation in the State Gazette.
(2) In the time-frame under paragraph 1 the Minister of Justice and the Minister of Education and Science shall issue the acts related to application of this Act.
§ 9. The Minister of Justice shall ensure the implementation of this Act.
This Act was adopted by XXXVIII National Assembly on 5 November, 1998 and the official Seal of the National Assembly was affixed hereto.
ACT ON AMENDMENT AND SUPPLEMENT OF THE BULGARIAN CITIZENSHIP ACT
Promulgated SG No. 41/2001
§ 11. Applications filed before the entry of this Act into force shall be considered and decided upon under the existing conditions and in accordance with the existing procedure.
Bulgarian Citizenship and Adoption Directorate
1 Slavianska Street
Tel: +359 2 91408
Facsimile: +359 2 9809223
I. List of the documentation to be submitted for acquiring of Bulgarian citizenship through Naturalisation
1. Application to the Minister of Justice
The application has to be done in Bulgarian language and has to contain:
a) Given name, father's name and family name according to the birth certificate. If there is a change in any of the names, a document has to be submitted to confirm the change - marriage certificate or a court decision;
b) Permanent address of the applicant in Bulgaria or abroad. An applicant from abroad can designate a person living in Bulgaria and his/her address to receive correspondence relating to the application on his/her behalf;
c) The circumstances motivating the applicant to apply for a Bulgarian citizenship.
If the applicant is under 14 years of age or the applicant is not capable of taking decisions for himself/herself, the application is submitted by the parents or the legal guardian. The application is submitted by one of the parents, if the other one is deceased or has no parental rights.
If the applicant is between 14 and 18 years of age or is partially capable of taking decisions for himself/herself, the application is submitted by the applicant himself/herself. The application has to be signed also by the parents or the legal guardian. The application is signed by one of the parents, if the other one is deceased or has no parental rights.
When the parents disagree on the application between themselves or there is a disagreement between parents on one hand and the person between 14 and 18 years of age, the matter has to be decided by the competent Bulgarian District Court. The court decision has to be enclosed to the application.
6. Document by the Ministry of Education and Science of the Republic of Bulgaria showing the proficiency of the applicant in Bulgarian language.
7. Court certificate from the Bulgarian courts of the criminal record of the applicant. Such document has to be submitted also from the competent authority of the country, the citizen of which is the applicant. If the applicant resides permanently in a third country, such document has to be submitted also from the competent authority of the latter country.
8. Identity document for a foreign person permanently resident in Bulgaria issued by the Ministry of Interior of the Republic of Bulgaria. The document has to show that the applicant has been permitted permanent residence in the Republic of Bulgaria not later than 5 years before the date of submission of the application.
10. A document from the employer that the applicant has an employment or a document from the respective local Tax authority for a declared income from the previous year.
11. Medical document issued by the Doctors' Consultative Committee of the local hospital confirming that the person is free of decease according to Art. 36 and 36a of the Bulgarian Public Health Act.
12. Receipt from a bank for payment of the charge of 10.00 Bulgarian leva to the Bulgarian National Bank - Headquarters, The Ministry of Justice of the Republic of Bulgaria, account No. 3000173700, Bank Identification No. 6301301084, Bank sort code 66196611.
Applicants, who apply for Bulgarian citizenship on the ground of Article 13 of the Bulgarian Citizenship Act (applicants who have been, for at least three years, and still are, legally married to a Bulgarian citizen; who have been born in the Republic of Bulgaria, or; who were granted permission for permanent residence before he/she became of age) shall submit all of the above-mentioned documents. The identity document for a foreign person permanently resident in Bulgaria issued by the Ministry of Interior of the Republic of Bulgaria (point 8 above) has to show that the applicant has been permitted permanent residence in the Republic of Bulgaria not later than 3 years before the date of submission of the application. In addition to that applicants who apply for Bulgarian citizenship on the ground of Article 13 of the Bulgarian Citizenship Act (marriage to a Bulgarian citizen) shall submit also a certificate for civil marriage status from the local authority. The marriage has to be concluded not less than three years before submitting the application.
Documents in a foreign language have to be legalised and presented together with an officially certified translation.
The legalisation of a British public document is done by the Legalisation Office of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (Old Admiralty Building, Whitehall, London SW1A 2LG, Tel: 020 7008 1111, Fax: 020 7008 1010, Internet site http://www.fco.gov.uk). Once legalised by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, such documents do not need further legalisation. Other foreign public documents have to be
legalised by the respective diplomatic mission of the country in question before submitting them to the Embassy of the Republic of Bulgaria in London. The officially certified translation in Bulgarian language is also done at the Embassy of the Republic of Bulgaria in London.
The applications can be submitted to the Ministry of Justice of the Republic of Bulgaria in person, via post or by a person, holding a power of attorney to do so. Applications can also be submitted through the Bulgarian diplomatic and consular representations.
Applications, which do not contain all of the enumerated documents, will not be considered.
III. List of the documentation to be submitted for acquiring of Bulgarian citizenship by persons between 14 and 18 years of age, the parents of which are Bulgarian citizens or only the living one
6. Certificate for Bulgarian citizenship of the parent/s from the local authority or the Ministry of Justice.
7. Receipt from a bank for payment of the charge of 10.00 Bulgarian leva to the Bulgarian National Bank - Headquarters, The Ministry of Justice of the Republic of Bulgaria, account No. 3000173700, Bank Identification No. 6301301084, Bank sort code 66196611.
IV. List of the documentation to be submitted for acquiring of Bulgarian citizenship by persons of up to 18 years
of age, one of the parents of whom is a Bulgarian citizen
6. Certificate for Bulgarian citizenship of the parent from the local authority or the Ministry of Justice.
7. Medical document issued by the Doctors' Consultative Committee of the local hospital confirming that the person is free of decease according to Art. 36 and 36a of the Bulgarian Public Health Act.
8. Receipt from a bank for payment of the charge of 10.00 Bulgarian leva to the Bulgarian National Bank - Headquarters, The Ministry of Justice of the Republic of Bulgaria, account No. 3000173700, Bank Identification No. 6301301084, Bank sort code 66196611.
V. List of the documentation to be submitted for restitution of Bulgarian citizenship
6. Court certificate from the Bulgarian courts of the criminal record of the applicant. Such document has to be submitted also from the competent authority of the country, the citizen of which is the applicant. If the applicant resides permanently in a third country, such document has to be submitted also from the competent authority of the latter country.
7. Certificate from the Bulgarian Prosecution Service that the applicant is not prosecuted for a crime of general character, if he lives permanently in Bulgaria.
8. Medical document issued by the Doctors' Consultative Committee of the local hospital confirming that the person is free of decease according to Art. 36 and 36a of the Bulgarian Public Health Act. The competent foreign medical authorities can also issue the medical certificate.
9. A person of non-Bulgarian origin, who has willfully abandoned his/her Bulgarian citizenship or has lost it by virtue of an international treaty, submit a confirmation from the Ministry of Interior that he/she has a permission for permanent residence in Bulgaria for a period of at least 3 years before the application.
10. Receipt from a bank for payment of the charge of 10.00 Bulgarian leva (3.00 Bulgarian leva for a person of Bulgarian origin) to the Bulgarian National Bank - Headquarters, The Ministry of Justice of the Republic of Bulgaria, account No. 3000173700, Bank Identification No. 6301301084, Bank sort code 66196611.
VI. List of the documentation to be submitted for relinquishing of Bulgarian citizenship
1. Application to the Minister of Justice (requisites as in I.1. above).
5. Declaration (model No.1).
6. Document showing the right for permanent residence abroad.
7. Document showing the acquisition of a foreign citizenship or a started procedure for its acquiring.
8. Receipt from a bank for payment of the charge of 20.00 Bulgarian leva to the Bulgarian National Bank - Headquarters, The Ministry of Justice of the Republic of Bulgaria, account No. 3000173700, Bank Identification No. 6301301084, Bank sort code 66196611.
VII. List of the documentation to be submitted for a confirmation that a Person is a Bulgarian citizen
1. Filled in application form to the Minister of Justice
If the applicant is under 14 years of age or the applicant is not capable of taking decisions for himself/herself, the application is submitted by the parents or the legal guardian. The application is submitted by one of the parents, if the other one is deceased or has no
2. Birth certificate or a notarised / legalised copy of it.
3. Document showing the date and way of exiting the country.
4. Certificate of the entry of the Register of the civil status of citizens kept by the local authorities.
5. Receipt from a bank for payment of the charge of 10.00 Bulgarian leva to the Bulgarian National Bank - Headquarters, The Ministry of Justice of the Republic of Bulgaria, account No. 3000173700, Bank Identification No. 6301301084, Bank sort code 66196611.