Author
The procedure of civil registration is set out in Act 119/1996.[1]
Marriage and childbirth registration
With regard to marriage registration, the law provides the obligation for the future spouses to present identity documents, birth certificates, and medical certificates.[2] Beneficiaries of international protection have to present several documents, such as:
- Identity document, which in their case may be the travel document issued after granting a form of protection;[3]
- Birth certificate;
- Certificate/ evidence issued by diplomatic missions or consular offices;
- Declaration, authenticated by the notary, which proves that they fulfil the necessary conditions for getting married;
- Proof of divorce/ death certificate of the spouse as the case may be;
- Prenuptial medical certificate;
- Marriage convention.
In addition, foreign citizens who do not speak Romanian have to submit the marriage declaration in the presence of and through an authorised translator, which they have to pay for.
ASSOC/LADO reported that beneficiaries do not encounter any issues in case of civil registration.[4]
In 2024, several challenges were reported, particularly in Bucharest, in relation to population records services (Evidența Populației). Notably:
- In cases of childbirth registration, the lack of authorized translators for certain languages, combined with the costs of translation and notarization, remains a significant barrier.
- Many beneficiaries lack original documents, having lost or been unable to carry them due to forced displacement, war, or prolonged travel. Others arrive with documents written in their national language that require legalized translation—a service that NGOs do not always cover financially.
- There are also practical difficulties related to the quality of translations. Inaccurate or unprofessional translations have led to misunderstandings or even rejection of documents by the authorities, affecting registration outcomes.
These administrative and financial burdens continue to hinder the full exercise of civil rights for some beneficiaries of international protection, particularly when attempting to register marriages or the births of their children.[5]
Bank accounts
As mentioned in the past years, BIP in Romania face significant difficulties in opening bank accounts, particularly those from Syria, Iraq, Iran, and Afghanistan.[6] Many banks refuse to provide services to these nationals due to security concerns, despite the Romanian National Bank stating that banks have the discretion to open accounts. In several cities, including Galați, Giurgiu, and Rădăuți, banks commonly reject applicants unless they have an employment contract, making it challenging for unemployed beneficiaries to access financial services.[7] Even small banks that previously allowed account openings have become more restrictive, preventing some beneficiaries from renewing their residence permits. In Bucharest, additional requirements such as proof of stable income, a passport, and Romanian language proficiency create further obstacles, and there have been cases where accounts were suspended without explanation. While some beneficiaries with employment contracts do not face these barriers, the overall banking restrictions severely limit financial inclusion for many refugees in Romania.
In 2024, according to JRS Romania, the situation regarding access to bank accounts for beneficiaries of international protection remained challenging, particularly for individuals from Syria. Changes in the Syrian conflict and shifts in European policy have led to increased scrutiny of Syrian nationals. While Revolut was previously a convenient alternative, its transition into a regulated national bank now requires stricter documentation. Syrian applicants are often asked to provide a valid Syrian passport—a requirement many cannot meet due to expired documents or the impossibility of obtaining new ones. Even those holding Romanian travel documents for refugees or subsidiary protection are frequently rejected by the app. Traditional banks like Banca Transilvania, ING, and Revolut have adopted increasingly restrictive internal policies, making account access difficult for many foreigners. In contrast, banks such as Linker and UniCredit have shown greater flexibility and empathy toward migrants. Moreover, foreign nationals—including recognized refugees—also report difficulties when attempting to open business accounts, despite the account being linked to a legal entity rather than personal use.[8]
[1] Act 119/1996 on civil registration acts, available in Romanian here.
[2] Article 25(3) Act 119/1996.
[3] Local Council of Timișoara, Marriage Registration, available in Romanian here.
[4] Information provided by LADO/ASSOC, 20 February 2023.
[5] Information provided by JRS Romania, January 2025.
[6] Practice observed by JRS Romania, April 2024. Information provided by IOM Romania, 19 February 2022. Information provided by AIDRom, 14 January 2022.
[7] Practice observed by JRS Romania, April 2024.
[8] Information provided by JRS Romania, February 2025.