Romanian Citizenship Through Marriage: Requirements and Process

Entrance

Citizenship by marriage, under Romanian citizenship law, allows a foreigner to acquire Romanian citizenship if they are married to a Romanian citizen. This process is based on the principle of preserving family unity and encourages the individual's integration into Romanian society. The Romanian Citizenship Act (Law No. 21/1991) regulates the necessary procedures and legal requirements for acquiring citizenship through marriage. This article discusses the legal basis, requirements, and processes for acquiring Romanian citizenship through marriage.

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1. What is Citizenship by Marriage?

Citizenship by marriage refers to the process by which an individual married to a Romanian citizen acquires citizenship, provided they meet certain conditions. This process requires the individual to fulfill other legal obligations besides marriage in order to obtain citizenship.

Legal Basis

• Article 10 of the Romanian Citizenship Lawregulates the acquisition of citizenship through marriage.
• According to this article, individuals married to a Romanian citizen can apply for citizenship by naturalization.

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2. Requirements for Citizenship Through Marriage

To obtain Romanian citizenship through marriage, the following conditions must be met:

a. Valid and Genuine Marriage

• The marriage must be recognized and registered by the Romanian authorities.
• The authenticity of the marriage must be supported by documents such as proof of cohabitation or joint bank accounts.

b. Permanent Residence

• The applicant must have resided legally in Romania for at least 5 years without interruption

c. Criminal Record

• Applicants must have a clean criminal record.

d. Language Proficiency

• Individuals wishing to become Romanian citizens must have a basic level of Romanian language proficiency. This is usually assessed through an interview or a language proficiency test.

e. Commitment to Citizenship

• The applicant must submit a written statement affirming their commitment to the Romanian constitution and the laws of the country.

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3. Application Process

Required Documents

1. Marriage Certificate: A marriage registration document obtained or certified by the official authorities in Romania.
2. Identity Card and Passport: Valid identification documents belonging to the applicant.
3. Criminal Record Certificate: A document showing a clean criminal record.
4. Language Proficiency Certificate: A document or interview result proving knowledge of the Romanian language.
5. Residence Documents: Documents proving at least 5 years of residence in Romania.

Application Steps

1. Document Preparation: All documents are prepared completely and include notarized translations.
2. Application Process: Applications are submitted to the Romanian Ministry of Justice or to local authorities.
3. Language and Culture Interview: The applicant's knowledge of Romanian culture and language will be assessed.
4. Evaluation Process: Documents are reviewed and the legality of the application is checked.
5. Approval and Oath Ceremony: If the application is accepted, an oath ceremony will be held and the citizenship certificate will be issued.

Process and Timeframe

• Applications are usually 12 to 18 months . However, missing documents or additional reviews may extend this period.

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4. Measures Against Fake Marriages

The Romanian government enforces strict controls to prevent the acquisition of citizenship through fraudulent marriages. The authenticity of the marriage is rigorously assessed through documentation and interviews. If a fraudulent marriage is detected, the application is rejected, and legal sanctions may be applied.

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5. Advantages of Obtaining Citizenship Through Marriage

a. European Union Rights

• Romanian citizens have the right to free movement, residence, and work in EU countries.

b. Social and Economic Rights

• The right to access health, education, and social security services is obtained.

c. Dual Citizenship

• Romania allows dual citizenship, thus enabling applicants to retain their current citizenship.

d. Family Reunification

• Citizenship application processes could be simplified for family members of individuals who acquired citizenship through marriage.

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6. Legal Problems and Solutions

a. Missing or Incorrect Documents

• Incomplete or incorrect documents may lead to the rejection of your application. It is important to prepare all documents completely.

b. Prolongation of the Process

• If the process takes a long time, it is recommended to follow up on the application regularly and seek legal support if needed.

c. Language and Culture Issues

• Applicants can attend language courses to improve their Romanian language skills.