Formalities and Documents for a Wedding in Romania

Published on May 1, 2026 and written by Cyril Jarnias

Getting married in Romania can be an emotionally rich adventure, but also a path filled with specific administrative procedures. Whether you are residents or foreigners, understanding the essential formalities and gathering the necessary documents become crucial steps to make your dream a reality.

The process includes not only submitting certain supporting documents but also following a well-established procedure that sometimes varies depending on the status and nationality of the future spouses. Dive into this practical guide to discover how to navigate the intricacies of getting married in Romania while staying calm and well-prepared.

Details of Administrative Procedures for Marriage in Romania

Legal Prerequisites for Marriage in Romania

• Minimum Age: 18 years old. Exceptionally, marriage may be authorized from age 16 with the consent of parents or guardians and a court authorization.
• Parental or Guardian Consent: Mandatory for minors wishing to marry (under 18).
• Legal Restrictions:
  • Marriages between close relatives are prohibited (up to the fourth degree of kinship).
  • A person who is already married cannot enter into a new marriage without proof of divorce or a death certificate of the previous spouse.
  • Individuals under guardianship must present specific authorization.

Required Documents to be Submitted by the Future Spouses

Required Document	Detail/Specificity
Birth Certificate	Original and copy
Identification Document	Valid ID card or passport, original + copy
Proof of Marital Status	Certificate proving single/divorced/widowed status
Proof of Residence	Certificate issued by the town hall (original + translation if foreigner)
Passport Photos	Specific format: color, white background, white band below

For foreign nationals:

• Multilingual extract of birth certificate
• Certificate attesting to marital status with Apostille and official translation
• Official certificate of residence in Romania (registration certificate)
• Documents translated into Romanian by a certified translator

Premarital Medical Certificate

1. Schedule an appointment with an approved doctor for a premarital medical examination.
2. The certificate must state that both future spouses do not suffer from diseases incompatible with marriage under Romanian law.
3. This certificate is valid for 14 days from its date of issue; it must be submitted at the time of filing the application.

Steps to Submit an Application to the Local Civil Registry Office

1. Gather all necessary documents (originals + copies).
2. Appear in person at the local civil registry office (Primăria) at least ten days before the planned date for the marriage ceremony.
3. Submit the complete file to the authorized officer who checks its compliance.
4. The public announcement is posted for ten working days; any potential opposition must be made during this period.
5. After the legal deadline expires without opposition, set the official date for the civil ceremony.

Typical Deadlines:

• File submitted: minimum 10 days before the wedding
• Validity of medical documents: maximum 14 days before submission

Specific Requirements for Foreign Nationals

• All foreign documents must be apostilled and then officially translated into Romanian
• Provide official confirmation of marital status in their home country (certified conforming and translated)

Practical Tips

• Prepare all originals as well as their certified copies
• Systematically apostille any foreign document
• Contact the competent embassy or consulate early to obtain updated lists and administrative assistance
• Check with local authorities for any specific requirements concerning particular nationalities

To facilitate your process, it is advisable:

• To schedule appointments as soon as possible with the competent institutions
• To frequently check the official website of your Romanian town hall for any procedural changes
• To regularly consult the embassy/consulate if you are a foreign national

List of Required Documents to Get Married in Romania

It is essential to gather all necessary documents for a marriage in Romania in advance, as each supporting document must be valid, translated, and legalized according to precise requirements. Anticipating these steps helps avoid any administrative delays that could compromise the wedding date or lead to unexpected additional costs. Furthermore, some certificates have a limited validity period (such as the medical certificate), making planning indispensable.

Detailed List of Required Documents

Documents	Romanian Citizens	Foreigners Residing or Not in Romania
ID Card	Original and copy	Passport (original + official translation)
Birth Certificate	Original and copy	Original + official notarized/apostilled translation
Premarital Medical Certificate	Original, valid 14 days	Same
Proof of Previous Dissolution	Divorce/death: original + copy	Divorce/death: original + apostilled translation
Affidavit	Signed before the civil registrar	Notarized declaration in Romania
Consular Certificate	Not required	Mandatory – issued by the consulate
Certificate of Single Status	Not required	Issued by authority in country of origin (+ translation)

In case of marriage with a minor: add authorization from parents/legal guardian and from the child protection service.

Differences Based on Nationality

• Foreigners must provide more documents from their country of origin.
• All foreign documents must be officially translated into Romanian and often legalized via apostille or consular legalization.
• The premarital certificate must always come from a Romanian doctor.

Documents Requiring Official Translation and Legalization

• Passport
• Birth certificate
• Divorce decree/death certificate
• Certificate/document issued abroad

These translations must be done by a certified translator and then certified by a Romanian notary. Legalization may require an apostille depending on the country concerned.

Deadlines to Anticipate

• Issuance of official documents in some countries can take up to several weeks.
• The medical certificate is only valid for 14 days – plan to request it shortly before filing the application.
• Obtaining official translations typically takes 2 to 7 business days.

Potential Associated Costs

Indicative list:

• Certified translation: approximately 50–150 EUR/document
• Apostille/consular legalization: between 20–70 EUR/document
• Notarized declaration on site: 30–100 EUR
• Premarital medical certificates: 15–40 EUR/person

Additional fees may apply for certified copies or for urgent requests from foreign administrations.

Specific Requirements Based on Type of Marriage

Civil Marriage:

• All documents listed above are mandatory.

Religious Marriage:

• Only the official civil marriage certificate is required by the church; sometimes proof of divorce if remarrying. For mixed unions, special ecclesiastical authorization may be required.

Useful Local Resources

Non-exhaustive list:

• Local Town Hall (Primăria) — civil registry office
• Consulate/embassy of the foreign country concerned
• Approved public notaries
• Certified translators registered with Romanian courts

For any specific questions, it is advisable for future spouses:

1. To contact their local town hall directly to obtain a personalized list adapted to their family context/nationality;
2. To consult official consular websites;
3. To use local legal services specialized in international marriages to avoid any costly administrative errors.

Anticipating each administrative step is essential so that your union is celebrated without unforeseen events or delays.

Tips for Expats Wishing to Get Married in Romania

List of necessary documents for an expat wishing to get married in Romania:

• ID Card (original and copy) of each future spouse.
• Birth Certificate (original and copy) of each spouse.
• Premarital Medical Certificate, valid 14 days, attesting to fitness for marriage.
• Certificate of Marital Status specifying marital status (single, divorced, widowed), dated less than 6 months and bearing an Apostille if issued abroad.
• Consular Certificate from the foreign spouse’s country of origin confirming legal capacity to marry.
• Affidavit before a notary stating that no legal impediment exists to the marriage for each of the future spouses.
• If previously married:
  • Divorce decree or certificate translated and apostilled,
  • Death certificate extract for widows/widowers.
• Proof of Residence Status, such as a Romanian ID card with address or an official certificate (“certificat de înregistrare”) for foreigners.

Requirements Regarding Translations

All foreign documents must be accompanied by a certified translation into Romanian.

Translations must be apostilled in accordance with the Hague Convention, where required.

Steps with Local Authorities

1. Personal submission of the complete file to the local civil registry office (Primăria) – usually by prior mandatory appointment.
2. Complete certain specific forms provided by the town hall on site:
   • “Marriage Certificate Order” form
   • Declaration regarding the conditions of the marriage
3. Present all originals at the time of submission; simple or certified copies are often required.
4. Wait for the legal period before the ceremony (varies by municipality).

Practical Tips for Navigating Administrative Procedures

Carefully verify that all documents are recent (less than three months old), translated, and apostilled if necessary before any submission.

Contact a local lawyer or a consultant specialized in international family law to:

• Avoid any administrative errors
• Clarify your rights in case of legal particularities related to your nationality

Cultural Particularities During Organization

• The civil ceremony is generally brief and formal; it is common for close family to be present.
• Romanian traditions often include a separate religious ceremony after the civil celebration.
• Respecting local customs – such as certain family blessings or community festivities – can strengthen social integration.

Useful Resources and Contacts

Resource	Usefulness	Contact
Embassy/Consulate	Consular assistance, Apostilles	Local address
Local Town Hall (Primăria)	Civil registry file submission	Based on residence location
Public Notary	Certified translation	Official regional list
Specialized Lawyer	Personalized legal advice	Departmental Bar Association

For any specific questions:
Systematically consult your embassy/consulate which can validate your administrative steps and provide an updated list of document requirements based on your personal situation.