The company Schmidt and Schmidt provides services for the retrieval of civil status documents, as well as obtaining duplicates of lost or damaged documents in Romania with their subsequent legalization and translation.
It often happens that civil status documents are lost or damaged, or it is necessary to obtain current copies of documents. In this case, it is necessary to request duplicates of documents. Often, those who have left Romania face difficulties in this procedure. Our service allows you to request documents in Romania remotely and we can carry out courier delivery of the document to any point in the world.
Validity of civil status documents in Romania
Civil status documents issued in Romania are usually valid indefinitely. However, the receiving party may impose time requirements.
When to obtain duplicate documents in Romania
A duplicate birth certificate, marriage certificate, name change certificate, divorce certificate, criminal record certificate or death certificate may be required to register a marriage abroad, a newborn child, citizenship, inheritance, data verification for pension applications, opening bank accounts, employment and other bureaucratic issues.
What documents can be requested in Romania:
- Birth certificate
- Marriage certificate
- Certificate of change of surname
- Divorce certificate
- Death certificate
- Certificates of good conduct
- Educational documents
- Other civil status documents
Birth certificate (Certificat de nastere)
A birth certificate is an official document provided by the Registrar or acting Registrar of the relevant Civil or Consular Register. It verifies details of an individual's birth, including the date, sex, and, if applicable, the time of birth and family relationships.
The Romanian birth certificate is issued by the Romanian diplomatic mission or consular office in the country where the child was born. This process is carried out by the Romanian citizen parent, or by either parent if both are Romanian nationals residing abroad. Birth records are maintained in the National Registry of Person Records, accessible through the local registry office. Replacement certificates can be requested from this registry.
Birth certificates need to be transcribed with the Romanian authorities within 6 months of the child's birth.
Types of birth certificates
- Certificat de Nastere (older version)
- Extras al Actului de Nastere (new version)
Required documents
- Parent’s passports (original and copy in most cases)
- Parent’s marriage certificate
- Parent’s residence permit(s): only one residence permit is needed when both parents are Romanian citizens living abroad
- Romanian ID card, for the parent who is a Romanian citizen (or both, as applicable)
Marriage certificate (Certificat de căsătorie)
The marriage certificate is the legal record of marriage, used to verify marital status. It is usually required for procedures such as changing the last name, applying for spousal benefits, immigration applications and for inheritance matters. It can be obtained at the Civil Registry Office in the city or town where the marriage took place.
In Romania, only civil marriages are legally recognized, and they are mandatory for couples wishing to marry. Civil ceremonies take place at the registry office in the area where either the bride or groom resides, requiring the couple to sign the marriage register before a registrar or mayor, after which a certificate is issued.
A copy of the marriage certificate can be requested from the district registry office where the marriage was registered. This document is an exact replica of the original certificate recorded with the court.
Types of marriage certificates
- Certificat de Casatorie (older version)
- Extras al Actului de Casatorie (new version)
Required documents
- Valid ID´s
- Birth Certificates
- Certificate of no impediment to marriage (if applicable)
- Divorce decree or death certificate of the former spouse
- Recent Medical Certificates
- Proof of Residency
- Marriage Application Form
Divorce certificate
A divorce certificate serves the purpose to verify the legal dissolution of a marriage. It is required for procedures such as remarrying, updating marital status on legal records, immigration applications, and legal matters involving custody, support, or property division.
In Romania, a divorce certificate is an official document issued by the Mayor's Office or a public notary when a divorce is granted through administrative or amicable means. For divorces processed through the courts, a court-certified copy of the divorce decree serves as proof of the dissolution of marriage.
Required documents
- Valid ID´s
- Application Form
- Original divorce decree or other official documents confirming the divorce
Death certificates
In Romania, a death certificate is an official document issued by the Civil Status Office to confirm and register an individual's death. It is a vital record required for various legal and administrative purposes, including inheritance, insurance claims, and terminating certain contracts.
Deaths in Romania must be registered promptly with the local registry office, which issues a death certificate required for burial arrangements. The National Registry of Person Records maintains a central database of all registered deaths in the country.
Required documents
- Valid ID
- Deceased's Identity Documents (if applicable)
- Medical Certificate of Death
- Application Form
- Proof of Relationship
Police clearance certificate
A criminal record certificate, also known as a police certificate, is a document used to verify an individual's criminal record or confirm the absence of one. It is required for employment in sensitive fields, visa or immigration applications, volunteering, firearm permits and adoption proceedings.
To order the police clearance certificate in Romania, you need to contact the public relations department of the Romanian Ministry of Internal Affairs. The certificate can be ordered for both the individual and the legal entity. Individuals applying for Police Clearance Certificate (PCC) are required to state the period of stay in Romania.
To obtain a Police Clearance Certificate (PCC) from Romania, you must write a letter to the embassy authorizing our organization to collect it on your behalf and submit a completed application form with your personal details. The Romanian Police typically processes the application in 3 to 4 working days if no criminal record is found, and the certificate will be sent to the address you provide, though certificates are not issued to holders of visitor visas.
Required documents
- Valid ID´s
- Application form
- Applicant’s fingerprint impressions (ten prints)
- Two passport size photos
- Copy of documents showing of legal residence permit in Romania
- First Entry and Last Exit date STAMP
Educational documents
Foreign educational documents only carry the same legal value as Romanian documents if they are exempt from legalization or have undergone the necessary legalization process. Documents from countries with bilateral agreements with Romania are fully exempt from legalization. Documents from countries that are part of the Hague Convention of 1961 undergo a simplified procedure called apostille. If neither countries are part of the convention or have bilateral agreements they undergo consular legalization
