Bulgaria Process Server

Overview

Process Server in Bulgaria: How Service of Process Works

Bulgaria acceded to the Hague Service Convention effective 2000 and has objected to Article 8 and Article 10 in their entirety, so postal service and private agent service are not valid. Requests are forwarded to the Ministry of Justice in Sofia, Bulgaria's Central Authority, and executed formally by the courts, with district courts designated to complete the Article 6 certificate. Service is free of charge and typically completes within two to three months. A Bulgarian translation is required for all documents to be served.

Who serves process

Who Can Serve Legal Documents in Bulgaria

Bulgaria is a civil-law country, and formal service of documents from abroad is carried out by the courts. The Central Authority is the Ministry of Justice in Sofia.

Because Bulgaria has objected to all Article 10 methods, service in Sofia or Eastern & Black Sea Bulgaria has to go through the Central Authority. Documents must be in Bulgarian or translated into Bulgarian, and no charges are made for service.

The documents most often bound for Sofia and the rest of Bulgaria are a statement of claim with a summons to appear, plus orders, subpoenas and other court notices. We serve in Sofia, across Southwestern Bulgaria and out to Eastern & Black Sea Bulgaria.

Treaties

Hague Service Convention and Bulgaria

Bulgaria is a party to the Hague Service Convention, so documents can be sent to its Central Authority, which arranges service and returns a Certificate of Service. Bulgaria has made a declaration on Article 10, which limits service by post or by private agents, so we confirm which methods are open before choosing one.

Bulgaria is also a party to the Hague Evidence Convention, so witness testimony and documents can be requested with a Letter of Request.