If you are eligible to obtain the Romanian citizenship by descent, here are the steps that you will need to follow in order to obtain the Romanian passport:
Step 1: Prepare the citizenship file
For this step, you will need to collect relevant documents from you and your family of Romanian origin and prepare them according to the requirements. All documents must have the Hague Apostille or Supralegalization. United States and Canada are part of the Hague Convention.
You can register the citizenship file directly with the National Authority of Citizenship in Romania, or abroad with the appropriate Romanian consulates. You can choose to maintain your residence abroad or to establish it in Romania.
If you have children under the age of 18, you can include them in your application as dependents.
Step 2: Submit the Oath of Allegiance to Romania
After you receive the approval order for your citizenship file, you must take the oath of allegiance to Romania. You receive Romanian citizenship when you take the oath of allegiance. The Romanian language is a requirement with some exceptions.
After you successfully take the oath, you will receive a Romanian citizenship certificate / or Romanian citizenship card as of September 1, 2024.
Children under the age of 18 don’t have to take the oath of allegiance. However, if they turn 18 during the process, they must take the oath. Regardless of their age, they will receive their own citizenship certificate / citizenship card. Please note that children must also have a valid passport.
Step 3: Register your foreign civil status documents with the Romanian authorities
Once you have the citizenship certificate / or the citizenship card, you can start the formalities to register your foreign civil status documents, and to obtain the Romanian counterpart, i.e. Romanian birth and marriage certificates.
You can apply for the registration of your foreign civil status documents only in person. Where? At the competent Romanian Consulates, or directly in Romania at the District 1 Civil Registry Office for those who have never been resident in Romania / the ones born abroad.
Step 4: Apply for the Romanian passport
Once you have the appropriate Romanian civil status documents, you can successfully apply for a Romanian passport. You can register the passport application at the appropriate Romanian consulates or directly in Romania at any passport authority in the country.
According to the current law, people who have chosen to maintain their domicile abroad must obtain the Romanian passport within 3 years from the moment of obtaining the citizenship. Failure to do so constitutes an offence. On the other hand, people who have chosen to establish their domicile in Romania must obtain the Romanian identity card within 1 year of obtaining the citizenship.
See our previous article on this topic: https://roimmigration.com/romanian-passport/
Step 4: Congratulations!
With the Romanian passport, you can enjoy the benefits of being not only a Romanian citizen, but a European one. Securing the second passport is a wise decision, especially if you are eligible to apply for it. Romanian citizenship by descent is the most affordable option to secure the second passport and enjoy the benefits that come with it.
***DISCLAIMER***
The information provided in this article is for general informational purposes only. As such, it does not constitute legal advice or opinion. Each case is unique. Further, this information does not create an attorney-client relationship.
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Useful official links: https://cetatenie.just.ro/
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If you are of Romanian origin and are considering exploring your options and eligibility, please contact us. We will be happy to give you the guidance you need: https://roimmigration.com/contact/
