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27 July 2024

Get passport in Romania

Obtaining a passport is a crucial step for anyone planning to travel internationally. In Romania, the process is well-structured, ensuring that citizens can easily acquire their travel documents. Learn how to obtain a Romanian passport in 2024, even by descent/ancestry. Discover the requirements, including biometric and electronic passport options, and navigate the process with our comprehensive guide

 

Romania passport by investment biometric requirements

 

Getting passport in Romania is a straightforward process, but understanding the necessary steps and requirements can save you time and effort. Whether you are a Romanian citizen or a foreign resident, this comprehensive guide will walk you through everything you need to know about getting a passport in Romania, including the application procedure, required documents, processing times, and useful tips to ensure a smooth experience. Stay informed and prepared with our detailed insights into securing your Romanian passport.

 

Understanding the types of Romanian passports

 

Romania offers several types of passports, each designed to cater to different needs:

 

  1. Ordinary Electronic Passport: For regular international travel by Romanian citizens. The electronic passport is the same with biometric passport, the electronic document containing a chip with biometric data (facial image and the fingerprint) for enhanced security.

  2. Temporary Ordinary Passport: Issued in urgent situations where the ordinary passport cannot be provided in time.

  3. Diplomatic Passport: For diplomats and government officials on official duty.

  4. Service Passport: For individuals employed by the Romanian government traveling for official purposes.

 

The Romanian Ministry of Interior is the unique competent authority for the issuance of all passports with the exception of diplomatic and service passports, which are issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

 

Eligibility criteria for obtaining passport in Romania

 

To be eligible for a Romanian passport, you must be a Romanian citizen. You will need to provide proof of citizenship, which can include a Romanian ID card, birth certificate, or citizenship certificate.

 

The foreigners can also obtain the Romanian passport. The Romanian Immigration Inspectorate, through its territorial branches, or, where applicable, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, through Romania's diplomatic missions and consular offices abroad, can issue, upon request, the Romanian passport for the stateless persons. This passport will be issued to stateless persons with long-term residence rights in Romania, as well as stateless persons of Romanian origin.

 

Also, can obtain the Romanian passport the people who have at least one Romanian ancestor born in Romania or across Romanian borders from a Romanian born ascendant, and want to gain Romanian EU citizenship and Romanian EU passport. So, the primarily condition is to have an ancestor (up to second generation) born in Romania.

 

Our team of lawyers of Romanian Advocacy has very consistent experience helping clients to obtain Romanian passport by descent / ancestors and can assist you in all aspects related to this process.

 

Required documents for Getting the Romanian passport 

 

When applying for a Romanian passport, you need to prepare the following documents:

 

Document required for the ordinary electronic passport for adults domiciled in Romania

 

  1. ​​​​The identity card, the provisional identity card or, as the case may be, the identity card, within the validity period, in the original. The provisional identity card must be accompanied by the original birth certificate.

  2. The document proving the payment of the passport value, in the original, or the payment document/proof of the transaction, edited on paper or in electronic format, containing the transaction number and the data of the person on whose behalf the travel document is requested (name, first name, CNP), as well as the amount paid, related to the type of passport requested

  3. The previous passport, if it exists.

 

Document required for the ordinary electronic passport for minors under 14 years old, domiciled in Romania 

 

  1. Identity document(s) of the parent(s), of the legal representative or, as the case may be, of the authorized person, within the validity period, in the original

  2. The document proving the payment of the passport value, in the original, or the payment document/proof of the transaction, edited on paper or in electronic format, containing the transaction number and the data of the person on whose behalf the travel document is requested (name, first name, CNP), as well as the amount paid, related to the type of passport requested.

  3. The minor's previous passport, if it exists.

 

In the event the application for the issuance of the ordinary electronic passport is made by a single parent/legal representative/authorized person, it must be accompanied, as appropriate, by:

 

  1. Special power of attorney by which one parent empowers the other parent or the statement regarding the consent of the other parent, in the original, or a duplicate of the original document for the special power of attorney and the statement of the other parent, authenticated and issued starting from January 1, 2013.

  2. Special power of attorney, for requests made by the authorized person, in the original, or a duplicate of the original document for special powers of attorney authenticated and issued starting from January 1, 2013.

  3. The court decision entrusting the minor, remaining final and irrevocable, or the court decision based on which the parent exercises parental authority alone, remaining final and irrevocable or remaining final for the processes started on February 15, 2013, or the presidential ordinance that expressly includes the fact that the parent/legal representative in whose favor the exercise of parental authority was ordered has the right to request the issuance of the passport. The submitted court decisions must include the court stamp, in the original. Judgments rendered abroad must meet the conditions provided by law for recognition and enforcement.

  4. Court decision remained final and irrevocable, court decision remained final for the processes started on February 15, 2013 or presidential order, by which the court supplemented the consent of the other parent for the issuance of the passport. The submitted court decisions must include the court stamp, in the original. Judgments rendered abroad must meet the conditions provided by law for recognition and enforcement.

  5. The act of designation of the legal representative, only for the requests made by him, in the case of minors who, at the time of the ban, are not under the protection of their parents.

  6. Death certificate of the parent, for requests made by the surviving parent or for those made by the person authorized by him, in the original.

Document required for the ordinary electronic passport for minors who have reached 14 years old, domiciled in Romania 

 

In the event that the application is made with the consent to issue the ordinary electronic passport given by a single parent/surviving parent/legal representative, this must be accompanied, as appropriate, by:

  1. ​​​​The identity card of the minor or his provisional identity card, within the validity period, in the original.

  2. The minor's birth certificate, in original.

  3. Statements regarding the agreement to issue the passport, given, as the case may be, by both parents/one parent/surviving parent/legal representative, in the original or a duplicate of the original document, for statements authenticated and issued as of January 1, 2013 (for minors married under the law, these declarations are not necessary).

  4. Marriage certificate of the minor married under the law, in original.

  5. The document proving the payment of the passport value, in the original, or the payment document/proof of the transaction, edited on paper or in electronic format, containing the transaction number and the data of the person on whose behalf the travel document is requested (name, first name, CNP), as well as the amount paid, related to the type of passport requested.

  6. The minor's previous passport, if it exists.

 

In the event that the application is made with the consent to issue the passport given by a single parent/surviving parent/legal representative, this must be accompanied, as appropriate, by:

  1. The court decision entrusting the minor, remaining final and irrevocable or the court decision under which the parent exercises parental authority alone, remaining final and irrevocable or remaining final for the processes started on February 15, 2013, or the presidential ordinance which expressly includes the fact that the parent has the right to give his own consent for the issuance of the passport. The submitted court decisions must include the court stamp, in the original.

  2. The court decision remained final and irrevocable or remained final for the processes started on February 15, 2013 or the presidential order, by which the court supplemented the consent of the other parent for the issuance of the passport. The submitted court decisions must include the court stamp, in the original. 

  3. The death certificate of the other parent, in original.

  4. The act of designation of the legal representative.

Application process for obtaining the Romanian passport

 

Step 1: Prepare Your Documents. Ensure you have all the necessary documents ready. Double-check the requirements to avoid any delays.

 

Step 2: Complete the Application Form. Fill out the application form accurately. Mistakes can lead to delays or even denial of your application.

 

Step 3: Pay the Passport Fee. The fees vary depending on the type of passport and processing time. Payments can usually be made at designated banks or online.

 

Step 4: Submit Your Application. Submit your application at the local passport office or consulate. Some offices might require an appointment, so it’s advisable to check beforehand.

 

Applications for the issuance of the Romanian passports are submitted in person by persons who have reached the age of 18 or minors who are married under the terms of the law, in the country, to the community public passport services in whose jurisdiction they have their domicile or, as the case may be, their residence, and in abroad, at diplomatic missions and consular offices of Romania. If applicants for Romanian passports cannot present themselves at the public community passport services in whose jurisdiction they have domicile or, as the case may be, residence, applications for the issuance of Romanian passports can be submitted to the nearest public community service of passports.

Step 5: Biometric Data Collection. For electronic passports, you will need to provide biometric data, including fingerprints and a digital photo.

 

Step 6: Wait for Processing. The processing time for Romanian passports can vary: Ordinary Passport - typically 14-30 days; Temporary Passport - usually issued within a few days and Electronic Passport - can take up to 30 days.

 

Step 7: Collect Your Passport. You will be notified when your passport is ready for collection. Make sure to bring your ID and the receipt of payment when picking up your passport. 

 

The passport is collected from the community public service or from the diplomatic missions and consular offices of Romania abroad where the application was submitted or, as the case may be, from the community public service or from the diplomatic missions and consular offices of Romania in abroad chosen by the applicant. The passport is picked up by the holder or by the person who formulated the request or by the person authorized by him/her through a special power of attorney. In the situation where the request was made by an authorized person, he is required to pick up the passport in person, unless the principal has expressly authorized him to substitute another person in this regard.

 

Fees for issuance the passport in Romania

 

The fees for Romanian passports vary: for the ordinary electronic passport - RON 258 (approx. EUR 52), for the person who have not reached the age of 12 and RON 234 (approx. EUR 47) - for people under 12 years old and RON 96 (approx. EUR 20) - for the ordinary temporary passport, independent of the age of the applicant.

 

How can the payment be made? The passport fee can be paid in Romania: at the cashiers of CEC Bank units, as well as at CEC Bank's Selfpay payment stations or online, exclusively through the virtual payment platform www.ghiseul.ro.

 

Validity period of the Romanian passport

 

The ordinary electronic passport is valid: 3 years for minors under the age of 12; 5 years for people aged between 12 and 18 years and 10 years for people over 18 years old, while the ordinary temporary passport is valid for 12 months.

 

Deadline for passport issuance by the Romanian authorities

 

The deadline the passport will be issued by the Romanian authorities are the following: 15 working days - in the case of requests for the issuance of the passports submitted in the country; 45 working days - in the case of requests for the issuance of passports submitted abroad, at the diplomatic missions and consular offices of Romania in the member states of the European Union; 60 working days - in the case of requests for the issuance of the passports submitted abroad, at diplomatic missions and consular offices of Romania in third countries in relation to the European Union.

 

The ordinary temporary passport will be issued within no more than 3 days as of the submission date of the application.

 

 

Applying for a Romanian passport can be a seamless experience if you are well-prepared and informed about the process. Whether you're a first-time applicant or renewing your passport, these tips will help ensure a smooth and hassle-free application:

 

  1. Double-Check Requirements: Ensure you have all the required documents and that they are up to date.

  2. Make Copies: Have photocopies of all your documents ready.

  3. Stay Informed: Regularly check the official website for any updates or changes in the application process.

 

Where to apply for the Romanian passport?

 

The issuance of the passport in Romania can be requested at any public community passport service and abroad, at diplomatic missions and consular offices of Romania.

 

Rank of the Romanian passport. Visa free access for Romanian citizens

 

According to the website LatitudeWorld.com, the Romania passport is 6th in the world in line with the passport rating algorithm. Thus, as a Romanian citizen, the holder of the Romanian passport will be able to travel visa-free to 176 countries. In order to travel visa-free, you will need a valid passport, often with at least six months until expiry. Additionally, you may need travel insurance, as required by your destination country.

 

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) regarding the passport in Romania

 

1. Who else than the Romanian citizens are entitled to obtain the Romanian passport?

 

Foreigners can obtain a Romanian passport under certain conditions. The Romanian Immigration Inspectorate issue the Romanian passport:

1. to stateless individuals who have long-term residency rights in Romania, as well as to stateless persons of Romanian origin.

2. the individuals who have at least one Romanian ancestor born in Romania or across Romanian borders from a Romanian born ascendant; it will be necessary to have an ascendant (up to second generation) born in Romania.

 

2. What should I do if I lose my passport?

 

If you lose your passport, report it immediately to the nearest police station and obtain a police report. Then, visit the nearest Romanian consulate or passport office to apply for a replacement. You will need to provide the police report, identity documents, and pay the replacement fee.

 

3. Are there any special cases for obtaining a Romanian passport?

 

Yes, in cases of emergency or urgent travel, a temporary passport may be issued. Proof of the emergency situation, such as a medical emergency or urgent work travel, will be required along with additional fees.

 

4. What are the eligibility criteria for obtaining a Romanian passport by descent / ancestry?

 

Individuals who can prove Romanian descent, such as children and grandchildren of Romanian citizens, may be eligible for a Romanian passport.

The first category includes immigrants who never renounced their Romanian citizenship and those whose citizenship was not withdrawn. Additionally, the children and grandchildren of these immigrants are also eligible for Romanian citizenship and a Romanian EU passport.

The second group includes individuals who previously held Romanian citizenship but voluntarily renounced it for various reasons, such as the opportunity to emigrate during the Communist regime. It also includes those who lost their citizenship due to reasons beyond their control. Members of this group have the right to reclaim their citizenship and obtain a Romanian EU passport by submitting an application along with the required documents. Eligibility extends to the second and third generation descendants of these individuals.

Our lawyers has very consistent experience helping clients to obtain Romanian passport by descent / ancestors and can assist you in all aspects related to this process.

 

5. What if I Need a Romanian passport urgently?

 

If you require a passport urgently, you can apply for a temporary passport, which is processed more quickly but is valid for a shorter period.

 

6. How long is the biometric data stored in the passport issued by Romania authorities?

 

The biometric data stored in the microchip of the Romanian passport is meant to last for the entire validity period of the passport. It is securely encrypted to protect your personal information.

 

Conclusion: Secure your Romanian passport

 

Obtaining a passport in Romania is an attractive option for those seeking the benefits of Romanian citizenship. This pathway not only provides a gateway to the European Union but also offers various business and travel advantages. By understanding and fulfilling the requirements, including those for biometric electronic passports and temporary ones, you can streamline the application process and ensure a successful outcome.

 

Getting the Romanian passport is a straightforward process if you are well-prepared. By understanding the types of passports available, ensuring you meet the eligibility criteria, and preparing all required documents, you can efficiently navigate the application process. Whether you're planning a vacation, a business trip, or an urgent journey, having a valid passport will ensure you can travel with ease. Safe travels!

 

For any of your need regarding the passport in Romania, feel free to get in touch with our English speaking attorneys at sorina@roadvocacy.ro (+40 744 65 09 50) or using the contact form on at www.roadvocacy.ro.

 

The blog of the Romanian lawyer

 

 

 

The Lawyer's corner is nothing else but a legal blog dedicated only for entrepreneurs and investors in Romania 

 

Weekly usefull posts about the investors' first steps in Romania, from the perspective of practicing business law, servicing our clients' needs and litigation, written and published by a Romanian litigation lawyer with over 15 years experience

 

 

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Romanian Advocacy

 

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Romanian Advocacy

 

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Romanian Advocacy

| Your business | Our mission |

 

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