No valid ID for runoff? Voting certificates available

On 31 October and 1 November 2026, Bulgarian Identity Documents offices will assist citizens without a valid identity card who need a voting certificate for the repeat presidential and vice-presidential election on 1 November. The Ministry of Interior (MoI) announced the arrangements. The information also applies to residents of Veliko Tarnovo Province.

When can certificates be obtained?

According to the Interior Ministry, certificates will be issued on 31 October from 08:30 to 17:00, and on election day, 1 November from 08:30 to 19:00 The offices are staffed until 17:30 and 19:30 respectively. Where a particular office has different regular hours, consult its published local schedule.

Who can receive a certificate?

The measure covers people whose identity document has been lost, stolen, damaged or destroyed, as well as those with an expired identity card. A certificate is issued only after an application for a new identity card has been accepted. If someone has already applied but the new card cannot be issued in time, they may request a certificate.

The request must be made in person at Bulgarian Identity Documents offices within regional police directorates or district police stations. If an application for a new identity card has already been registered under the applicant's permanent address, the certificate may also be obtained from another Interior Ministry office regardless of permanent or current address. Check the relevant regional directorate for the hours of the specific office.

Certificates from the first round are not valid

The Interior Ministry explicitly notes that certificates issued for the 25 October election are not valid for 1 November. A new certificate may be presented only to the polling station election commission and is valid only on election day.

Source: Ministry of Interior, official announcement dated 27 October 2026.

Photo: Element5 Digital / Unsplash (illustrative voting documents; not photographed during the 2026 Bulgarian election). Unsplash licence.