A party cannot sign or does not understand Bulgarian: completing the deed

Physical inability to sign does not itself prevent a person from participating personally in a Bulgarian property transaction. The Civil Procedure Code provides special arrangements that should be organised with the notary in advance.

Distinguish signing from understanding

The notary checks identity, legal capacity and authority, reads the deed and authenticates approval. Where illiteracy or physical disability prevents signing, Article 579 refers to Article 189’s fingerprint procedure, without witnesses countersigning the notarial deed. A relative cannot simply sign in the participant’s place.

If the difficulty is inability to understand or control the act, a fingerprint does not resolve it. That raises a separate question of validity and lawful participation, rather than a technical problem with holding a pen.

Interpretation belongs within the procedure

Where a participant does not know Bulgarian and the language used is unfamiliar to the notary, Article 582 requires an appointed interpreter. An advance translation is helpful but does not replace understanding and approval of the final text through the required procedure.

For hearing or speech difficulties, Article 583 prescribes particular steps according to literacy and communication ability, including a Bulgarian sign-language interpreter in specified cases. Inform the notary’s office of the actual need rather than assuming an accompanying person can fulfil the role. Coordinate any changes to the final deed before execution.