Children’s documents: passport, ID card, parental consent

A child’s passport or ID card is applied for at the consular section of an embassy or consulate general, just as for an adult. The child attends in person — a photo is taken, and from age 12 fingerprints too. The difference is which parent has to come and sign.

passport

5 years

under 18 — 5 years only

ID card

4 years

age 14 to 18

fee

from €27

first passport under 14

Passport: both parents

For a passport for a child under 18, the child and both parents (or guardians) attend. Children aged 14 to 17 sign the application themselves and the parents countersign it. Under 14, only the parents sign.

One parent may be absent if you provide:

• the original of a specific notarised power of attorney from the absent parent — according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs it must state consent to issuing the passport and to the child travelling abroad;
• a court decision depriving the other parent of parental rights;
• a court decision allowing the passport to be issued without the other parent’s consent;
• proof that the other parent has died, or a court ruling that they are missing;
• or if the father is unknown.

ID card: one parent

Missions issue ID cards from age 14. The child applies in person and signs, and it is enough for one parent to attend and sign their consent. The card is valid for 4 years. A first ID card issued at age 14 to 16 carries no Ministry of Interior fee — only the €20 consular fee.

Child born abroad

1. Local birth certificate

   Get a birth certificate or multilingual extract from the local authorities. Depending on the country, an apostille and translation may be needed.

2. Register the birth in Bulgaria

   The birth must be entered in the Bulgarian population register — the procedure is in the guide on registering a birth abroad. The child gets a personal number (EGN) and a Bulgarian birth certificate.

3. Passport or ID card

   With the Bulgarian birth certificate showing the EGN you apply at the mission. Missions ask for exactly this document.

Collection

A child’s document is collected by a parent, guardian or custodian, or exceptionally by a person named in the application or with a specific notarised power of attorney. The child’s previous document is handed back.