Romanian citizenship can be obtained by three main routes: descent, naturalisation and marriage. A guide to who qualifies under each, what documents are required, how foreign records must be prepared, and what draws files out in practice.
At a glance
By descent: for those who can prove descent from former Romanian citizens
By naturalisation: after a period of lawful residence, generally eight years
By marriage: to a Romanian citizen, on the statutory conditions
Final stage: taking the oath, followed by transcription of civil status records
Which route applies to you
Descent
The most common route for people with ancestors born in territories that belonged to Romania. It is proved through civil status records along the ancestral line, and most of the effort goes into locating those documents in archives.
Naturalisation
Requires lawful residence in Romania over a long period, generally eight years, together with conditions on means of support, conduct and knowledge of the Romanian language and culture.
Marriage to a Romanian citizen
The residence period is shorter than for ordinary naturalisation, but the other conditions still apply, and the marriage must be recognised in Romania.
The documents required
Depending on the route, the file includes a birth certificate, a marriage certificate, proof of descent or a residence permit, and criminal record certificates from your home country and from Romania.
Documents issued abroad must be apostilled or legalised and translated by an authorised translator. This is where most refusals originate, rather than in the substance of the application.
What happens after approval
Citizenship has no practical effect until the oath of allegiance is taken. After the oath, foreign civil status records must be transcribed into the Romanian registers. Only then can an identity card and passport be issued.
Many applicants stop after the oath and remain, in formal terms, citizens without Romanian documents.
Frequently asked questions
How many years of residence are needed for naturalisation?
As a rule, eight years of lawful residence in Romania. The period is shorter in the situations set out in Law no. 21/1991, including for spouses of Romanian citizens.
What must I prove for citizenship by descent?
An unbroken line of descent from an ancestor who was a Romanian citizen, through civil status records. Analysing the citizenship history determines whether the route is reacquisition or simply transcription.
Do I need to speak Romanian?
For naturalisation, yes: knowledge of the language and basic elements of Romanian culture and civilisation are assessed. For reacquisition by descent the requirements differ.
How long does it take?
It depends on the route and on how complete the file is. Tracing records in archives is the least predictable and usually the longest stage.
Can I keep my current citizenship?
Romania allows dual citizenship. Check the rules of your own state as well, since some do not permit it.
I have taken the oath. What comes next?
Transcription of your birth certificate and, where applicable, your marriage certificate into the Romanian civil status registers. Without them, Romanian identity documents cannot be issued.
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