Your grandmother was born in Chernivtsi in 1937 - back then it was Romania. You found out you’re eligible for a Romanian passport, gathered the documents, got the apostille, and then hit a wall: the birth certificate translation was rejected because the translator wasn’t authorized by Romania’s Ministry of Justice. Two months wasted, money gone - and back to square one. Here’s how to avoid that same trap and get from your first document to a Romanian EU passport.
Who’s Eligible for Romanian Citizenship by Descent¶
Romanian nationality law is built on the principle of jus sanguinis - right of blood. Citizenship passes through ancestry, not birthplace. For Ukrainians, this is particularly relevant because parts of modern Ukraine were Romanian territory until 1940.
Under the Romanian Citizenship Law (Legea cetățeniei române nr. 21/1991), there are two main pathways:
Article 10 - Reacquisition of Citizenship¶
This covers former Romanian citizens and their descendants up to the third generation. Your parent, grandparent, or great-grandparent must have been a Romanian citizen who lost citizenship involuntarily (usually due to the Soviet annexation of territories in 1940).
Article 11 - Restoration for Former Territory Residents¶
This article is specifically for descendants of individuals born in territories that belonged to Romania between 1918 and 1940: Bessarabia, Northern Bukovina, Southern Bessarabia (Budjak). Even with incomplete documentation, Article 11(2) allows proving territorial connection through partial documents.
This extraordinary opportunity extends not only to those with ancestors from present-day Romania, but also to descendants of individuals born in former Romanian territories between 1918-1940, including regions that are now part of Moldova, Ukraine, Serbia, and Bulgaria.
Bottom line: if your roots trace back to Chernivtsi Oblast or certain parts of Odesa Oblast - you’ve got a real shot.
Which Parts of Ukraine Were Romanian Territory (1918-1940)¶
| Territory | Modern Districts | Period |
|---|---|---|
| Northern Bukovina | Chernivtsi Oblast (Chernivtsi, Hlyboka, Vyzhnytsia, Storozhynets) | 1918-1940 |
| Khotyn County | Part of Chernivtsi Oblast (Khotyn, Novoselytsia) | 1918-1940 |
| Southern Bessarabia (Budjak) | Part of Odesa Oblast (Izmail, Bilhorod-Dnistrovskyi, Bolhrad, Reni, Kiliya) | 1918-1940 |
| Hertsa District | Hertsa (Chernivtsi Oblast) | 1918-1940 |
If your great-grandparent was born in any of these places - you’re a candidate. But now comes the real challenge: the paperwork.
Full Document Checklist for Citizenship Application¶
The Autoritatea Națională pentru Cetățenie (ANC) is the body that processes citizenship applications. All documents are submitted either directly to ANC in Bucharest or through a Romanian consulate.
Applicant’s Documents¶
| Document | Notes |
|---|---|
| Application form (cerere) | Available at cetatenie.just.ro |
| Passport (copy + original) | Valid international passport |
| Birth certificate | Issued within the last 2 years, apostilled |
| Marriage certificate | If married, apostilled |
| Divorce certificate | If divorced, apostilled |
| Criminal record clearance | From Ukraine - apostilled |
| Romanian criminal record | Cazier judiciar - ordered through cazier.politiaromana.ro |
| Loyalty declaration | Filled out at submission |
| Photos 3.5x4.5 cm | 2-4 copies |
| B1 Romanian language certificate | Required for most applicants from April 2026 |
Ancestor Documents (Lineage Chain)¶
This is the critical part. You need to build a documentary chain from your Romanian citizen ancestor down to you.
| Generation | Required Documents |
|---|---|
| Great-grandparent | Birth certificate (from Romanian territory pre-1940) |
| Grandparent | Birth certificate + marriage certificate |
| Parent | Birth certificate + marriage certificate |
| Applicant (you) | Birth certificate + marriage certificate (if applicable) |
Key point: ANC requires civil status certificates (birth, marriage, divorce) to be issued within the last 2 years of the application date. You can’t bring an old certificate - you need to order a fresh copy.
Tip: start collecting documents from the ancestor and work your way down through generations. If a great-grandparent’s certificate can’t be obtained - contact the regional state archive for an archival certificate. The Chernivtsi and Odesa Oblast archives hold large collections of Romanian-period documents.
Translation Requirements: Who Can Translate¶
This is where most people get tripped up. Not just any translator can handle translations for Romanian citizenship. ANC only accepts translations done by an authorized translator (traducător autorizat) licensed by Romania’s Ministry of Justice.
Two Options for Translation Legalization¶
Option A: Translation in Ukraine + Legalization in Romania
- Translation done by an authorized translator registered with a Romanian consulate or Romania’s Ministry of Justice
- Translation is notarized
- Apostille placed on the notarial certification
This works but finding such a translator in Ukraine is harder. Most authorized Romanian translators are concentrated in Chernivtsi and border areas.
Option B: Translation Directly in Romania or Moldova
- Send apostilled documents to Romania
- Authorized translator in Romania does the translation and certifies it
- Translation automatically has legal force
This option is simpler from a legalization standpoint - an authorized translator’s work in Romania doesn’t need additional notarization.
All documents not originally in Romanian must be translated by a certified translator (traducător autorizat), and the translation must then be notarized. Authorities do not accept uncertified translations, even if accurate.
What Exactly Needs Translation¶
Every document not in Romanian needs to be translated:
- Birth certificates (everyone in the chain)
- Marriage certificates (everyone in the chain)
- Divorce certificates (if applicable)
- Criminal record clearance
- Archival certificates
- Passport (first page translation)
Note: Soviet-era archival documents in Russian also need translation into Romanian. Ukrainian-era documents (post-1991) - from Ukrainian. If you’ve got documents in different languages - each gets translated separately.
Apostille: Getting the Order Right¶
An apostille is a special stamp confirming a document’s authenticity for international use. Both Romania and Ukraine are members of the 1961 Hague Convention, so an apostille is all that’s needed for legalization.
The Rule: Apostille First, Then Translation¶
This is critical and one of the most common mistakes. The correct sequence:
- Get a fresh document (issued within the last 2 years)
- Get an apostille on the original
- Translate the document + apostille into Romanian
- Notarize the translation (if the translator isn’t in Romania)
If you translate BEFORE the apostille - you’ll have to redo the translation, because the apostille goes on the original document, not on the translation.
Where to Get an Apostille in Ukraine¶
| Document Type | Where to Apostille |
|---|---|
| Civil registry certificates (birth, marriage) | Ministry of Justice or regional justice departments |
| Criminal record clearance | Ministry of Internal Affairs |
| Educational documents | Ministry of Education |
| Archival certificates | Ministry of Justice |
Apostille cost in Ukraine - 472 UAH per document (as of 2027). Processing time - 5 business days (rush - 1-2 days at double the fee).
New Rules 2025-2026: B1 Language Requirement¶
This is the biggest change in recent years. Law 14/2025, effective March 15, 2025, introduced a mandatory B1-level Romanian language proficiency requirement for most citizenship applicants.
Who’s Exempt from the Language Requirement¶
- Former Romanian citizens themselves (not descendants)
- Applicants aged 65+
- Minor children included in a parent’s application
- Individuals with medical conditions preventing language learning
How to Prove B1 Level¶
Two ways: 1. B1 certificate from an accredited language institution 2. Diploma or transcript from an educational institution where Romanian was the language of instruction for at least 3 years
As of March 15, 2025, Law 14/2025 introduced new requirements, including mandatory B1-level Romanian language proficiency for most citizenship by descent applicants. However, until April 2026, applicants can still submit their citizenship files without a Romanian language certificate.
The transition period until April 2026 lets you submit without a language certificate. But if you’re planning to apply after that date - start learning Romanian now.
Tip: Romanian shares lexical roots with other Romance languages and has some borrowed words in Ukrainian, especially in the Bukovina dialect. Getting to B1 in 6-12 months is a realistic goal for motivated learners.
Step-by-Step Process: From Documents to Passport¶
Step 1: Determine Your Eligibility (1-2 weeks)¶
Check whether any of your ancestors (up to great-grandparents) were born in territory that was part of Romania in 1918-1940. The simplest way - ask older relatives and check birth certificates.
Step 2: Collect Documents in Ukraine (1-3 months)¶
Order duplicate certificates through civil registry offices (DRACS) or regional archives. Remember: documents must be issued within the last 2 years.
Common problems at this stage: - Great-grandparent’s certificate didn’t survive - order an archival certificate from the Chernivtsi Oblast Archive or Odesa Oblast Archive - Name spelled differently across documents (Ukrainian, Russian, Romanian forms) - you’ll need a name equivalence certificate - Document is damaged or illegible - order a duplicate or notarized copy
Step 3: Apostille All Documents (2-4 weeks)¶
Every document going abroad needs an apostille. Submit to the regional justice department or Ministry of Justice.
Step 4: Translation into Romanian (1-3 weeks)¶
Note: you need to translate both the document itself and the apostille. Translation must be done by an authorized translator (traducător autorizat).
Average translation prices into Romanian:
| Document | Price (Ukraine) | Price (Romania) |
|---|---|---|
| Birth certificate | 400-800 UAH | 50-100 EUR |
| Marriage certificate | 400-800 UAH | 50-100 EUR |
| Criminal record clearance | 300-600 UAH | 40-80 EUR |
| Archival certificate (1-2 pages) | 500-1000 UAH | 60-120 EUR |
| Apostille (translation) | 200-400 UAH | 30-50 EUR |
For a standard package of 8-12 documents, translation in Ukraine runs 5,000-10,000 UAH, in Romania - 500-1,200 EUR.
Step 5: Submit Application to ANC (1 day)¶
Submit in person at ANC in Bucharest or through a Romanian consulate. There are consulates in Kyiv, Chernivtsi, Odesa, and Suceava. Submitting through a consulate is usually slower.
Step 6: Wait for Decision (6-24 months)¶
Under new rules, ANC has 2 years to review applications from the registration date. Applications under Articles 10 and 11 (by descent) get priority. In practice, processing takes 6-24 months depending on workload and case complexity.
Step 7: Oath Ceremony (jurământ) (up to 3 months after decision)¶
After a positive decision, you take the oath of allegiance to Romania. This can be done at ANC in Bucharest or at a Romanian consulate.
The oath text (in Romanian): “Jur să fiu devotat patriei și poporului român, să apăr drepturile și interesele naționale, să respect Constituția și legile României” - “I swear to be devoted to my homeland and the Romanian people, to defend national rights and interests, to respect the Constitution and laws of Romania.”
After the oath, you receive a temporary citizenship certificate.
Step 8: Registration and Passport (2-6 months)¶
After the oath, you need to: 1. Register your foreign documents (birth, marriage) in Romania’s civil registry system 2. Obtain Romanian birth and marriage certificates 3. Only then apply for a passport
Overall timeline from start to passport:
| Stage | Timeline |
|---|---|
| Collecting documents in Ukraine | 1-3 months |
| Apostille + translation | 1-2 months |
| ANC application review | 6-24 months |
| Oath ceremony | 1-3 months |
| Registration + passport | 2-6 months |
| Total | 12-36 months |
Common Mistakes and Pitfalls¶
Mistake 1: Unauthorized Translator¶
ANC doesn’t accept translations from translators without authorization from Romania’s Ministry of Justice. Even a perfect translation gets rejected. Check whether the translator is in the Ministry of Justice registry.
Mistake 2: Outdated Documents¶
Certificates issued more than 2 years ago aren’t accepted. This applies to birth, marriage, and divorce certificates. Criminal record clearances have an even shorter shelf life - typically 3-6 months.
Mistake 3: Translating Before Apostille¶
The correct order: document → apostille → translation (of document + apostille). If you translated before the apostille - ANC will ask you to redo it.
Mistake 4: Name Discrepancies¶
If your grandmother’s birth certificate shows her name as “Мария” but your mother’s birth certificate lists the mother as “Марія” - ANC might treat these as different people. Solution: a name equivalence certificate from the civil registry, also apostilled and translated.
Mistake 5: Fraudulent Intermediaries¶
As The Wandering Investor warns:
Some fraudulent service providers have created fake ancestors for applicants by sourcing blank Soviet birth certificates and backfilling details with fabricated great-grandparents born in what was then Romania but is now Ukraine.
This is a serious crime - document forgery for citizenship. Only work with legal professionals who have official registration. Verify lawyers through Baroul României.
Dual Citizenship: Do You Have to Give Up Your Ukrainian Passport?¶
Short answer: no. Romania allows dual citizenship - no need to renounce your Ukrainian passport. With Ukraine’s Law №4502-IX on multiple citizenship now in effect, Ukraine also officially permits holding multiple citizenships (with EU member states and other approved countries).
This means you can hold both Ukrainian and Romanian passports completely legally. A Romanian passport gives you EU citizen status with the right to live and work anywhere in the European Union.
How Much Does the Whole Process Cost¶
Let’s calculate real expenses for a standard case (lineage chain to great-grandparent, 10-12 documents):
| Expense Item | Cost |
|---|---|
| Duplicate certificates (civil registry, 4-6 pcs.) | 500-600 UAH |
| Archival certificates (1-3 pcs.) | 300-900 UAH |
| Apostille (8-12 documents × 472 UAH) | 3,800-5,700 UAH |
| Translations into Romanian (in Ukraine) | 5,000-10,000 UAH |
| Criminal record clearance (Romania) | 10-20 EUR |
| Trip to Bucharest/consulate | 100-500 EUR |
| B1 certificate (courses + exam) | 200-600 EUR |
| Total (without lawyer) | ~800-1,500 EUR |
| Legal representation (optional) | 1,500-5,000 EUR |
Doing it yourself - you’ll spend around 800-1,500 EUR. Hiring a lawyer for full service - 1,500-5,000 EUR depending on complexity. The most expensive option - complete handling including document search and travel for the oath - can run 10,000-19,000 EUR with premium agencies.
Want to save on translations? Upload your documents to ChatsControl - get a Romanian translation in minutes, with AI quality review. This gives you a draft translation to understand your documents before going to an authorized translator.
Where to Find Help and Documents¶
Archives in Ukraine¶
| Archive | What It Holds | Location |
|---|---|---|
| Chernivtsi Oblast Archive | Northern Bukovina documents, Romanian period | Chernivtsi, Komarova St. 7 |
| Odesa Oblast Archive | Southern Bessarabia, Budjak documents | Odesa, Zhukovskoho St. 18 |
| DRACS (Civil Registry) | Certificates from the last 75 years | Regional offices across Ukraine |
| TsDAVO | Central funds, administrative documents | Kyiv |
Romanian Consulates in Ukraine¶
- Embassy in Kyiv - kyiv.mae.ro
- Consulate in Chernivtsi - closest for Bukovina applicants
- Consulate in Odesa - for Bessarabia applicants
Useful Online Resources¶
- cetatenie.just.ro - ANC official website
- just.ro - Romania’s Ministry of Justice (translator registry)
- cazier.politiaromana.ro - Romanian criminal record clearance
FAQ¶
How long does it take to get Romanian citizenship by descent?¶
From starting document collection to receiving a passport - realistically 12-36 months. The ANC review itself takes 6-24 months, but add 2-3 months for document collection and translation, plus another 3-6 months after the decision for the oath ceremony and passport processing. If your documents are complex (archival, with name discrepancies) - the process can stretch to 3-5 years.
Do I need to speak Romanian to get citizenship?¶
Since March 15, 2025, Law 14/2025 requires B1-level proficiency for most applicants. Exceptions include former citizens themselves (not descendants), people aged 65+, minors, and those with medical conditions preventing language learning. The transition period until April 2026 lets you submit without a language certificate.
How much does document translation for Romanian citizenship cost?¶
Translation of a single document (certificate, clearance) into Romanian costs 400-800 UAH in Ukraine or 50-100 EUR in Romania. For a full package of 8-12 documents, expect 5,000-10,000 UAH or 500-1,200 EUR. The translation must be done by an authorized translator (traducător autorizat) registered with Romania’s Ministry of Justice.
Can I submit documents through a consulate instead of going to Bucharest?¶
Yes, you can submit through Romanian consulates in Kyiv, Chernivtsi, or Odesa. In practice, though, the consulate route tends to be slower. The oath (jurământ) can also be taken at a consulate. Some applicants choose direct submission to ANC in Bucharest to speed things up.
Do I have to give up my Ukrainian citizenship?¶
No. Romania allows dual citizenship. Ukraine since 2026 also officially permits multiple citizenships with EU countries. You can hold both passports - Ukrainian and Romanian - completely legally.
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