Relations between Bulgarians and foreigners will be regulated by a single legislative act – the International Private Law Code – the final reading of which was approved by Parliament on Wednesday. The Code envisages that foreigners will be able to marry in Bulgaria only if they have permanent residence in this country. Other status issues such as age, sex and health will be defined for each of the marriage candidates in pursuance of the laws in their country of origin. When a Bulgarian divorces, only a Bulgarian court will rule on the divorce, as well as on the division of family property. However, personal relations of a married couple will be regulated by the law of the country in which they reside.
Child adoption will be subject to the laws of the country of which the child and the future parent at the moment of applying for the adoption are citizens. Written consent from the Minister of Justice will be mandatory when applying to adopt a Bulgarian child. (Dnevnik)