Bulgaria Church Records

Church records are primarily from the Bulgarian Orthodox and Roman Catholic religions. Only a few go back to the 18th century while most begin in the 19th century. They contain names of the principal and parents, residence, dates and places of birth and baptism, marriage, death and burial; as well as ages in entries for marriage and death. Baptisms include names of the godparents. Deaths sometimes include the cause of death. Entries sometimes identify residence for those not of the parish. A few parish registers have been gathered into state archives or the national museum. Many parish registers are located in the parish churches. Some pre-1872 registers are in Greece because during this period the Bulgarian Orthodox Church was subordinate to the Patriarchate in Greece.

The Family History Library does not have church records from Bulgaria.

Administratively, Bulgaria is divided into twenty six districts. Each has an archive where civil registration and some church records are preserved. Most church records are still located at the churches and may also be in monasteries. There are no vital records in the National Historical Archive in Sofia.