Ordering Romanian documents from Australia or New Zealand is usually straightforward when the record already exists in Romania. It becomes more complex when a birth, marriage, divorce, death or name change happened overseas and has not yet been recorded in the Romanian civil status system.

This guide is written for people in Australia and New Zealand who need Romanian documents for citizenship, passport applications, civil-status updates, inheritance, property matters, pensions, migration files, court matters or powers of attorney.

It explains the main Romanian document types, which authority to contact, when transcription may be required, and how apostilles and translations usually fit into the process.

Quick reference: common Romanian document names

Most Romanian document matters start with one question:

Has the birth, marriage, death, divorce or name change already been recorded in Romania?

If the event is already registered in Romania, you may be able to request a duplicate certificate, multilingual extract or other civil-status document through eConsulat, a Romanian consulate, a Romanian civil status office, or an authorised person in Romania.

If the event happened in Australia or New Zealand and has not yet been recorded in Romania, you may need to complete transcription first. In Romanian, this is called transcrierea actului de stare civilă.

For example, an Australian birth certificate proves the birth was registered in Australia. It does not automatically create a Romanian birth certificate or CNP. A Romanian certificat de naștere is usually issued only after the birth is recorded in the Romanian civil status system.

Important notice

This article is general information only. Romanian requirements can change, and the correct pathway depends on citizenship status, older records, spelling differences, previous marriages, divorce, adoption, name changes, CNP issues and the purpose of the document.

Before paying for apostilles, translations, courier services or legal advice, check the current requirements with the Romanian authority, consulate, lawyer, notary or receiving organisation handling your matter.

1. Main Romanian authorities and systems

Romanian consular authorities

For people in Australia and New Zealand, Romanian consular authorities are often the starting point for overseas document matters.

They may assist with:

• Romanian passport applications
• civil-status registration and transcription
• requests for Romanian birth, marriage and death documents
• notarial documents, including procuri
• citizenship-related applications or guidance
• emergency travel documents

In Australia, the Romanian consular network includes the Embassy of Romania in Canberra, the Consulate-General of Romania in Sydney, and the Romanian consular office in Melbourne, plus honorary consular offices in some states. New Zealand applicants should check the Romanian Embassy in Canberra, the Romanian honorary consular contact in Auckland, and eConsulat for the current pathway.

eConsulat

eConsulat is Romania’s online consular platform. Applicants generally create an account, choose the service, upload information and supporting documents, then wait for validation before attending an appointment where personal attendance is required.

This is especially relevant for passports, civil-status transcription, notarial deeds and document requests. Some services can start online but still require an appointment because identity, signatures or original documents must be checked.

Also read >>> How to order Romanian documents

Romanian civil status offices

Romanian birth, marriage and death records are handled through the civil status system, known as stare civilă.

Useful Romanian terms include:

If the event happened in Romania, the record is usually connected to the local authority where it was registered. If the event happened overseas, it may need to be transcribed into Romanian civil status registers before a Romanian certificate can be issued.

Romanian passport authority

Romanian passports are handled by the Ministry of Internal Affairs through the passport authority, Direcția Generală de Pașapoarte. Romanian citizens overseas generally lodge passport applications through Romanian diplomatic missions or consular offices.

Passport applications often depend on whether the person already has the correct Romanian civil-status records and a CNP. For children born in Australia or New Zealand, birth transcription may be needed before a Romanian passport can be issued.

National Authority for Citizenship

Romanian citizenship matters are handled by the Autoritatea Națională pentru Cetățenie, often shortened to ANC.

For Romanian Australians and Romanian New Zealanders, citizenship matters may involve:

• redobândirea cetățeniei române — reacquisition of Romanian citizenship
• dobândirea cetățeniei române — acquisition of Romanian citizenship
• clarificarea cetățeniei române — clarification of Romanian citizenship status
• certificat de cetățenie română — Romanian citizenship certificate

Suggested source links to include before publishing

• eConsulat official platform
• Embassy of Romania in Canberra
• Consulate-General of Romania in Sydney
• Romanian consular office in Melbourne
• Direcția Generală de Pașapoarte
• Autoritatea Națională pentru Cetățenie
• DFAT apostilles and authentications
• New Zealand Government document authentication service
• HCCH Apostille Convention status table

2. Quick decision guide

3. How to order Romanian birth documents from Australia or New Zealand

Romanian birth documents are commonly needed for passports, citizenship, marriage, inheritance, education, migration, pension matters, property transactions and family-record updates.

If the birth is already registered in Romania

If the person was born in Romania, or an overseas birth has already been transcribed, a duplicate Romanian birth certificate may be requested.

Depending on the case, this may be done through:

• eConsulat
• the Romanian consulate
• the local Romanian civil status office
• an authorised representative in Romania using a procură specială

Before applying, confirm whether the receiving authority needs a certificat de naștere, a duplicat certificat de naștere or an extras multilingv de pe actul de naștere. They are related, but they are not always interchangeable.

If the birth happened in Australia or New Zealand

If a child was born in Australia or New Zealand to a Romanian citizen parent, the local birth certificate may need to be transcribed into Romanian civil status registers. This process is called transcrierea certificatului de naștere.

Transcription usually allows the child to receive a Romanian birth certificate and, where eligible, a CNP. This is often required before applying for a Romanian passport for the child.

Documents commonly requested may include:

• Australian or New Zealand full birth certificate
• apostille or authentication, where required
• Romanian translation, including any apostille text if required
• parents’ Romanian passports or identity cards
• parents’ Romanian birth and marriage certificates, where relevant
• proof of name change, divorce or previous marriage, if relevant
• completed consular forms and declarations
• confirmation that the transcription has not already been requested

Name spelling and Romanian diacritics

Romanian records may include diacritics such as ă, â, î, ș and ț. Australian and New Zealand certificates often omit them. A translation should preserve the source document while also being consistent with existing Romanian records.

Small spelling differences can affect passport, citizenship, inheritance and property matters. Compare names, dates and parent details before lodging the file.

4. How to order Romanian marriage documents from Australia or New Zealand

Romanian marriage documents are often needed for passports, citizenship, divorce, inheritance, property, pension matters, migration files and family-record updates.

If the marriage is already registered in Romania

If the marriage has already been recorded in Romania, you may be able to request a duplicate marriage certificate or multilingual extract through eConsulat, a Romanian consular office, a Romanian civil status office, or an authorised person in Romania.

Check the exact document wording required before ordering. Some authorities need a certificat de căsătorie, while others may accept an extras multilingv de pe actul de căsătorie.

If the marriage happened in Australia or New Zealand

If a Romanian citizen married in Australia or New Zealand and the marriage has not been registered in Romania, the marriage may need to be transcribed as transcrierea certificatului de căsătorie.

Documents commonly requested may include:

• official Australian or New Zealand marriage certificate
• apostille or authentication, where required
• Romanian translation
• Romanian identity documents
• birth certificates of the spouses
• previous divorce certificates or court orders, where relevant
• previous spouse’s death certificate, where relevant
• completed consular forms and declarations

If either spouse was previously married, Romanian authorities may need proof that the earlier marriage ended before the new marriage can be recorded. This can involve a divorce judgment, death certificate or administrative divorce document.

Marriage, name changes and record consistency

Marriage often creates differences between Australian, New Zealand and Romanian records. A person may have a maiden name on a Romanian birth certificate, a married name in an Australian passport, and a slightly different spelling in older family records.

Before ordering translations or lodging a file, compare:

• maiden name and married name
• Romanian diacritics and local spelling
• parents’ names
• birthplace and date of birth
• previous marriage, divorce or death details

Name inconsistencies can delay passport, citizenship, property and inheritance matters.

5. How to order Romanian death documents from Australia or New Zealand

Romanian death documents may be needed for estate administration, inheritance, bank matters, pension matters, property transfers, court files and updating Romanian family records.

If the death is already registered in Romania

If the death has already been recorded in Romania, a duplicate death certificate or multilingual extract may be requested through the Romanian civil status system, the consulate, or an authorised representative in Romania.

If the death happened in Australia or New Zealand

If a Romanian citizen died in Australia or New Zealand and the death has not been recorded in Romania, the family may need to apply for transcrierea certificatului de deces.

Documents commonly requested may include:

• official Australian or New Zealand death certificate
• apostille or authentication, where required
• Romanian translation
• deceased person’s Romanian passport or identity card, if available
• applicant’s identity document
• proof of relationship, where required
• completed forms and declarations

Death registration can be especially important where the deceased owned property in Romania, had a Romanian pension, held a Romanian bank account, or left heirs who need to open a succesiune or inheritance file.

Death documents and inheritance

A death certificate alone may not be enough for inheritance in Romania. A Romanian notary or lawyer may ask for documents proving family relationship and entitlement.

These may include:

• certificat de deces
• certificat de naștere
• certificat de căsătorie
• proof of relationship
• certificat de moștenitor
• property documents
• tax records
• a procură authorising someone in Romania to act

If heirs live in Australia or New Zealand, a carefully drafted procură may allow a lawyer or family member in Romania to handle the matter without the heir travelling.

6. Civil status certificates and multilingual extracts

Romanian civil status documents are acte de stare civilă. The most common documents are:

A multilingual extract may be useful where the receiving country accepts it without a separate translation. However, Australian and New Zealand authorities may still ask for an English translation, apostille or certified copy, depending on the purpose.

For Romanian documents used overseas, confirm whether the receiving authority wants:

• an original certificate or duplicate certificate
• a multilingual extract
• a Romanian apostille
• a certified English translation
• a notarised copy

7. Romanian citizenship and related documents

Romanian citizenship matters can be complex, particularly for people applying by descent, reacquisition or clarification of status.

Citizenship by descent or reacquisition

Many people in Australia and New Zealand consider Romanian citizenship because of a Romanian parent, grandparent or earlier ancestor. In practice, the file usually depends on a clear chain of civil-status documents proving the family line.

A citizenship file may require:

• applicant’s birth certificate
• parents’ birth and marriage certificates
• grandparents’ birth and marriage certificates
• death certificates, where relevant
• divorce records, where relevant
• name-change documents
• proof of Romanian citizenship or former Romanian citizenship
• police certificates
• apostilles or authentications
• Romanian translations

Do not assume the same document list applies to every citizenship pathway. The requirements can differ depending on whether the matter is acquisition, reacquisition, clarification or another citizenship process.

Citizenship certificate and passport

Receiving or confirming Romanian citizenship does not automatically mean a person already has a Romanian passport. Passport applications are a separate process and usually require Romanian civil-status documents first, especially a Romanian birth certificate with a CNP.

If your birth, marriage or name change occurred in Australia or New Zealand, those events may need to be transcribed before the passport process can proceed.

8. How to apply for or renew a Romanian passport from Australia or New Zealand

A Romanian passport is a pașaport românesc. The standard biometric passport is usually called a pașaport simplu electronic.

Romanian citizens living abroad can generally apply through Romanian diplomatic missions or consular offices. The process usually starts through eConsulat and requires personal attendance for identity checks.

Documents commonly requested may include:

• current Romanian passport, if available
• Romanian identity card — carte de identitate, if available
• Romanian birth certificate — certificat de naștere
• Romanian marriage certificate — certificat de căsătorie, if applicable
• proof of divorce or name change, if applicable
• proof of Australian or New Zealand residence, where requested
• documents for children, including parental consent
• appointment confirmation through eConsulat

A Romanian citizen applying for an electronic passport generally needs a CNP recorded in Romanian civil-status or identity documents.

Passport applications for children

For children born in Australia or New Zealand, the birth may need to be transcribed into Romanian civil-status records before a passport application can proceed.

Parents should check whether they need:

• transcrierea certificatului de naștere
• the child’s Romanian birth certificate
• parental consent declarations
• parents’ Romanian identity documents
• Australian or New Zealand birth certificate with apostille and Romanian translation

9. How to arrange a Romanian power of attorney from Australia or New Zealand

A Romanian power of attorney is called a procură. It authorises someone in Romania to act on your behalf.

A procură is commonly used for:

• collecting Romanian documents
• property matters
• inheritance matters
• bank matters
• court or lawyer representation
• passport or identity-card related assistance
• civil-status applications
• tax matters
• selling or buying property
• dealing with a Romanian notary

Signing through a Romanian consulate

A Romanian consulate can authenticate notarial deeds, including powers of attorney, declarations and related documents. eConsulat is commonly used to request notarial services and book the appointment.

A procură should be drafted carefully. Romanian authorities may reject a general or vague power of attorney if it does not include the specific authority required.

For example, a property-related procură may need to mention:

• property address
• land book details — carte funciară
• cadastral number — număr cadastral
• notary or lawyer details
• sale, purchase or representation powers
• banking or tax powers, if relevant

Using an Australian or New Zealand notary

Sometimes a person signs a power of attorney before a local notary public in Australia or New Zealand. If the document is to be used in Romania, it may need notarisation, apostille or authentication, Romanian translation and possible further certification.

Before using this pathway, ask the Romanian lawyer, notary or authority whether they will accept the document. For many Romanian matters, a consular procură is cleaner and more predictable.

10. Which Romanian consular authority should you contact?

Australia

The correct Romanian office depends on where you live and the type of service. Honorary consulates may provide limited services only. For passports, civil status, citizenship and notarial deeds, confirm whether the matter must be handled by the Embassy, Consulate-General or a career consular officer.

New Zealand

New Zealand applicants should check the Embassy of Romania in Canberra, the honorary consular contact in Auckland, and eConsulat. Confirm whether the service can be handled through Auckland, Canberra, a consular visit, eConsulat or another arrangement.

This is especially important for passports, citizenship, civil-status transcription and notarial deeds.

What to include in your first email or enquiry

To reduce delays, include:

• full name as shown on your passport
• Romanian name, if different
• date and place of birth
• CNP, if you have one
• parents’ full names
• current residential address
• the exact document you need, using the Romanian term
• the purpose of the document
• whether the event happened in Australia, New Zealand or Romania
• whether the event has already been registered in Romania
• scanned copies of any Romanian documents already held

Instead of writing “I need Romanian papers”, write:

I would like guidance on obtaining a duplicat certificat de naștere and confirming whether my Australian marriage needs transcrierea certificatului de căsătorie in Romania.

11. Apostilles, authentication and Romanian translations

Australian and New Zealand documents often need to be prepared before they can be used in Romania.

A typical order is:

1. Obtain the official Australian or New Zealand document.
2. Arrange apostille or authentication, where required.
3. Translate the document into Romanian, including the apostille if required.
4. Submit the complete document package to the Romanian authority.

Australian documents for Romania

Australian documents commonly used for Romanian matters include:

• full birth certificates
• full marriage certificates
• death certificates
• divorce orders
• name-change certificates
• adoption records
• police checks
• court documents
• notarial documents
• powers of attorney

DFAT is the relevant Australian authority for apostilles and authentications. Confirm whether the Romanian authority needs the original, a certified copy, an apostille, a translation or all of these.

New Zealand documents for Romania

New Zealand documents commonly used for Romanian matters include:

• birth certificates
• marriage certificates
• death certificates
• divorce records
• name-change certificates
• citizenship records
• court documents
• notarial documents

New Zealand’s document authentication process covers apostilles and authentications. Confirm the correct option before ordering, as the requirement depends on where and how the document will be used.

Romanian documents for Australia or New Zealand

If a Romanian document will be used in Australia or New Zealand, the receiving authority may ask for:

• original Romanian document
• apostille from Romania
• certified English translation
• notarised copy

Romanian administrative documents, including civil-status certificates, are generally apostilled in Romania by the prefecture connected to the issuing authority. Check the current process before sending originals.

Translation order matters

A common mistake is translating a document first and obtaining the apostille afterwards. If the apostille is added later, the apostille itself may remain untranslated.

For Romanian use, the safer order is usually:

official Australian or New Zealand certificate → apostille/authentication → Romanian translation → submission

For Australian or New Zealand use, the order may be:

Romanian certificate → Romanian apostille, if required → English translation → submission

12. Common mistakes to avoid

13. Frequently asked questions

Can I order Romanian documents online from Australia or New Zealand?

You can start many Romanian consular services online through eConsulat. Some services still require in-person attendance, especially passports, notarial deeds and identity-sensitive matters.

What is a certificat de naștere?

A certificat de naștere is a Romanian birth certificate. It may be issued after a birth in Romania or after an overseas birth has been transcribed into Romanian civil-status records.

What is transcrierea actului de stare civilă?

It means transcription of a foreign civil-status record into Romanian civil-status registers. It is commonly required for overseas births, marriages and deaths involving Romanian citizens.

Do I need to register an Australian or New Zealand marriage in Romania?

If one spouse is a Romanian citizen, the marriage may need to be transcribed into Romanian records as transcrierea certificatului de căsătorie. This helps ensure Romanian civil-status, passport and citizenship records are up to date.

Do I need an apostille for Australian or New Zealand documents used in Romania?

Often yes, but the requirement depends on the document and the Romanian authority receiving it. Confirm before ordering legalisation or translation services.

Is a NAATI translation accepted in Romania?

A NAATI-certified translation is commonly used for Australian purposes. For documents submitted to Romanian authorities, the receiving authority may require a Romanian-language translation in an accepted format.

Can I apply for a Romanian passport from Australia?

Yes. Romanian citizens in Australia can generally apply through the relevant Romanian consular authority, using eConsulat to start the process and book an appointment.

Can I apply for a Romanian passport from New Zealand?

New Zealand residents should check with the Romanian Embassy in Canberra, the honorary consular contact in Auckland and eConsulat. Some services may require attendance before a Romanian consular officer.

Can I arrange a Romanian power of attorney from Australia or New Zealand?

Yes. A Romanian procură can usually be arranged through Romanian consular notarial services. For property, inheritance, court or bank matters, have the wording prepared or checked by the Romanian lawyer or notary who will use it.

What documents are needed for Romanian citizenship by descent?

A file usually needs a chain of birth, marriage, death, divorce and name-change documents proving the family line, with apostilles and Romanian translations where required. The exact list depends on the citizenship pathway and family history.

How long does it take to order Romanian documents?

Timeframes vary. A duplicate certificate may be quicker if the record is clear and already registered in Romania. Transcription, citizenship clarification, passport issues, corrections and inheritance-related matters can take longer.

14. Step-by-step checklist

Before ordering Romanian documents from Australia or New Zealand, work through this checklist.

Step 1: Identify the exact Romanian document

Write down the Romanian term, such as certificat de naștere, certificat de căsătorie, certificat de deces, extras multilingv, transcrierea actului de stare civilă, certificat de cetățenie română, pașaport românesc or procură.

Step 2: Check whether the event is already registered in Romania

Ask whether the birth, marriage, divorce, death or name change is already in Romanian civil-status records.

Step 3: Confirm whether transcription is needed

If the event happened in Australia or New Zealand, ask whether transcriere is required before a Romanian certificate can be issued.

Step 4: Use eConsulat

Create or access your eConsulat account, select the service and upload the requested information.

Step 5: Confirm the correct consular office

For Australia, check whether your matter falls under Canberra, Sydney, Melbourne or another consular contact. For New Zealand, check with the Romanian Embassy in Canberra, the Auckland honorary consular contact or eConsulat.

Step 6: Confirm apostille and translation requirements

Ask whether you need an original certificate, apostille or authentication, Romanian translation, translation of the apostille, certified copy or consular appointment.

Step 7: Check names and dates

Compare all names, dates, places and parent details across Australian, New Zealand and Romanian records.

Step 8: Keep digital copies

Keep scans of certificates, apostilles, translations, consular receipts and email confirmations.

How Balkan Translations can help

Romanian document matters often involve more than a simple translation. A document may need to support a passport application, citizenship file, civil-status transcription, inheritance matter, court file, property transaction or consular appointment.

Balkan Translations can assist clients in Australia and New Zealand with Romanian and English translation needs, including civil certificates, apostilles, citizenship documents, powers of attorney, court documents, police checks and supporting paperwork.

Before ordering a translation, confirm the receiving authority’s requirements. Once you know whether the document is for Romania, Australia or New Zealand, you can choose the correct translation pathway and avoid unnecessary delays.