The Property Register stores extremely important information regarding real estate in Bulgaria. How are entries and deletions executed? What types of inquiries are possible and by what means may they be conducted?

This article provides answers to these important questions. If you need additional information or consultation, do not hesitate to contact us.

What is the Property Register?

The Property Register is a system that contains information about real estate on the territory of Bulgaria. It consists of property accounts and is maintained and stored by the Registry Agency. The Property Register is public. Fees are charged for the use of the services provided by the register, according to a tariff for state fees approved by the Council of Ministers.

The Property Register includes acts recognizing, modifying, transferring, or terminating property rights/real rights on real estate. The register also contains data on seizures and mortgages on real estate. The system allows tracking the history of entries and acts.

This is done through inquiries about the ownership of real estate, the owner, and real rights. Inquiries can be made on-site or via the register's website. The Cadastre and the Property Register are linked based on the identifiers of real estate and are accessible online.

If you need assistance with examining the legal status of real estate and making any inquiries, do not hesitate to contact us.

Learn more about our legal services in the field of real estate.

Entries in the Property Register

The entry procedure begins with the submission of an application to the judge at the Registry Office by location. The application can also be submitted by a representative of the interested party (their lawyer), most often performed by a notary.

The act is recorded immediately, within the same working day. Only acts with notarized signatures or performed in a notarial manner are subject to entry.

The following information exists in the Property Register:

1. acts establishing, transferring, recognizing, or altering rights (e.g., building rights), notarial deeds, rental agreements, inheritance transfer agreements, etc.
2. lawsuits related to real estate and court decisions
3. mortgages, seizures, and other securities
4. other acts required by law to be entered

Deletions and Announcements

The Property Register also performs deletions and announcements of acts related to real estate, as well as mortgages.

Deletions terminate the effect of an already made entry. This affects all encumbrances related to a property - mortgages, foreclosures, and others.

With mortgages, the order of entry is extremely important, as the rule "First in time, first in right" applies. This means that creditors are satisfied from the debtor's assets in the order of mortgage entries.

Inquiries

Inquiries can be made in the Property Register verbally, in writing (certificates and copies), and online.

Verbal Inquiries

Verbal inquiries are provided based on an oral or written request from any person who wishes to make one. This is done in their presence, by providing the exact data of the owner's full name and personal ID number. The person must also present a receipt for the state fee paid.

Written Inquiries

Written inquiries can result in the issuance of certificates or copies of the relevant document.

Certificates

The Property Register issues certificates for entries, notes, or deletions for:

• Person - upon request with the personal ID number, full name, and address of the person/persons or BULSTAT/ UIC of the legal entity
• Property - upon request with the person's data, full description of the real estate, a copy of the title deed, and a fee receipt.
• For person/property for a specific period - reflecting only entries, notes, and deletions for a specific period.

Copies

• Certified - issued and received on-site at the respective Registry Office by location. Certified copies are issued only to certain persons - legal representatives, their lawyers, or other persons authorized with a notarized power of attorney.
• Uncertified - electronically accessible upon registration and electronic signature. A fee of 1 BGN is charged for an unattended inquiry in the information system.

Online Inquiries

Access to the Property Register's electronic services and inquiries requires registration. The client receives a username, password, and unique client number.

Payments are made through ePay, with each client having their own wallet loaded with a certain amount for prepayment of services. Unattended inquiries in the information system are charged 1 BGN.

Searches in the "Ownership and Owners" section of the Property Register can be performed by:

1. property account
2. individual (personal ID number, names)
3. legal entity
4. document
5. property

The system also offers the possibility to check the authenticity of a burden certificate. This is done through a unique 12-character alphanumeric code placed on each certificate.

The Unified Portal for Electronic Administrative Services also offers other inquiries such as:

• State Fee Calculator, which automatically calculates fees for entries, deletions, and notes according to the Registry Agency's tariff;
• Application Status Check - upon submitting an application for a certificate, copy, or entry, an entry number is generated, allowing the application status to be checked.
• Registry Office - by entering the name of a settlement for a specific real estate, the inquiry provides information on which Registry Office it belongs to;
• Electronic Inquiries for Registered Users - inquiries about documents, property, property account, registry office, or person from the property register.

For consultation, comprehensive legal services, and assistance with any legal issues related to real estate, contact us.

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