How to Obtain Romanian Citizenship Through Descent
If you have Romanian ancestry, you may be eligible for Romanian citizenship. Romania allows citizenship by descent, meaning that if one or both of your parents, grandparents, or great-grandparents were Romanian citizens, you may be able to claim citizenship as well.
Obtaining Romanian citizenship can be a complicated process, but it is possible if you have the right documentation and meet the eligibility criteria. In this article, we’ll walk you through the steps involved in obtaining Romanian citizenship through descent.
Step 1: Gather Your Documentation
To begin the process of obtaining Romanian citizenship, you’ll need to gather all necessary documentation proving your Romanian ancestry. This includes birth, marriage, and death certificates for all relevant members of your family. If any of these documents are missing, you may need to contact the relevant Romanian authorities to obtain them.
Additionally, you’ll need to obtain a copy of your own birth certificate, as well as a copy of your passport or national ID card.
Step 2: Check Your Eligibility
Once you have gathered all necessary documentation, the next step is to check your eligibility for Romanian citizenship. To do this, you’ll need to determine whether you have a direct ancestral connection to a Romanian citizen.
In general, eligibility for Romanian citizenship by descent is limited to individuals who can prove that at least one parent, grandparent, or great-grandparent was a Romanian citizen at the time of their birth. Additionally, the Romanian parent or grandparent does not need to have been born in Romania, but they must have been a Romanian citizen at the time of their own birth.
Step 3: Begin the Application Process
If you meet the eligibility criteria, you can begin the application process for Romanian citizenship. This involves submitting your documentation to the Romanian embassy or consulate in your country of residence.
As part of the application process, you may also be required to provide a police clearance certificate, which proves that you have no criminal record. You may also be asked to take a Romanian language test.
Step 4: Follow Up on Your Application
After submitting your application, it may take several months for the Romanian authorities to process your request. During this time, you should follow up on your application regularly to ensure that it is progressing smoothly.
If there are any issues with your application, such as missing or incomplete documentation, you will be notified by the Romanian embassy or consulate and given the opportunity to remedy the situation.
Step 5: Take Oath of Allegiance
Once your application has been approved, you will need to take an oath of allegiance to Romania. This can be done at the Romanian embassy or consulate in your country of residence.
After taking the oath of allegiance, you will officially become a Romanian citizen and will be issued a Romanian passport.
FAQs
1. How long does the process of obtaining Romanian citizenship through descent take?
The process of obtaining Romanian citizenship through descent can take several months or even up to a year, depending on the complexity of your application and the backlog of applications being processed. It’s important to follow up on your application regularly to ensure that it is progressing smoothly.
2. Do I need to speak Romanian to obtain Romanian citizenship?
While there is no official language requirement for obtaining Romanian citizenship through descent, you may be asked to take a Romanian language test as part of the application process. This is generally not a difficult test, and you can prepare for it by studying Romanian language resources online.
3. Can I apply for Romanian citizenship if my ancestors were Romanian but I was born outside of Romania?
Yes, you can apply for Romanian citizenship if your ancestors were Romanian but you were born outside of Romania. The important thing is that at least one of your parents, grandparents, or great-grandparents was a Romanian citizen at the time of their birth.
4. Can I keep my original nationality if I obtain Romanian citizenship?
Yes, Romania allows dual citizenship, meaning that you can maintain your original nationality while also becoming a Romanian citizen. However, you should check with the authorities in your home country to ensure that dual citizenship is allowed under their laws.