Regaining Romanian Citizenship: Applicable Cases and Conditions

Regaining Romanian citizenship is regulated by law, considering various situations of individuals who wish to reacquire this right. According to Articles 10 and 11 of the Romanian Citizenship Law, there are several categories of people who can request the reacquisition of citizenship, as well as the necessary conditions to benefit from this process.

Categories of People Who Can Regain Romanian Citizenship

1. Individuals Who Have Lost Romanian Citizenship:
   • Romanian citizenship can be regained by individuals who have lost it, as well as by their descendants up to the second degree inclusive. They can request the reacquisition of Romanian citizenship while retaining their foreign citizenship.
2. Stateless Individuals Who Were Former Romanian Citizens:
   • The same regulations apply to them, allowing them to regain Romanian citizenship under the conditions stipulated by law.
3. Spouses of Foreign Citizens or Stateless Persons:
   • The spouse who regains Romanian citizenship does not affect the citizenship of the other spouse, who can also apply for Romanian citizenship.

Conditions for Regaining Citizenship

To obtain the reacquisition of Romanian citizenship, interested individuals must meet certain conditions stipulated in Article 8 of the law. These include, among others, proof of ties to Romania and good moral character.

Special Cases for Minors

In the case of children under the age of 18, the request for the reacquisition of Romanian citizenship must be submitted together with the request of the parents. If only one parent requests reacquisition, the consent of the other parent is necessary, as well as that of the child who has turned 14.

If the minor did not acquire Romanian citizenship along with the parents, the request for Romanian citizenship for that child can be submitted later. The resolution of the request will be made by an order of the President of the National Authority for Citizenship.

If the parents cannot reach an agreement regarding the child's citizenship, the court in the minor's place of residence will decide, considering the child's best interests.

Required documents

To request the reacquisition of Romanian citizenship, the following documents must be presented:

• Proof of payment for the citizenship card (90.00 lei).
• A handwritten application form for Romanian citizenship.
• A declaration of consent for the processing of personal data.
• Passport (original and copy).
• Criminal record from abroad, apostilled/superlegalized.
• Civil status documents (birth certificate, marriage certificate, etc.) for the applicant and, if applicable, for ancestors.
• Parental consent for the acquisition of citizenship by minor children.
• Written proof of the loss of Romanian citizenship (certificate or other relevant documents).
• Proof of residence in Romania for those requesting reacquisition of citizenship with the establishment of residence in Romania.

The reacquisition of Romanian citizenship is a legally regulated process aimed at both individuals who have lost this right and their descendants. The conditions for reacquisition are well-established, and special cases for minors clarify how they can benefit from citizenship depending on their parents' situation.

It is advisable to consult a lawyer specialized in citizenship law to ensure that your documentation is complete and accurate. A lawyer can assist you at every stage of the process, helping you avoid potential delays or legal issues.