Certificate of heirs in Bulgaria: documents, cost, online
How to get a certificate of heirs in Bulgaria: documents, fees by municipality, steps online and in person, validity and the 6-month tax declaration.
Have you lost a loved one and now have to deal with the inheritance paperwork? One of the first steps is to obtain a certificate of heirs (удостоверение за наследници). In this guide we will show you how to do it quickly and without unnecessary headaches.
The certificate covers heirs by law (those who inherit when there is no will). If the deceased left a will, the procedure is different and takes place before a notary or a court.
❓How long is a certificate of heirs valid?
Source: Ordinance No. РД-02-20-6
What is a certificate of heirs?
A certificate of heirs is an official document issued by the municipality (община). It contains a list of all the legal heirs of a deceased person. The document is issued on the basis of the data in the civil registration records.
It is one of the most important documents when settling inheritance matters, because it proves who is entitled to receive a share of the estate.
When will you need it?
A certificate of heirs is required in many situations connected with an inheritance. Here are the most common cases:
When the certificate is required
Access to the deceased person's bank accounts
Banks always require it before releasing funds
Transferring property
At the notary, to register the inheritance
Receiving a pension or insurance
To pay out inheritance sums
Filing an inheritance declaration with the National Revenue Agency (НАП)
Mandatory within 6 months
Court cases about an inheritance
In disputes between the heirs
When transferring property you will also need to check the property register, to verify the ownership of the inherited property.
Where is the certificate issued?
Many people go to the wrong municipality. Remember: what matters is the deceased person's last permanent address.
Important: the right municipality
The certificate is issued by the municipality of the deceased person's last permanent address, not by:
- The municipality where you live
- The municipality where the death occurred
- The municipality where the property is located
If the deceased was registered in Sofia but died in Burgas, you go to Sofia.
Ask Pravko and get an answer with citations from the law.
Documents you need
Before you go to the municipality (or apply online), prepare the following documents:
Documents for issuing the certificate
Application on the standard form*
Available at the municipality or downloadable from its website
Extract from the death record (препис-извлечение от акта за смърт)*
Issued by the municipality where the person died
The applicant's ID card*
The original, for reference
Power of attorney
If you apply through a representative
Court certificate (съдебно удостоверение)
Only if you are a creditor of the deceased
* Mandatory documents
If you apply through a representative, you will need a notarised power of attorney. Make sure the power of attorney expressly mentions the right to obtain a certificate of heirs.
Download the application (standard form)
Download and fill in the application in advance to save time at the municipality. The official form is the Request for issuing a certificate of heirs (Annex No. 2 to Ordinance No. РД-02-20-6). You will find it in the unified government service, together with the option to apply for the service entirely online:
Useful forms
Request for a certificate of heirs (Annex No. 2)
The official form on egov.bg: download the PDF or apply for the service online
Declaration under Art. 32 of the ЗМДТ (inheritance tax)
Submitted to the НАП within 6 months of receiving the certificate
Application to renounce an inheritance
Submitted to the district court (районен съд), only if the estate is burdened with debts
Note: do not confuse Annex No. 2 (the request itself, which you submit) with Annex No. 3, which is the finished certificate issued by the municipality.
How to get the certificate: step by step
The process is relatively simple. Here is what you need to do:
Issuing process
Identify the right municipality
The municipality of the deceased person's last permanent address, NOT your own municipality
Gather the documents
Extract from the death record, application and ID card
Submit the application
In person at the municipality, through an authorised representative or online through egov.bg
Pay the fee
Ordinary: BGN 4 to 5, fast: BGN 7 to 8, express: BGN 10 to 15
Receive the certificate
Depending on the type of service: 24 hours to 7 days
Applying online
You do not have to go to the municipality in person. In 2026 you have several options for applying online:
Online options
With a QES (КЕП) or PIK (ПИК), directly from the government portal
The municipality's website
Many municipalities have their own e-services system
Through an intermediary
Miritel.bg and others offer the service for an additional fee
3000+
administrations across the country (265 municipalities, districts and mayoralties) issue this document
Fees and deadlines
Fees vary slightly between municipalities, but they are usually within the following ranges:
Issuing fees
Ordinary service (up to 7 days)
BGN 4 to 5
Fast service (up to 3 days)
BGN 7 to 8
Express service (24 hours)
BGN 10 to 15
The prices are indicative and may vary between municipalities. Check the current fees on the website of the municipality concerned.
| Type of service | Sofia | Average municipality |
|---|---|---|
| Ordinary (up to 7 days) | BGN 10 | BGN 4 to 5 |
| Fast (up to 3 days) | BGN 15 | BGN 7 to 8 |
| Express (24 hours) | BGN 20 | BGN 10 to 15 |
Sofia figures from pravatami.bg (updated February 2026)
For up-to-date information on notary fees, which you may need when transferring inherited property, see our calculator.
Possible delay
If the deceased had address registrations in different municipalities during their life, information may have to be exchanged between them. This can add a few days to the deadline.
Good news: since 2020, when one of the deceased heirs had their last permanent address in another municipality, the official collects this data ex officio (on their own initiative). You no longer have to obtain a separate certificate for the deceased heir first.
How long the certificate is valid
People often ask how long the certificate is valid. The answer is: it depends.
Important about validity
A certificate of heirs has no fixed period of validity. It stays valid for as long as the data in it is up to date.
The document becomes invalid only if a change occurs:
- One of the heirs dies
- An heir's marital status changes
- An heir renounces the inheritance
Note: Banks often require a certificate issued within the last 6 months. This is their internal requirement, not a legal one.
What does the certificate contain?
A certificate of heirs contains detailed information about the deceased and all their legal heirs:
Contents of the document
Full name (three names) and personal ID number (ЕГН) of the deceased
Date of death
A list of all heirs
With their full names, ЕГН and relationship to the deceased
Deceased heirs and their own heirs
Shown with sub-numbers (e.g. 2.1, 2.2)
The municipality's stamp and the date of issue
For example: if Ivan Petrov has died and had a wife (Maria), two sons (Georgi and Stefan), and Stefan has also died and has two children (Ana and Petar), the certificate will list the heirs like this:
- Maria Petrova (spouse)
- Georgi Petrov (son)
- Stefan Petrov (deceased)
- Ana Stefanova (granddaughter)
- Petar Stefanov (grandson)
Ordinance No. РД-02-20-6 of 24 April 2012
Art. 9 and Art. 10
Ordinance on the issuance of certificates based on the population register
Official Bulgarian text
„За удостоверяване на наследниците по закон на починало лице се издава Удостоверение за наследници по образец съгласно приложение № 3. Искането за издаване се подава по образец съгласно приложение № 2 (чл. 11, ал. 1).“
Problems and challenging the certificate
Sometimes the administration makes mistakes in a certificate of heirs. The most common problems are wrongly entered heirs (for example a wrong personal ID number or wrong names) or omitted heirs who do not appear in the municipality's registers.
If you find a mistake, the first step is to submit a request for correction to the municipality that issued the document. Attach evidence: a birth certificate, a civil marriage certificate or another document that confirms the family relationship.
If the municipality refuses to correct the certificate, you can appeal the refusal through the administrative procedure before the relevant administrative court within 14 days of receiving the refusal.
If an heir has been left out
If you are an heir and you are not listed in the certificate, do not worry. Lodge a complaint with the municipality with documents proving your family relationship. If that does not help, turn to a lawyer to challenge it in court.
Common mistakes
Avoid these common mistakes to save time and nerves:
Mistakes to avoid
1. The wrong municipality: You go to the municipality of your address instead of the deceased person's permanent address.
2. A missing death record: You forget to take the extract from the death record.
3. Incomplete information: You do not know the names and personal ID numbers of all the heirs.
4. A missed tax deadline: You do not file the inheritance declaration with the НАП within the 6-month period.
Frequently asked questions
How long is a certificate of heirs valid?
The certificate has no fixed period of validity. It stays valid for as long as the data in it is up to date. Banks, however, may require a document issued within the last 6 months.
Can I get a certificate of heirs from another municipality?
No, the certificate is issued only by the municipality of the deceased person's last permanent address. If you live far away, you can submit the application online through egov.bg or through an authorised person.
Can a certificate of heirs be issued online?
Yes, through the egov.bg portal with a QES (КЕП) or PIK (ПИК), or through the website of the municipality concerned, if it offers electronic services.
How much does a certificate of heirs cost?
The price ranges from BGN 4 to 20 depending on the municipality and the speed of the service. In Sofia: BGN 10 for ordinary, BGN 15 for fast and BGN 20 for express.
Who are the heirs by law?
Heirs by law are children, the spouse, parents, brothers and sisters, in the order set out in the Inheritance Act (Закон за наследството, ЗН), Art. 5 to 12. Each class of heirs excludes the next.
Do all the heirs have to be present when it is issued?
No, the application can be submitted by any one of the heirs. The others do not need to be present or to give their consent to its issue.
Ask Pravko and get an answer with citations from the law.
Do not forget: the inheritance declaration
Once you have the certificate of heirs, you have 6 months to file an inheritance declaration with the НАП. This is mandatory by law.
6 months
from the date of death
After this period interest is charged on the inheritance tax due. Do not miss it!
Local Taxes and Fees Act (ЗМДТ)
Art. 32(1)
The deadline for filing an inheritance declaration
Official Bulgarian text
„Данъкът се определя и се съобщава на наследниците въз основа на декларация, която се подава в шестмесечен срок от откриване на наследството.“
The declaration is submitted to the National Revenue Agency (НАП) for the deceased person's last permanent address. It can also be filed online through portal.nap.bg with a QES (КЕП) or PIK (ПИК).
⚠️ Important
Pravko provides legal information, but it does not replace advice from a lawyer. For important legal matters, consult a licensed lawyer.
