A Bulgarian citizenship application requires an autobiography (in Bulgarian “автобиография”, avtobiografiya) describing the applicant’s life and link with Bulgaria. It includes personal details, information on the parents and the emigrant ancestor, family status, education, working life and the reason for applying. The text is prepared in Bulgarian, signed and must be fully consistent with the other documents.
The autobiography is not like a CV for a job application. Its purpose is to describe your family’s link with Bulgaria clearly and accurately. In this article we share the sections of the autobiography, a sample text and common mistakes.
Why does the autobiography matter?
When reviewing your file, citizenship experts compare your autobiography with the other documents. The names, dates and places in the autobiography must match the civil registry record, the migrant certificate and the Bulgarian birth records. Contradictions lead to extra review or requests for documents. Questions about your autobiography may also come up at the interview; see questions asked at the Bulgarian citizenship interview.
Which sections should the autobiography have?
| Section | Content |
|---|---|
| Personal details | Full name (in Turkish and as spelled in Bulgarian records), date and place of birth, citizenship |
| Mother and father | Full names, dates and places of birth, citizenships |
| Emigrant ancestor | Who they were, where in Bulgaria they were born and lived, when they emigrated |
| Family status | Marital status, spouse and children |
| Education | Schools and graduation years |
| Working life | Workplaces and positions, briefly |
| Link with Bulgaria | Family history, traditions, language, relatives, visits |
| Reason for applying | Why you want to become a Bulgarian citizen |
| Date and signature | At the end of the text |
Sample autobiography (draft)
The example below only shows the structure. After filling it in with your own information, it must be translated into Bulgarian.
AUTOBIOGRAPHY
I, Ahmet Yılmaz (in Bulgarian records: Ахмед Йълмаз), was born on 12.03.1985 in Bursa. I am a citizen of the Republic of Türkiye.
My father, Hasan Yılmaz, was born in 1958 in Mestanlı (today Momchilgrad), Kardzhali province. My mother, Ayşe Yılmaz, was born in 1960 in Bursa. My grandfather, Hüseyin Yılmaz, was born in 1932 in Mestanlı, emigrated to Türkiye with his family in 1969 and settled in Bursa.
In 2010 I married Elif Yılmaz. We live in Bursa with our son Can, born in 2012, and our daughter Zeynep, born in 2015.
I completed my primary and secondary education in Bursa. In 2007 I graduated from the Department of Economics at Uludağ University. Since 2008 I have worked as an accounting specialist at a private company.
Our family has never forgotten its past in Bulgaria. The village life, holidays and traditions my grandfather told us about are still kept alive at home. We visit our relatives in Mestanlı.
I am applying for Bulgarian citizenship to have my Bulgarian origin officially recognised and to allow my children to continue this bond.
Date: …./…./…….. Signature: ………………
The names and details in the example are fictional. In your own autobiography, write only information that can be verified with documents.
Points to watch when writing
- Exactly the same information as the documents: names, dates and places must be the same as in the civil registry record and migrant certificate.
- Both spellings of names: if the spellings in Turkish and Bulgarian records differ, state both. Details: name equivalence certificate.
- Village names: write the old Turkish name and today’s name together. If you don’t know today’s name, use the ancestral village finder.
- Short and simple: one or two pages are enough. Avoid exaggeration.
- Accuracy: do not write unverifiable or exaggerated claims. Write information you can explain if asked at the interview.
- Signature: don’t forget to sign and date the text.
Bulgarian translation
The autobiography is submitted in Bulgarian. Having the text translated by a sworn translator ensures that terms and names are rendered correctly. With our sworn translation service we translate your autobiography consistently with your other documents. For the current template or additional requirements, we follow the format required by the institution where you apply.
Frequently asked questions
Should the autobiography be handwritten?
A text typed on a computer and signed is usually accepted. If the institution where you apply has a specific requirement, it is followed.
Do children also need an autobiography?
Since minors are usually processed through a parent, a separate autobiography may not be required. Each adult applicant prepares their own.
Can a mistake in the autobiography lead to refusal?
A small typo is usually not a problem; but a name, date or emigration detail that contradicts other documents requires extra review. Have the text checked before applying.
Let’s prepare your autobiography together
When preparing your whole application file, we also write your autobiography consistently with your documents. For other documents, see our article on documents required for Bulgarian citizenship, and for the whole process our Bulgarian citizenship page.
