When minor Bulgarian citizens or children with dual citizenship travel outside the country, a number of documents are required, which must be presented at the border checkpoints. These include a notarised declaration of consent for travel abroad from the child's parent or parents.

I. Documents for the travel of minor children who are Bulgarian citizens only
  1. Identity card or international passport
    Children under 14 years of age may travel with a Bulgarian international passport. Minors aged between 14 and 18 are entitled to leave the country either with an international passport or with an identity card.
  2. Notarised written consent for travel abroad from the parents
    When a child travels without one or both parents, in addition to the child's valid passport or identity card, a notarised declaration of consent for travel abroad from the parent who is not travelling with the child must be presented at the border checkpoint. Where both parents are not accompanying the child, the declaration must be from both of them.

    An important clarification: Where there is no notary in the locality, the declaration may also be certified by a registry judge at the relevant district court, or by the local mayor, deputy mayor or municipal secretary. If the child and the parent are abroad, the declaration may be certified at the Bulgarian consular services at the embassies.

    In cases where the declaration is certified abroad and not by a Bulgarian notary, it is mandatory to affix an „Apostille“ certification for States that are parties to the Hague Convention. Otherwise, it is subject to legalisation in accordance with the provisions of the Regulations on the Legalisation, Certification and Translation of Documents.

    At the border checkpoint:
    The original of the declaration of consent and, usually, an ordinary photocopy of it must be presented to the border officials, who will verify that they correspond and will retain the copy.

Exceptions to the requirement for a declaration of consent:

  • Where the parent who is not accompanying the child is a foreign national.
  • Where the parent who is not accompanying the child has been deprived of parental rights, or the court has granted permission to travel, in which case the court decision and a photocopy of it are presented.
  • Where only one parent is entered on the birth certificate, or where the other parent has died.
  • Where the child lives on a long-term basis with their parents abroad and this is indicated in their Bulgarian identity documents, or the child holds a valid Bulgarian passport bearing a sticker or stamp for extended residence in a foreign country.
II. Documents for the travel of minor children with dual citizenship

When crossing the Bulgarian border, the child's Bulgarian citizenship is established by a Bulgarian international passport, an identity card, or a temporary passport issued by a Bulgarian diplomatic mission.

Where the child also holds a foreign passport, this identity document is likewise presented at the border checkpoint. If both a valid Bulgarian passport or identity card and a foreign passport or identity card are available, a declaration of consent from the non-travelling parent is not required.

Conversely, if the child has dual citizenship but holds only a foreign identity document, they may not leave the country unless the parent who is not accompanying them is a foreign national or has given their consent to the travel.

Should you need assistance in drawing up a declaration of consent for a child's travel abroad, or in resolving a dispute with the other parent in connection with such travel, contact us on telephone 0887550706 or by e-mail: [email protected]