Romanian Citizenship — Descent and Reacquisition
Determining Citizenship Status in Families of Romanian Origin, Documenting the Line of Descent and Legal Coordination of the Application Process
In families of Romanian origin, the right to citizenship is not determined merely by the fact that someone in the family was born in Romania. First of all, the Romanian citizenship status of the ancestor concerned, how and on what date the citizenship was lost, whether an unbroken line of descent to the applicant can be established with official documents, and which statutory route may apply must be examined.
Canaydın Law Firm provides services in researching population, migration and citizenship records in Türkiye, preparing name-equivalence and line-of-descent documents, obtaining archive and population records in Romania through local attorneys and professionals, preparing the citizenship file, and the legal coordination of the process before the Autoritatea Națională pentru Cetățenie (ANC).
- Preliminary Eligibility Review
- Line of Descent and Archive Research
- B1 Language Process
- ANC Application
- Oath and Subsequent Civil Registry/Document Procedures
Who May Be Assessed?
There are different reacquisition routes under the Romanian Citizenship Law. Which article applies is determined according to the status of the former Romanian citizen and the degree of descent.
- Applications for citizenship again, under certain conditions, by persons who subsequently lost Romanian citizenship
- Applications by the descendants of these persons up to the degree provided by law
- Applications by former Romanian citizens who lost their citizenship through no fault of their own or whose citizenship was withdrawn against their will, and by certain of their descendants
- Eligibility assessment through a parent, grandparent or earlier generation who was born in Romania or has a history of Romanian citizenship
Under Article 10 of the Law, an assessment can be made for former citizens and their descendants up to the second degree; under Article 11, for descendants up to the third degree under the conditions stated in the Law. The mere existence of a line of descent does not mean that an application will be automatically accepted; the legal status of the former citizen and the nature of the loss of citizenship must also be determined separately.
First Stage: Determining Citizenship and the Line of Descent
Before the application, the family story must be verified with official records. The aim at this stage is to identify the person on whom the Romanian citizenship will be based and to establish the unbroken line of descent between this person and the applicant.
Researching Romanian and Turkish Archive Records
The family documents available in older files may not be sufficient on their own. It may be necessary to research birth, marriage, citizenship, migration or residence records in archives in Türkiye and Romania.
B1 Romanian Language Requirement
As of 15 March 2025, knowledge of Romanian is, as a rule, required in applications based on Articles 10 and 11 of the Romanian Citizenship Law. One of the means of proof accepted by the Law is a certificate from an authorized institution showing proficiency in Romanian at least at the B1 level.
- Examining whether the language requirement applies to the applicant
- Coordinating the planning of courses and exams for the B1 level
- Preparing for the file the certificate accepted by the Law or the Romanian-language education document
- Assessing the statutory exceptions for applicants who are former Romanian citizens and for persons who have reached the age of 65 on the date of application
Under a 2026 amendment, the transition period during which the language proficiency certificate may be submitted later, in Article 10 and 11 applications made after 15 March 2025, has been extended to two years. The date of the application and any special circumstance applicable to the applicant are checked separately in each file.
Preparing the Citizenship File
Once the line of descent has been established, the personal and civil status documents of the applicant and the family members concerned, together with the records relating to the former Romanian citizen, are prepared with the file kept as a coherent whole.
The apostille or, where necessary, super-legalization requirement for documents issued by foreign authorities, and their validity periods, are checked separately under Romanian legislation. In civil status documents, current official records are important for the applicant and the persons in the line of descent.
Submitting the Application and Biometrics
Applications for citizenship under Articles 10 and 11 of the Romanian Citizenship Law may be made, depending on the circumstances, in Romania through the ANC or, depending on the applicant’s legal residence abroad, through a Romanian diplomatic mission or consulate. As a rule, the application is submitted in person.
- Determining the application strategy and where the file will be filed with the local attorney in Romania
- Coordinating the application appointment and the travel plan
- Submitting the file to the ANC or the relevant consulate
- Planning the current procedures for taking biometric data
- Following additional document requests and correspondence on the file
As of 1 September 2024, the taking of biometric data such as a facial image and fingerprints is provided for in citizenship applications; the relevant biometric rules also apply to children aged 14 and over who are included in the file.
Oath and Post-Citizenship Procedures
The acceptance of the citizenship application does not always mean that the process is complete. Depending on the nature of the decision, the oath and citizenship certificate procedures, and subsequently the creation or updating of Romanian civil status records, may be required.
What We Do for You
Preliminary Review of Eligibility and Citizenship Status
The family history, the status of the former citizen, the degree of descent and the statutory route that may apply are assessed together.
Preparing Records from Türkiye
Ascending and descending line, population, migration, birth, marriage, death and name-equivalence documents are obtained and the chain of the file is established.
Romanian Archive and Record Research
The research of citizenship, population and archive records in Romania through local attorneys/professionals is coordinated.
Language Process
The applicability of the B1 Romanian requirement is assessed; where necessary, the course/exam and certificate process is planned.
Citizenship File and Application
The file is prepared together with the authorized attorney in Romania; the ANC/consulate application process is coordinated.
Additional Documents and File Follow-Up
Additional document requests from the ANC or other authorities are reviewed and the necessary supplements are prepared.
Oath and Subsequent Procedures
After a positive decision, the oath, citizenship certificate, civil status registration and passport/identity card stages are coordinated.
How the Process Works
- 01
Review of Family History
The ancestor with a Romanian connection, the migration/citizenship history and the existing family documents are examined.
- 02
Line of Descent and Name-Equivalence File
The link between generations is established with ascending and descending line and civil status documents in Türkiye; name differences are explained.
- 03
Researching Romanian Records
The necessary Romanian citizenship, birth and archive records are obtained through local professionals.
- 04
Determining the Statutory Route and the Language Requirement
The framework of the application under Art. 10 or Art. 11 and the B1 language obligation/exception are clarified.
- 05
Preparing the Citizenship File
Personal, civil status, criminal record, language and descent documents are completed with apostille/translation procedures.
- 06
Application in Romania
The application is made in person through the ANC or the appropriate consular channel; biometrics and file procedures are followed.
- 07
Oath and Subsequent Records
After a positive decision, the oath, citizenship certificate, civil status and passport/identity card procedures are coordinated.
Coordination with Attorneys and Professionals in Romania
Canaydın Law Firm's Romanian citizenship service covers the preparation of family, population, migration and civil status documents in Türkiye, the legal eligibility and line-of-descent assessment, the planning of the application file, and coordination with the authorized attorney in Romania and other independent professionals.
Procedures that, under Romanian law, must be carried out only by an attorney authorized in Romania, an archive/population authority, an interpreter, a notary or other licensed professionals are carried out by the persons and institutions concerned. No guarantee is given that citizenship will definitely be acquired or that a result will be obtained within a specific period.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Do you provide services in the Greece, Bulgaria and Romania programs?
The new service structure includes the Greece Golden Visa, the Bulgaria D visa/residence permit for retirees, and Romanian citizenship programs. Files are handled in coordination with the authorized professionals in the country concerned.