Procedure and documents necessary to marry a foreign citizen in Bucharest/Ilfov area.

For marriage, the file must be submitted to the town hall corresponding to the domicile or residence of one of the future spouses, 11-14 days before the desired date. Town halls from certain areas require the presence of a sworn interpreter upon the submission of the file for the registration of the marriage.

Babylon Consult interpreters are authorized by the Ministry of Justice and they can assist you when you submit the file or when the marriage is officiated.

The exact appointment of the date and time of the marriage shall be established at the time when the file is submitted, together with the civil status officer, as available.

No appointments or reservations shall be made in advance.

Documents required to compile the file

Wife / Husband:

Identity document (passport, stay permit, etc.), in original and copy, valid when the file is submitted and the marriage officiated.
Birth certificate, in original and copy, with Apostille or superlegalized, translated and notarized in Romania.
Decision of divorce or death certificate, with Apostille or superlegalized, translated and notarized.
Supporting document issued by a diplomatic/consular mission (if any), translated and notarized.
Declaration authenticated by a notary (for citizens whose countries do not have a diplomatic mission), proving the fulfilment of the substantive conditions required by the national law for marriage.
Documents issued by the competent authorities from the country, translated and notarized (for countries having concluded agreements for legal assistance with Romania).
Notarial declaration from Romania, proving the fulfilment of the substantive conditions and the surname after the marriage.

Attention!!! The Apostille and the superlegalization shall be done in the country where the documents have been issued, and the translation and notarization may be done by Babylon Consult translators, translators authorized by the Romanian Ministry of Justice.

Notarial declarations shall be prepared mandatory in the presence of a sworn interpreter.

Languages used in interpreting and notarized translation:

languages of wide international circulation: English, French, German, Italian, Spanish, Russian;
other languages: Albanian, Arabic, Bulgarian, Czech, Chinese, Croatian, Danish, Hebrew, Finnish, Greek, Japanese, Macedonian, Hungarian, Norwegian, Dutch, Polish, Portuguese, Serbian, Slovak, Swedish, Turkish, Ukrainian;

For the registration of the marriage, it shall be required a Notarial Declaration drawn up by a notary, in the presence of a Romanian Interpreter authorized by the Ministry of Justice

The declaration shall be drafted in Romanian language by the notary and translated by the interpreter to the foreign citizen, then signed and stamped by the interpreter.

The declaration shall contain information on the domiciled from abroad of the foreign citizen, the fact that the foreign citizen is not currently married in another country, the conditions necessary for the conclusion of the marriage in Romania and the legislation and matrimonial regime of choice.

The foreign citizen shall submit a valid celibacy certificate, issued by his/her country of citizenship or by the Embassy from Romania, proving that he/she is not married.

Upon the conclusion of the marriage, two witnesses with an identity card/bulletin must be present, and if they are foreign citizens, it shall be required the presence of a sworn interpreter.

PRENUPTIAL MEDICAL CERTIFICATES– the general practitioner or another healthcare unit – validity 14 days.

Special regulations upon the conclusion of the marriage between a Romanian citizen and a foreign citizen:

The foreign citizen must submit the proof issued by the diplomatic mission of his/her state of citizenship, accredited in Romania, that he/she meets the legal conditions to conclude the marriage.

Citizens from states having concluded an agreement for legal assistance in civil and family matters (Albania, Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Bosnia, Czech Republic, China, Korea, Croatia, Cuba, France, Moldova, Mongolia, Poland, Russia, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Hungary, Ukraine) shall submit documents issued by their authorities and they are exempt from Apostille and superlegalization.

Citizens whose states do not have a diplomatic mission in Romania will give declarations on their own responsibility authenticated by a notary public, that the future spouse meets the legal conditions for marriage.

Israeli citizens shall submit an excerpt from the population registers, a decision for divorce or a death certificate (if applicable), and a notarial declaration that no other marriage is concluded. The documents must bear an Apostille.

Norwegian citizens shall submit the certificate of civil status and the proof that they are not married, all of them issued by the Norwegian authorities.

Special regulations may also be applicable to other states, depending on the agreements with Romania.

Useful addresses:

Public Directorate for Persons Record and Civil Status of District 1
17 Mareşal Averescu Bd., Building A, District 1, Bucharest
Public Directorate for Persons Record and Civil Status of District 2
11-13 Chiristigiilor Street
Civil Status Service of District 3
5 Mircea Vodă Bd.
General Directorate for Persons Record of District 4
26 Gramont Street
Civil Status Office of District 5
9-11 Fabrica de Chibrituri Street
Civil Status Service of District 6
85 Drumul Sării Street

How long does it take to obtain the document necessary to marry a foreign citizen in Romania?

The time required to obtain the documents necessary to marry a foreign citizen in Romania may vary depending on the individual circumstances and the administrative procedures specific to each situation. Normally, the process can take several months, period in which all the necessary documents must be obtained and the marriage must be registered with the competent authorities. It is important to solicit updated information and plan everything early enough in order to avoid unexpected delays. The notarized translation of the documents is an essential part of the bureaucratic process. Save time and send the scanned documents to the email address info[@]babylonconsult.ro for a free evaluation.

Is there any religious or civil ceremony that needs to be performed before recognizing the marriage concluded in Romania?

Yes, in order to be legally recognized in Romania, a marriage must be registered with the civil authorities by performing a civil ceremony at the town hall where the marriage follows to be registered. In addition, a religious ceremony may also be performed, but it is not necessary for the legal recognition of the marriage in Romania. It is important to follow the procedures specific to each situation and to obtain all the necessary documents before planning the marriage ceremony.

What documents are required to solicit a residence visa for the foreign partner?

A passport valid for at least 6 months from the date of the arrival in Romania. A visa to enter Romania, as the case may be. The marriage certificate attesting that the foreign partner is married to the Romanian citizen or the foreign resident in Romania. The medical certificate attesting that the foreign partner is medically fit to enter Romania. Evidence for the means of subsistence and accommodation in Romania. It is important to solicit updated information from the competent authorities to be sure that all of the necessary documents are added to the application file for the residence visa.

Is it possible for the foreign partner to obtain the Romanian citizenship after the conclusion of the marriage?

Yes, it is possible for a foreign partner to obtain the Romanian citizenship after the conclusion of the marriage, but this process may be complex and it implies the fulfilment of certain legal requirements and administrative procedures. Also, the time required to obtain the citizenship may vary depending on individual circumstances. It is recommended to seek advice and specialized legal assistance.

Is it required the presence of both partners at the town hall where the marriage follows to be registered?

Yes, it is normally necessary for both partners to be present at the town hall where the marriage follows to be registered. According to the Romanian Civil Code, both partners must be present and declare their free and express consent regarding the marriage. If either partner cannot be present, the marriage may be registered based on a special power of attorney, but this depends on individual circumstances and an additional process might be required. It is recommended that you contact the town hall in advance to obtain specific information about the procedures for the registration of the marriage, if one of the partners cannot be present.

What happens if the foreign partner does not speak Romanian?

If the foreign partner does not speak Romanian, it is necessary to hire a sworn interpreter to ensure an appropriate communication with the Romanian authorities and other parties involved in the marriage registration process. In addition, if the documents necessary for the registration of the marriage are drawn up in another language than Romanian, they must be translated into Romanian by a sworn translator before being submitted to the Romanian authorities. Also, interpreting services shall be required at the town hall where you are about to register your marriage. We can help you with all of the services of notarized translation and authorized interpretation. Solicit a free evaluation of the documents at the email address info[@]babylonconsult.ro

Contact a member of our team for further information on our services of notarized translation, authorized interpretation and Apostille from the HAGUE.