Living In Bulgaria and Getting Married

Bulgaria’s beautiful cities, incredible beaches and breathtaking mountains are doing more than increasing tourism to this region.  They are also calling to retirees and expats, enticing many to make this country their full-time home.  Considering the influx of expats to this country, it’s not surprising that questions about everyday living in Bulgaria crop up a lot.  From where to shop to how to get married, the important questions are those that matter to many would be expats.

If falling in love and wanting to get married in Bulgaria is a possibility for you, you’re going to find both the British and Bulgarian governments can help.  Living in Bulgaria and getting married will require some very specific documentation, depending on the circumstances.  In this article we’ll explore what you’ll need if you choose to marry another British citizen or even if you fall in love with a dashing Bulgarian and see the future in his or her eyes!

The British Embassy can help its citizens through the process of getting married in Bulgaria.  Authorities do, however, strongly urge Brits to also check with Bulgarian officials as well.  The rules of the road are subject to change, so double-checking with both authorities is strongly advised.

In general, British citizens living in Bulgaria will need to do a few things to get married in Bulgaria.  They include getting: -

A Notice of Marriage – This can be done at the British Embassy, but must be filed at least three weeks prior to the wedding date.  This serves as official notification of the impending nuptials and satisfies British regulations.

A Statutory Declaration – This is nothing more than a statement that you are not presently married.  If you have been married before, you will need to present the Decree Absolute or Death Certificate from your former spouse to obtain this.

A Certificate of No Impediment – The British authorities will need to see this certificate from your local Registrar if you did give a Notice of Marriage in the UK prior to arriving in Bulgaria.  If you did not, you will have to file a Notice of Marriage at the British Embassy in Bulgaria.  This can only be done after you live in Bulgaria for 21 days.

Certificate of Law – This is a statement of the validity of marriage in English law.

Bulgarian health certificate – This can be obtained from any clinic in Bulgaria by asking for a general marriage check-up.  It involves a simple blood test.

British citizens who wish to be married under Bulgarian law will find their marriages are typically recognised by British authorities.  It is smart to check with the local embassy to make sure that all procedures have been followed, however.  This ensures the legality of the marriage is recognised by both British and Bulgarian law.

If you move to Bulgaria and find yourself bitten by the love bug, it is feasible to get married in this country and have the ceremony recognised back in the UK.  Just take the time to follow the rules carefully and do check with the British Embassy for advice.