All the necessary information you need to know about civil marriage is right here!
Together with our clients, who have already gone through this stage, as well as the staff of the registry office in Iasi, we have realized a complete list of documents required for civil marriage (updated in 2026 and valid for all Romanian counties), When we schedule it, how much it costs, how long it lasts, what it's for, and a lot of other golden information you'll want to know before you start organizing your event!
Without further introduction, we have cumulated the following information for you:
Necessary Documents For Civil Marriage
PLEASE NOTE: The documents required for the civil marriage and the marriage declaration must be submitted at the registry office exactly 11 calendar days before the marriage ceremony, which includes both the day on which the declaration was made and the day on which the marriage is officiated.
EXAMPLE: if you want to get married on SATURDAY - July 18, 2026 the application must be submitted on WEDNESDAY - July 8, 2026.
Marriage between Romanian citizens
- Valid identity documents of both spouses (copy and original), with the stipulation that one of the bride and groom must be domiciled or reside in the municipality of the marriage;
- Birth certificates of the bride and groom-to-be (copy and original);
- Prenuptial certificate with the mention "fit for marriage" (valid 14 days), issued by the family doctor or any private medical clinic, following blood tests and chest X-ray. The tests are not required when filing the civil marriage papers;
- Marriage declaration, form to be completed and signed at the time of filing the documents for the civil marriage;
- Valid identity documents of 2 witnesses required in original on the day of the event.
When one or both spouses are NOT in their first marriage
In addition to the documents listed above, proof of the dissolution/termination of the previous marriage shall be provided, as the case may be, respectively:
- Death certificate of spouse (original) and marriage certificate (copy);
- Final divorce judgment “irrevocable” (copy and original);
- Birth or marriage certificate, with mention of the dissolution of the marriage (copy and original);
- Divorce certificate in the case of an administrative divorce (copy and original).
Marriage between a Romanian and a foreign national
Romanian citizen will present the documents mentioned under «Marriage between Romanian citizens»
IMPORTANT: Romanian citizens residing in Romania can only legitimize themselves with an identity card, a provisional identity card or a national identity card.
For any clarification when you are planning to marry a foreign national, we recommend that you ask for information in person at the registry office.
FOREIGN CITIZEN PAPERS
Prenuptial certificate with the mention "fit for marriage" (valid 14 days), issued by the family doctor or any private medical clinic, following blood tests and pulmonary ultrasound, which are not required for the civil marriage;
Passport (copy and original) - in which the entry visa for Romania must be affixed; - or identity card (copy and original) in case of citizens of EU Member States;
* The identity document of the foreign citizen and the visa granted to him/her for the purpose of stay in Romania must be valid both on the date on which the marriage form is submitted and on the date of the marriage ceremony.
Birth certificate, (original and photocopy) and where applicable: apostilled with the Apostille of the Hague Convention or supralegalized depending on the issuing state; The birth certificate will be translated and legalized at a notary office in Romania.
Proof issued / authenticated by diplomatic missions / consular offices accredited in Romania showing that the foreign citizen meets the substantive requirements of his or her national law and there are no impediments to the conclusion of the marriage in Romania.
For nationals of states with which Romania has concluded treaties, conventions or agreements on legal assistance in civil or family law matters, they will present documents issued by the competent authorities of the state of nationality, recently dated - maximum 3 months after issue;
- It will also attach legalized Romanian translation the aforementioned proof/certificate from a notary in Romania;
A document proving residence abroad of the citizen or a sworn statement made at a notary's office in Romania regarding the domicile in the country of origin;
Affidavit certified by a notary public concerning full domicile in the country of origin, whether he/she is proficient in written/read Romanian, marital status prior to marriage, fulfillment of the substantive conditions required by his/her national law for the conclusion of a marriage in Romania, and the chosen matrimonial regime;
- As appropriate, proof of the dissolution of previous marriages by divorce decrees or death certificates accompanied by marriage certificates, apostilled or supralegalized depending on the country (see the poster on the Apostille of the Hague Convention), translated and legalized by a notary office on the territory of Romania;
IMPORTANT: In the case of foreign citizens who do not know Romanian, an authorized interpreter (translator) must be present at the conclusion of the marriage.
Source: dlep-iasi.ro
When do we schedule the civil wedding?
Scheduling your civil wedding can be done online, even more than 90 days before the day of the event, in big cities such as Bucharest, Iasi, Cluj, Brasov, Timisoara, etc.
For other counties and municipalities in Romania scheduling can be done online or in person only, up to 2-4 weeks before the day of the event, provided that the necessary documents are submitted 11 days before the marriage ceremony.
IMPORTANT: This should be clarified at the registry office, by phone or by e-mail, as the information may differ depending on the area.
Civil Marriage in the Open Air
Is outdoor civil weddings possible in 2026?
YES and NO! I know it's not the answer you're looking for, but it very much depends on the city or town where the event will take place.
In Iași, For example, thanks to the new digitalized system, the marriage ceremony can take place only at the Civil Registry Office, based on electronic signature.
Is that a problem? Not at all! If you really want a civil wedding in a different way, closer to nature, at a restaurant or in another location that suits you, we recommend the following:
- Go through the steps to get officially married days or weeks in advance and keep this between you.
- On the day of the event, you can hire an actor, a former registrar or, even nicer, you can prepare a personalized text 3-4 minutes for your dad or best friend to read in front of all the guests.
It's intimate with a personal touch and just what you need!
Times change, and so should we. Add something new your event! You can include a joke or a memory from everyone's childhood. Do things your own way!
In my county is it possible to officiate outdoors?
To find out if an outdoor civil wedding is possible in your county, the safest way is to get in touch by phone with your local registry office or make a personal visit. This way, you will receive accurate and up-to-date information about the necessary procedures and conditions.
You can also ask about during your visit or conversation:
- Documents needed for the official approach;
- Fees or associated costs;
- Location options available (if you can choose an outdoor or other unconventional space).
Don't forget to mention if you have a specific location in mind, as some authorities may have rules or restrictions depending on where you choose to go.
My advice is to be well-prepared and write down all your questions before contacting the Registry Office. This will save you time and give you a full picture of the process.
NOTE: Officiating marriage is not allowed on private property!
IMPORTANT: If we want to perform the civil marriage in the county “Iași” for example, one of the spouses must have their domicile or residence in the municipality of the marriage ceremony, and the chosen location must be within the county's coverage radius.
If you belong to a commune of the county, the documents together with the application must be submitted to the town hall of the county municipality, the marriage ceremony being also within the coverage of the municipality.
NOTE: Civil marriage can be performed in any county or commune in Romania, by one of the spouses moving out of his or her place of residence, following a family member or relative moving in.
How long does it take to perform a civil ceremony?
On average, civil marriage ceremonies takes no more than 5 minutes from the moment it begins until the marriage certificate is signed and handed over.
As appropriate, time can be allocated as follows:
Same day - until 30 or 40 minutes are sufficient after the time at which the civil wedding is scheduled, with time for congratulations, photos with family and friends, a snack or free time in the wedding program.
Another day - you will generally spend at least one hour with your loved ones at your scheduled time or even more if you're planning an outdoor civil wedding with a meal immediately following the event or perhaps you have an appointment at a favorite restaurant.
You can read more about how to make a wedding program in less than 5 minutes.
What is served at the Civil Wedding?
If the civil ceremony is on the same day as the wedding - After the wedding ceremony, the guests will congratulate you, offer flowers, take photos with you, socialize with each other, and in the meantime they are invited to serve the following refreshments:
- Savory patties with cheese, mushrooms and spinach
- Trays with mini sandwiches or fruit
- Homemade or bought pies / cakes
- Champagne, natural juice, still and mineral water
- Ice cream or refreshing lemonade (optional)
If the civil ceremony is on a different day “from the wedding day” - there are lots of options and you should choose any of the following examples that resonate with you and your guests:
● For outdoor civil weddings, you can opt to dine at the location of your choice;
● If you're having the civil ceremony at the registry office, you can book a restaurant where you and your guests can have hors d'oeuvres, a main course, maybe even dessert;
● At home or on a picnic with loved ones in a more unconventional way.
NOTES: When we organize the civil wedding on another day, more than 1-2 months apart If you're planning an event, it's a good idea to invite your guests to join you for a meal at a restaurant.
If you have your civil wedding the same week or a few days before the event, you don't feel obliged to dine out unless you want to and the extra expense is not an impediment.
Communicate transparently and while expressing your gratitude, make it clear that you are looking forward to spending the wedding day together, eating, getting drunk and having the time of your lives. No one has the expectation of being invited to a restaurant on your wedding week, least of all those close to you.
How Much Does a Civil Wedding Cost?
No more than 250 lei, regardless of county, taking into account only the necessary documents and tests, but also the fee for the civil marriage appointment.
There may be additional costs for the following, as appropriate:
● Hiring a venue and floral arrangements for the outdoor civil wedding;
● A different outfit than normal (wedding dress and suit);
● Make-up and Hairdressing (if performed on another day);
● Snacks, champagne and other drinks for guests;
● Reservation at the restaurant with the family and those present (for the wedding on another day).
Another outfit for the civil wedding?
A new trend is gaining momentum in the organization of civil weddings. More and more brides and grooms are opting for a different outfit, especially if the civil ceremony is on a different day, but even when it's on the wedding day.
A casual outfit, next to a dress with a bare back or shoulders, with or without lace, a color on trend with the theme of the event, with a flower crown or tiara and many other ideas you are already thinking about and visualizing.
With a well-defined wedding program, you have the possibility to wear other outfits than your wedding dress and suit, without messing up the program. However, this does mean that your wedding will start with the civil ceremony and then change when the bride and groom get ready.
There is no wrong choice! Get creative and impress your loved ones in your own way.
Civil ceremony on a different day from the wedding day?
There are indeed additional costs, higher or lower, depending on what you want to organize, but the effort is worth it.
The wedding day schedule will be significantly lighter, without having to wake up in the middle of the night to go to the make-up and hairdresser, thus saving at least an hour and a half or two on the wedding day, taking into account the necessary travel and the duration of the moment itself.
IMPORTANT: Be sure that the photo and video team is free on the chosen day. Usually, the bride and groom want to have the civil wedding on a different day, on a weekend day, and it would be advisable to clarify these aspects before scheduling the wedding.
SFAT: Brides opt for make-up and trial hairstyle, on the day of the civil wedding, as this is more affordable, but more importantly they can get a clear idea of how the chosen team works.
It is bridal bouquet essential for the civil marriage the other day? So far, I have never seen a bride without a bouquet at her wedding, so the answer is YES.
Conclusion
Schedule your civil wedding early on the date and time of your choice, online on the website of the town hall in the county where you wish to have the marriage ceremony or by personal presentation.
Submit the necessary documents exactly 11 days before the day of the wedding: e.g. if you want to get married on SATURDAY - July 18, 2026, the file must be submitted on WEDNESDAY - July 8, 2026.
Invite family and close friends only, whether the civil wedding is on the same day or on the wedding day. Up to 20-30 people should be enough.
Allocate enough time in the wedding schedule, especially if you're having your civil wedding on the same day, nothing is more unpleasant than running from one place to another, turning your own event into a 24-hour marathon.
Now that the paperwork required for civil weddings is no longer a mystery, you can learn what they are +20 most common wedding mistakes and how to avoid them!
