Document Legalisation and Apostille in Varna

We handle the certifications before the authorities and the official translation by sworn translators, so your documents are valid wherever you need them – abroad or here in Bulgaria.

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Maxima Life has handled the legalisation and apostille of documents in Varna since 2004. The procedure trips most people up: a diploma goes through NACID, a birth certificate through the Regional Administration, a criminal record certificate through the Ministry of Justice. One missing stamp sends the whole file back to the start. So we take the case off your hands and tell you up front exactly what is needed, before you set foot in any office.

What is an apostille and what is legalisation?

An apostille is the simplified certification provided for under the 1961 Hague Convention. Countries that are party to it accept the document on the strength of that single stamp, with no further certification by an embassy. That covers most of Europe and dozens of countries beyond it.

Full (consular) legalisation applies to countries that are not party to the Convention. There, the document passes through the relevant ministries and the embassy of the receiving country – more steps, and usually a longer wait.

Documents we legalise

How the process works

For Bulgarian documents to be used abroad, the usual steps are:

  1. Certification by the competent authority. Different documents are certified by different bodies – educational ones through NACID under the Ministry of Education and Science, court documents and the criminal record certificate through the Ministry of Justice, civil-status certificates through the Regional Administration, and so on.
  2. The apostille (or full legalisation for countries outside the Hague Convention).
  3. An official translation by a sworn translator into the language of the receiving country.
  4. Certification of the translator's signature at the Consular Department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, where this is required.

For foreign documents to be used in Bulgaria, the order is reversed: the document is first apostilled in the country that issued it, and we then carry out the official translation and certification.

Exactly which steps apply depends on the document and the country, so we advise you free of charge before we begin, and we deal with the authorities on your behalf.

Why Maxima Life

  • In Varna since 2004 – over 20 years of legalisation and translation.
  • We work with sworn translators in more than 30 languages.
  • You bring the document; we take care of the certifications, the apostille and the translation.
  • Our office is in the centre of Varna, 500 m from the Cathedral.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between an apostille and legalisation?

An apostille is the simplified certification under the Hague Convention, and it is sufficient for countries that are party to it. When the country is not a party, full (consular) legalisation is carried out through the ministries and the embassy.

Do you need the original document?

For an apostille and for legalisation you usually need the original or a notarised copy. The requirement depends on the document, so we advise you free of charge before we start.

How long does it take?

The turnaround depends on the type of document and the institution involved. We offer both standard and express service – get in touch for an exact timeframe and a quote.

Can I visit just once?

In most cases, yes. You bring the document, we take care of the certifications, the apostille and the translation, and we hand you back the completed file.

Need legalisation or an apostille?

Tell us about the document and the country where you'll use it, and we'll come back with a timeframe and a price.

Request a free quote

or give us a call: 052 633 632 · 0879 633 632