The difficulties of marriage registration in Romania and why couples choose Georgia

Romania is a country with rich traditions and magnificent castles that seem like the perfect setting for a wedding. However, behind this beautiful facade lies one of the most conservative and bureaucratic civil registration systems in the European Union. If you are planning to get married here, be prepared for multiple visits to government offices, strict medical examinations, and long waits.

In this article, you will learn how to get married in Romania. You will understand why registering a marriage for mixed couples and foreigners in this country turns into a legal ordeal. You will also see why a quick wedding in Georgia is the main trend for couples who value their time and peace of mind.

In this country, there is no such thing as a “wedding in one day“. The process begins with submitting an application to the local civil registry office (Starea Civilă). According to the law, the ceremony can only take place 10-11 days after this. This period is given for a “public announcement” of the intention to marry so that anyone can declare legal impediments.

The main difficulties of the Romanian system lie in collecting documents. A mandatory requirement is medical certificates. Both partners are obliged to undergo an examination by a local doctor and obtain a health certificate (Certificat medical privind starea sănătății). The certificate is valid for only 14 days, so it must be issued strictly before submitting the application.

The legislation does not provide for online submission of papers. The couple must personally appear at the registry office of the municipality where at least one of the partners has official registration. If one of the newlyweds does not speak Romanian, the law obliges them to hire an authorized translator to be present at the ceremony.

Marriage between Romanian citizens: required certificates and waiting times

Even newlyweds who have citizenship of the country cannot go through the registration procedure as a simple formality. Documents for marriage in Romania are not only identity cards and birth certificates. If one of the partners was previously married, a paper confirming the official termination of the previous civil status is submitted.

It is also necessary to provide the results of tests for HIV and sexually transmitted diseases (a mandatory part of the medical certificate). The future spouses fill out the declaration of marriage on the spot. Waiting for an available date in large cities like Bucharest or Cluj-Napoca can stretch for several weeks beyond the mandatory 10-day period.

Marriage in Romania for mixed couples (citizen and foreigner)

This path is quite difficult. When a Romanian citizen decides to tie the knot with a foreigner, the registry office requires an extended package of documents. It is necessary to obtain a certificate of capacity to marry in the home country. Many CIS countries do not issue such certificates, which forces couples to apply to consulates or courts.

The birth certificate is submitted with an apostille and a translation into Romanian. It is also necessary to prove the legality of the stateless person’s stay in the country (visa or residence permit). Document verification can take additional time, and translation requirements in each individual county (județ) may differ, creating confusion.

Wedding of two foreigners in Romania: legalization and translation of documents

In accordance with Romanian family law, tourists cannot get married. A wedding in Romania for foreigners is possible only if at least one of the newlyweds has a residence permit or resident status. In addition, the authorities often require a certificate from the immigration office (IGI) confirming the absence of suspicion of a sham marriage. All foreign documents must go through a double round of legalization and translation by sworn translators.

Marriage in Georgia for foreigners as a fast and legal solution

An alternative to the Romanian registry office exists. Marriage registration in Georgia is distinguished by its simplicity, convenience, and speed. Foreigners from all over the world can get married here.

Why foreign couples choose Georgia:

• registration in one day is available — you can arrive in the morning and fly away in the evening already as husband and wife;
• minimum of documents — only passports and (if applicable) a divorce certificate, no medical certificates or statements of marital status;
• no requirements for a residence permit, citizenship, or residency — tourists from anywhere in the world can get married;
• visa-free entry for most countries — only international passports and insurance policies are needed;
• international recognition — a Georgian marriage is absolutely legal and recognized in Romania and the entire EU after a standard apostille procedure.

To visually assess the marriage possibilities in both countries, look at the table we have compiled for you.

A Georgian wedding is romantic and very simple from a legal perspective. The specialists of the Lotus Wedding agency will take care of the translation and notarization of your documents. We will accompany you at all stages of your wedding day. We will help with the choice of the Public Service Hall, the Wedding Palace, or a picturesque location for the ceremony, and we will provide witnesses. After registration, you will receive a certificate already with an apostille and an authorized translation into Romanian or English. Upon returning to Romania, you will only have to register it in the local registry. This is a standard procedure that takes much less time than trying to get married inside the country itself.

Do you want to avoid Romanian bureaucracy? Marriage registration in Georgia is a legal life hack for those who want to focus on love, not on collecting medical certificates. Contact our manager right now, and we will organize your perfect turnkey wedding in just one day!