Hi guys

I’m trying to apply for Bulgarian citizenship through my grandfather. My grandfather emigrated as a refugee to Australia from Germany after WW2. He was born in Pirot (now Serbia), but my verbal and written (unofficially by my grandmother) family history always said we were Bulgarian. Additionally… my surname is Vazov, which I recently discovered is a well-known name in Bulgaria! And hence I am exploring my roots.

We don’t have much official documentation on him (I’ve spent months searching for things) except for a Bulgarian passport from WW2, and a German identification document saying citizenship = Bulgarian.

If it’s of interest – here are the passport and ID: https://imgur.com/a/cm0Dr3K

Initially, from speaking to an immigration lawyer, I was under the impression that I needed a document that essentially said “ETHNICITY = BULGARIAN”. Neither of the documents I have say this – they only say CITIZENSHIP = Bulgarian. But I recently read an article sent to me by a friend in Serbia (Pirot) that said this (Google Translate of a Serbian news article):

“Vladimir Zaharijev, … the president of the Bosilegrad municipality, … [says] there are three ways to obtain this document [a Bulgarian passport].

That is, [1] that the grandmother, grandfather or a relative were Bulgarians, [2] that the family has a document from the Second World War that they declared themselves as Bulgarians (regardless of what they are) and [3] from two years ago that they declare themselves in official documents, under the item “nationality” like Bulgarians.”

Original article: https://www.kurir.rs/crna-hronika/3419569/u-pirotu-prodavali-bugarske-pasose-na-kilo-pohapsena-grupa-koja-je-falsifikovala

My question is – can someone please help me find the actual law that states this? I have been unable to find it through Googling (probably because I need to search in Bulgarian, not English…). I hope that this makes my case a lot easier, but I just want to confirm it with actual legislation / case law rather than a Serbian news article about faking Bulgarian citizenship documentation!

Oh, also I’m not 100% sure that the Bulgarian passport / German ID count as “a document from WW2 where they declared themselves as Bulgarian” – but it seems to me like they should count.

Thanks a lot for your help.

8 comments

  2. Shoot your shot, the more the merrier. As far as I understand the passport was issued during the bulgarian occupation of Pirot. Nevertheless it does not mean it’s forgery – during occupation is standart practice to issue new documents, and Pirot is a city with big bulgarian population.

  4. I would look into finding a Bulgarian law firm that may be able to help you with this. It may cost a little bit of money but a BG (EU) passport will be worth it. Like others on here are saying it seems like you have a very strong case. And as far as your last name is concerned… Look up the poet Ivan Vazov. All Bulgarians know him. There is a monument to him in the town I’m from

  7. Just fyi Ivan Vazov Иван Вазов is considered the father of Bulgarian fiction. His novel “Under the yoke” Под игото is the most famous Bulgarian novel. You probably have it in Australian libraries too.
    His brother General Vladimir Vazov Владимир Вазов is probably the most famous Bulgarian general. He defeated the British army in the battle of Doiran.

    You’re probably not related, but it’s worth researching. They had other brothers as well.

  8. Hi. I think you have a pretty strong case to apply for a citizenship. As per the law you should be able to apply under Article 15 para 2 of the Law for Bulgarian Citizenship. The text states as follows:

    В производството за придобиване на българско гражданство по натурализация по ал. 1, т. 1 с молбата се представят официални документи, издадени от български или чуждестранни органи, с които молителят удостоверява, че има родствена връзка с поне едно лице – негов възходящ до трета степен включително, което е от български произход. Документите трябва да съдържат информация за имената на възходящия и родствената му връзка с молителя.

    (Not a literal translation!!!): In relation to the processing of applications for Naturalisation under Line 1 point 1. Application must be provided with official document given by Bulgarian or foreign body, with which the applicant can confirm lineage/descent to at least one person in his/her ascending lineage upto third generation (included), who is of Bulgarian descent. The documents must also include names and details of the person along with information of descent.

    So based on the above, I think you need to obtain your parents and your birth certificates to prove your lineage and visit your nearest BG embassy.

    I hope this helps. Good Luck!!!

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