How is your application examined?

After the Ombudsman receives your application, he/she will decide whether to open a verification procedure. If the Ombudsman decides to open a verification case, he/she may request more information from you or the state institution/s that you have complained about. If needed, he/she may also request information from other institutions or experts.

After the Ombudsman has gathered all the information he/she needs for the examination of your case, he/she will issue an opinion. In the opinion, the Ombudsman can either conclude that there has been a violation of your human rights, or decide that your rights have not been violated.

If the Ombudsman has concluded that a state institution has violated your human rights, he/she may inform the relevant state institution about this opinion. 

 Read more about the effect of this opinion.

How long will it take?

If you submit a complaint to the Ombudsman, he/she will take a decision on whether to open a verification case and inform you about the decision within one month.  

The Ombudsman is obliged by law to respond to your application within one month. 

The Ombudsman may extend the time-limit for the verification case if your case is complex and he needs more information from the state institutions or private individuals for its examination. The maximum length of time within which the Ombudsman must respond to your application is three months. 

note The filing of an application with the Ombudsman or the opening of a verification case does not interfere with any other time limits you may have in the Bulgarian courts or government agencies. It also does not interfere with the time limits for filing your application to the European Court of Human Rights or other international human rights institutions.

Last updated 17/03/2024