Do I Need a Notary for Company Registration?
Do I Need to Visit a Notary?
Short answer: Yes, but for only one thing — the specimen (sample of the manager's signature) requires mandatory notarial certification. All other documents can be signed with a QES (Qualified Electronic Signature) for electronic filing.
| Document | Notary? | QES? |
|---|---|---|
| Manager's specimen | Yes, mandatory | No |
| Articles of Association / Articles of Partnership | No (for e-filing) | Yes |
| Declarations (Art. 13, Art. 141, Art. 142) | No (for e-filing) | Yes |
| Resolution / Minutes | No (for e-filing) | Yes |
| Application A4 | No (for e-filing) | Yes |
The Specimen — the Only Mandatory Visit
The specimen is a sample of the manager's signature that is submitted to the Trade Register (Търговски регистър). According to Art. 141(3) of the Commerce Act, the manager's signature must be notarially certified.
This requirement applies even for electronic filing — you cannot replace notarial certification with a QES for the specimen.
How the Procedure Works
- Visit any notary in the country (it does not have to be in the district of the registered office)
- Bring the identity document of the manager
- The notary certifies the signature and places a stamp
- You receive the certified original — scan it and attach it to the electronic application
For OOD with Multiple Managers
If an OOD has more than one manager, each manager must have a separate notarially certified specimen. The cost is multiplied by the number of managers.
Notary Fees
| Service | Fee |
|---|---|
| Signature certification (specimen) | ~3 EUR |
| Signature certification (OOD with 2 managers) | ~3 EUR × 2 |
Notary fees for signature certification are set by the Notary Fees Tariff and are relatively low.
What Is Signed Only with a QES
For electronic filing, the following documents do not require notarial certification — they are signed with a QES:
- Articles of Association (EOOD) / Articles of Partnership (OOD)
- Resolution of the Sole Owner / Minutes of the Founding Meeting
- Declaration under Art. 13(4) of the Commercial Register Act
- Declaration under Art. 141(8) and (9) of the Commerce Act
- Declaration under Art. 142 of the Commerce Act
- Application A4 with the Trade Register
Frequently asked questions
Not entirely. The specimen (manager's signature sample) requires mandatory notarization, even with electronic filing.
The notary fee for signature certification is about 3 EUR. For an OOD with multiple managers, the cost is multiplied.
Not with electronic filing — the articles, declarations, and application are signed with a QES. A notary is only needed for the specimen.
Yes, you can visit any notary in the country. The notary does not need to be in the district of the company's registered office.
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