A detailed guide on translation and legalization procedures for various documents.

• What is Legalization?
  – Legalization is the process of certifying a document so it can be officially recognized in another country. This usually involves obtaining an apostille (or authentication). After legalization, the document must be translated, and the translation must be certified to ensure its validity. Once these steps are completed, the document can be used abroad for official purposes.
• What is an Apostille, and Where to obtain It?
  – An apostille is an official certification that verifies the authenticity of a document for use in countries that are part of the Hague Convention. It is usually issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in the document’s country of origin.
  If the destination country is not part of the Hague Convention, the document requires double authentication: first by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in the issuing country, and then by the Embassy or Consulate of the receiving country.
  Regarding the apostille procedure in Japan, visit the site of Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan.
• How to submit documents for translation?
  – Please attach the documents (including the apostille if applicable) and send them to: translations.ivanov@gmail.com
• Processing time and common challenges.
  – The apostille procedure usually takes about one week (from the time of postal submission to receipt). The translation processing time is described in the Delivery Time section. For certification of the translation, it is advisable to contact the Bulgarian Embassy a few days in advance (the procedure may be arranged by post).
• Cost of legalization.
  – The apostille procedure in Japan is free of charge (applicants must cover postal fees). Translation pricing is detailed in the Pricing & Fees section. The certification of translation costs approximately 2,475 yen per document, but it is recommended to confirm directly with the Bulgarian Embassy.
  If you are unable to submit the documents yourself to the relevant authorities in the destination country, you may need to create and notarize a Power of Attorney, which involves additional costs.
• Too busy or still unsure about the procedures?
  – We can assist and handle the entire process for you — from authentication and translation to final delivery and submission to the relevant authority — so you can save time, avoid mistakes, and focus on what matters most. Check our Package Services for details on the necessary documents and fees.

1. Civil Registry Documents

(For marriage, birth, and death certificates, as well as divorce certificates.)

• Who needs this? People registering life events in Bulgaria or Japan.
• Steps:
  1. Obtain from the city hall the original certificate (in Japanese ‘受理証明書‘).
  2. Apply for an apostille.
  3. Send the document for translation.
  4. Certification process at the Bulgarian Embassy.
  5. Submission to the relevant authorities (city hall) in Bulgaria.
     *If a third party (such as relatives, etc.) registers the event, a notarized Power of Attorney will be required.

2. Academic Documents

(For university applications and related procedures.)

• Who needs this? Students applying to universities abroad.
• Steps:
  1. Gather required documents (diplomas, transcripts, recommendation letters, etc.) required by the institution abroad.
  2. Apply for an apostille.
  3. Send the documents for translation.
  4. Certification process at the Bulgarian Embassy.
  5. Submission to the academic institution.
• Additional Notes: Confirm with the institution abroad whether your higher education needs to be recognized by a local government office. (In the case of Bulgaria, the certified translation mentioned above should be submitted to the National Center for Information and Documentation, which will issue a certificate confirming that your education abroad is recognized by the Bulgarian authorities.)

3. Corporate & Business Documents

(For company registration, tax documents, and contracts.)

• Who needs this? Businesses expanding internationally.
• Steps:
  1. Gather required documents (registration, tax certificates, etc.).
  2. Confirm if an apostille is required.
  3. Send the documents for translation.
  4. Confirm if a translation certification is required.
  5. Submission to relevant authorities.
• Additional Notes: The Power of Attorney and Declarations must be notarized by the Embassy.

4. Legal Documents

(For contracts, power of attorney, and court documents.)

• Who needs this? Individuals dealing with legal matters abroad.
• Steps:
  1. Obtain the legal document.
  2. Apply for an apostille.
  3. Send the documents for translation.
  4. Certification at the Bulgarian Embassy.
• Additional Notes: The Power of Attorney and Declarations must be notarized by the Embassy.

5. Visa & Immigration Documents

(For visa applications, residency, and work permits.)

• Who needs this? People applying for a Bulgarian visa.
• Steps:
  1. Obtain required documents (marriage certificate, police clearance, medical certificate, etc.).
  2. Apostille is required only for Marriage Certificates and Police Clearance.
  3. Translation (only if required).
  4. Additional legalization (the translation of the marriage certificate must be certified by the Embassy).

6. Other Documents

(For any document not covered above, such as medical certificates, driver’s licenses, etc.)

• Steps:
  1. Contact us to confirm the requirements.
  2. Follow the standard translation and legalization process.