Marriage to a Romanian Citizen

Every country has its own laws that apply to its citizens marrying a person from a different country. Getting married to a Romanian citizen with the goal of eventually bringing them to Canada to live is a process with many steps.

If you want to bring your Romanian spouse or partner to live in Canada, you must then file a sponsorship application for them to become a permanent resident. If they would like to visit you in Canada while their application is in process, they must also apply for a visitor visa. For more information, please see our family sponsorship page and our visitor visa page.

 

Romanian Marriage Basic Requirements

The Government of Romania legally recognizes only civil marriage ceremonies that are performed in the City Hall or the Sector Office in the area where the Romanian citizen resides. Many couples also choose to hold a religious ceremony after the completion of the civil ceremony. The following documents are needed by the Vital Statistics Office of the Mayor’s Office to authorize marriage to a Romanian citizen:

1. ID document (ID card or passport)
2. Certified copy of the foreign birth certificate with a notarized translation in Romania (obtained from a Romanian notary) or, if the birth certificate is not available, a notarized statement given at a Romanian notary public summarizing the data in the foreigner’s passport and including the parents’ names (accepting such a statement in place of a birth certificate is at the discretion of the Romanian authorities).
3. Prenuptial Certificate (Health Certificate) for both the foreigner and the Romanian citizen, obtained from a clinic in the city where the marriage will take place. It is valid for 14 days from the date of issue and it is mandatory because it states whether the person can or cannot get married.
4. Certified copy of proof of the termination of any and all previous marriages, with a translation in Romanian (i.e. divorce/annulment decrees, death certificates).
5. Notarized statement (affidavit) that the foreigner citizen is free to marry, obtained at the foreigner’s Embassy in Romania.
6. Personal statement, authenticated by a notary public. This statement must show that the future husband, foreign citizen, fulfils all the conditions required by his national law with view to getting married in Romania; that particular state cannot be involved in a diplomatic or consular mission accredited in Romania.
7. Official report completed with the help of an authorized interpreter when a marriage between non speaking Romanian or deaf persons occurs.

Learn more.

It is mandatory that the foreign documents (except the passport) have the 1961 Hague Convention Apostille. Or, they can also be over-legalized in order to be recognized in Romania.

Marriage can be fulfilled at the expiry of the 10th day; both the day of marriage statement and the day of marriage celebration must be covered.

After the 10^th day, the marriage can take place only before the medical certificates expire.

 

Family Members

If your Romanian spouse has dependent children, this does not affect the Romanian Marriage document application.

If you have dependent children, they have no effect on the application to marry a Romanian citizen.

 

List of Romanian Consulates in Canada

Click here

Calling Romania from Canada

To make a direct call to Romania from Canada, you need to follow the international dialling format given below. The dialling format is the same when calling Romania mobile or land line from Canada.

011 – 40 – Area Code – local number

011 – Exit code for Canada, and is needed for making any international call from Canada

40 – ISD Code or Country Code of Romania

Area codes – There are over 40 area codes in Romania.

Alba	258	Caraş-Severin	255	Hunedoara	254	Sălaj	260
Arad	257	Călăraşi	242	Ialomiţa	243	Sibiu	269
Argeş	248	Cluj	264	Iaşi	232	Suceava	230
Bacău	234	Constanţa	241	Ilfov	21	Teleorman	247
Bihor	259	Covasna	267	Maramureş	262	Timiş	256
Bistriţa-Năsăud	263	Dâmboviţa	245	Mehedinţi	252	Tulcea	240
Botoşani	231	Dolj	251	Mureş	265	Vaslui	235
Braşov	268	Galaţi	236	Neamţ	233	Vâlcea	250
Brăila	239	Giurgiu	246	Olt	249	Vrancea	237
Bucureşti	21	Gorj	253	Prahova	244
Buzău	238	Harghita	266	Satu Mare	261

For cellular phones, the number always begins with a 7.

 

Calling Canada from Romania

To make a direct call to Canada from Romania, you need to follow the international dialling format given below. The dialling format is the same when calling Canada mobile or land line from Romania.

00 – 1 – Area Code – local number

Follow the dialling format shown above while calling Canada from Romania.

• 00 – Exit code for Romania, and is needed for making any international call from Romania

• 1 – ISD Code or Country Code of Canada

List of area codes in Canada

Province	Code	Province	Code
Alberta	403 / 587 (southern Alberta) 587 / 780 (central and northern Alberta)	Nunavut	867
BC	236 / 250 / 778 (majority of BC) 236 / 604 / 778 (Metro Vancouver)	Ontario	226 / 519 (southwestern Ontario) 249 / 705 (northeastern Ontario) 289 / 365 / 905 (Greater Toronto Area) 343 / 613 (eastern Ontario) 416 / 647 (Toronto) 807 (northwestern Ontario)
Manitoba	204 / 431	PEI	782 / 902
New  Brunswick	506	Quebec	418 / 581 (eastern Quebec) 438 / 514 (Montreal) 450 / 579 (Greater Montreal) 819 / 873 (remainder of Quebec)
Newfoundland and Labrador	709	Saskatchewan	306 / 639
Northwest Territories	867	Yukon	867
Nova Scotia	782 / 902

 

Time Difference

Romania is on Eastern European Time (GMT+2). Romania utilizes Daylight Saving Time however Europe’s DST occurs at a slightly different time of year meaning that in late March and late October the time difference is different than what is listed below. Saskatchewan does not observe DST so in the summer add an hour to the time difference.

Canadian Time Zone	# of Hours Romania is Ahead
Pacific (BC, Yukon)	10 hours
Mountain (Alberta, western Nunavut, Lloydminster, Saskatchewan)	9 hours
Central (Manitoba, Northwest Territories, central Nunavut, northwestern Ontario, Saskatchewan*)	8 hours
Eastern (most of Ontario, most of Quebec)	7 hours
Atlantic (Labrador, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, PEI, eastern Quebec)	6 hours
Newfoundland	5.5 hours

 

Emergency Information for Canadians in Romania

Embassy of Canada in Bucharest 1-3 Tuberozelor Street 011411 Bucharest, Sector 1 Romania Postal Address: P.O. Box 270, Post Office No. 2, Bucharest, Romania Telephone: (4) 021-307-5000 Fax: (4) 021-307-5010 Email: [email protected] Website: romania.gc.ca

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To contact Romanian authorities for assistance dial 112.

 

The Government of Canada’s Travel Alerts for Romania

For travel alerts, click here

Romanian Money

The leu is the currency of Romania. It is subdivided into 100 bani. The name of the currency means “lion”. On 1 July 2005, Romania underwent a currency reform, switching from the previous leu (ROL) to a new leu (RON). 1 RON is equal to 10,000 ROL.

Romania joined the European Union on 1 January 2007 and it is expected to adopt the euro in 2015.

 

Coins

In 1952, coins were introduced in denominations of 1, 3, 5, 10 and 25 bani, with the 1, 3 and 5 struck in aluminium bronze and the others in cupro-nickel. In 1955, cupro-nickel 50 bani were added.

In 1960, a new coinage was introduced, consisting of 15 and 25 bani, with 5 bani, 1 and 3 lei coins added in 1963. All were struck in nickel-clad steel. In 1975, aluminium replaced steel in the 5 and 15 bani, with the same change happening for the 25 bani in 1982. Aluminium 5 lei were introduced in 1978.

As inflation took its toll, 500, 1000 and 5000 lei coins were introduced in 1999, 2000 and 2001, respectively, and were the only coins circulating when the revaluation occurred. They were all criticized for being clumsy and difficult to use. The 500 lei coins were very thick (about 0.3 cm). The 1000 lei coin was considered too small and was also cheaply made, and the 5000 lei coin was not circular (it was a dodecagon. This made it awkward to handle and difficult to use in slot machines, where it was frequently the only coin accepted. The 500, 1000 and 5000 lei coins became worth 5, 10 and 50 bani with the revaluation.

In 2005, the following coins were introduced for circulation:

• 1 ban (rarely used)
• 5 bani
• 10 bani
• 50 bani

 

Banknotes

In 2005, polymer notes were introduced for 1, 5, 10, 50, 100 and 500 lei. 200 lei notes were added in 2006. The designs of the 1, 5, 10, 50 and 100 lei notes are based on those of the earlier 10,000, 50,000, 100,000, 500,000 and 1 million lei notes which they replaced. The 10 lei bill was redesigned in November 2008 (most of the graphic elements are identical, some of the safety elements were changed, making its safety features similar to the lower values of 1 leu and 5 lei notes).

 

Romanian Wedding Traditions

Romanian weddings are full of rituals that are performed with the aim of to bring about happiness, prosperity, and to integrate the newlyweds into their new social status as a married couple.  Costume has special significance and the rituals of the ceremony include a well-wishing at the bride’s gate, dowry dance in the bride’s yard, the parents forgiveness, the wedding at the groom’s house, the gifts, and the bride’s adorning.  Poetry, song, dance and ceremonial costumes all have a detailed role in the wedding ceremony in Romania.

 

Engagement
The first step towards a wedding in Romania is proposal where a trusted friend from the groom’s family goes to the bride’s house to propose to the girl.  After having asked three times for her hand, the answer is typically an affirmative one at which point the proposer and the girl’s parents talk about the bride’s dowry.  Once the amount of dowry to be paid is settled, they decide on the date of the ceremony.  After all these negotiations of dowry and marriage itself have been concluded, the closest friends of the groom go throughout the village, inviting friends and relatives to the wedding.

 

Wedding Ceremony
The typical Romanian wedding tends to be quite simple.  Following ancient custom, the bride wears a white shirt and skirt, with a white apron over it, then a sleeveless woolen coat over that and a red belt at the waist.  The groom wears the traditional pants, a white shirt made of hemp, and the same sleeveless coat over the top.  This simple outfit is tied up with a broad belt with six buckles containing the knife, the tobacco, the pipe, the moneybag and other necessary small things.  He also wears clinkered boots. His only decorative objects are the hand sewn cuffs, a bag over his shoulders, and the white artificial flowers on his chest that marks and identify him as a groom.

The most emotional parts of the Romanian wedding ceremony are the ”forgiving moments,” when the bride and the groom ask for forgiveness from their parents, for possible mistakes they have made before this special occasion.

 

Wedding Reception
The festivity is full with plenty of delicious food and wine, performing traditional dances and singing songs.  The dancing often includes the following dances: the dowry dance, dancing three times around the table, the ‘bride’s grief song’, the ‘bride’s ring dance,’ and the ‘big ring dance.’  The party lasts until daybreak at which point the bride is given a child to hold in her arms, to symbolize that she will have a house full of children.

 

After the Reception
Before passing their threshold of their new home, the two are sprinkled with a grain shower, which is according to Romanians the symbol of a prosperous life.

The entering of a young woman into the new social category of ‘married women’ implies certain traditions and beliefs. To indicate her passage to her new position, she is sometimes required to show her future by chopping of a wood piece with one hit with an axe (as a way of giving birth easily) or the spin wool (as a way of being a good host).

 

Romanian Wedding Traditions by Region

Moldavia

In Moldova, people speak of wedding parties instead of just “weddings.”  The wedding ceremony itself is not the focus of the festivities and can be an understated event leading up to the wedding party. Wedding ceremonies today are held at “casa mare” or House of Happiness.  The modern ceremony includes the old wedding custom of bowing to the parents as a token of gratitude and respect.  A Moldavian maxim says: “The person who has failed to build a home, to raise a son, to dig a well and to plant a tree has wasted his life.

Maramures

A wedding in Maramures has a unitary structure and a very important sequence that should be followed: the asking-in-marriage, the “belief” (engagement) and then the wedding.  Those who hold positions of honor within the ceremony are the “callers” to the wedding, the bridesmaids, the “socacita” (chef), the “man with the larder,” the musicians, the group of the lads and the wedding guests. 
A great deal of attention is paid to the details in dressing, arranging of the table and most of all, the orders and priorities of the events.  For example, on the night before the wedding (which is called “the flag evening”) the “flagman” accompanied by a group of lads and musicians goes to the groom’s house with the flag.  Here they dance the ritual “flag dance” and perform with witty couplets. 
Of all the rituals met with at the wedding ceremony, the most interesting is the one of cleaning the cheeks of the groom and bride by the mother-in-law.  As this is the first time she comes to her mother-in-law’s house the gestures may be considered as a ritual of acceptance of the bride in the new “house.

Transylvania

The wedding dress of the maidens was a proof that the girls knew to sew and weave, which was a very important condition for marriage. Some garments could also indicate an occupation (the long leather cloak of the shepherds, worn on the shoulders, with the fur on the outside or their hood or the “chimir,” a large belt worn by those who worked in the wood) or the social status (only married women worn kerchiefs).  The bride, helped by the girls from the village, was supposed to make the groom’s shirt in a single night.  The “plague shirt” also had to be worked entirely in a single night.

In this region, before closed gates guarded by the bride’s relatives, the bridegroom’s best man tells a story. It is the story of a young emperor who gathered a great army and went hunting. While hunting, he saw a fairy and sent his warriors to look for her. Following the fairy’s trail, they arrive at the bride’s house. They have been told that there is a certain flower in the garden. This flower cannot bear fruit because of the unsuitable soil in which it grows. The warriors came to pick the flower and plant it in the young emperor’s garden. There, the soil was known to be good and provide the nutrients enabling the flower to bear fruit.

In the western part of Transylvania, in Bihor, the bridegroom must pass a test of cleverness. He must solve a series of riddles in order to prove that he is able to be part of the married community.

The entrance of the bride into the community of married women is marked by a change of her hair style, and the covering of her head with a scarf. The scarf is a symbol of the married women.

 

Wedding Food

Polenta

 

Vegetable Rice

 

Beef Stew

 

Cabbage Roll

 

Religion in Romania

Romania is a secular state, and therefore it has no state religion. Even though Romania doesn’t have a state religion, an overwhelming majority of the country’s citizens are Christian. 86.7% of the country’s population identified as Eastern Orthodox according to the 2002 census. Other Christian denominations include Roman Catholicism 4.7%, Calvinism 3.7%, Pentecostal denominations 1.5% and the Romanian Greek-Catholic Church 0.9%. Romania also has a small but historically significant Muslim minority, concentrated in Dobrogea, who are mostly of Crimean Tatar and Turkish ethnicity and number 67,500 people. Based on the 2002 census data, there are also approximately 6,000 Jews and 23,105 people who are of no religion or atheist.

Eastern Orthodox

According to the 2002 census, Eastern Orthodoxy is the largest religious denomination in Romania, numbering 15,869,975 or 86.7% of the population. The rate of church attendance is, however, significantly lower. According to a September–October 2007 poll, with respect to church attendance there are four categories in Romania 38% go to church several times a month or more (of which 7% go weekly or more often), 20% go to church on the average monthly, 33% go only one or two times a year, and 7% do not attend church at all.

Roman Catholicism

There are 1,028,401 Roman Catholics in Romania, making up 4.7% of the population according to the 2002 census. The majority of Roman Catholics are of Hungarian ethnicity, even though there are also approximately 300,000 Catholics living mainly in the eastern region of Romania called Moldova, who are originally Csángó Hungarians rated as ethnic Romanians, as in many cases they identify themselves simply as Catholics instead of Csángó, Hungarian or Romanian.

Greek Catholicism

There are 191,556 Greek-Catholics in Romania which is making up 0.88% of the population according to the 2002 census. The majority of Greek-Catholics live in the northern part of Transylvania.

According to the information, valid for the end of 2003, given in the 2005 Annuario Pontificio, the Romanian Greek-Catholic Church then had 737,900 followers, many bishops, some 716 diocesan priests and 347 seminarians of its own rite. The Romanian Orthodox Church continues to claim many of the Romanian Greek Catholic Church’s properties.

Protestantism

According to 2002 census Protestants represent 6.5% of the total population 1,411,274 persons. Major denominations are Reformed Church in Romania 3.2%, Pentecostals 1.5%, Baptists 0.6%, Adventists 0.4%, Unitarians 0.3%, Plymouth Brethren 0.2% and Lutherans 0.2%.

 

Islam

Although the number of adherents of Islam is relatively small, Islam enjoys a 700 year tradition in Romania particularly in Northern Dobruja, a region on the Black Sea coast which was part of the Ottoman Empire for almost five centuries (ca. 1420-1878). According to the 2002 census, 67,566 people, approx. 0.3% of the total population, indicated that their religion was Islam. 97% of the Romanian Muslims are residents of the two counties forming Northern Dobruja 85% live in Constanţa County, and 12% in Tulcea County.

 

Examples of Churches in Romania

St. George Church – Baia

 

Saint Nicholas – Budesti

The church of Saint Nicholas, built in the 18^th century by a wealthy prince and his wife.

 

The Church of the Curtea de Arges Monastery – Curtea de Arges

The construction of the church began in 1512 and was finished in 1517. A distinct feature of the monument is the riches decorations, a belt composed of four branches of braided stone surrounds around the church, dividing the walls in two registers. The roof, made of lead, is also decorated.

 

St. Nicholas’ Church – Densus

St. Nicholas’ Church is one of the oldest surviving Byzantine churches.

 

Brass horns at Grosi Baptist Church

 

Saint George at Voronet Monastery – Voronet

The Church Saint George at Voronet Monastery is the most famous church in Romania.
It is known throughout the world for its exterior frescoes of bright and intense colors. The interior and exteriors frescoes feature an intense shade of blue known in Romania as “Voronet blue”.

 

Mosques

 

Tatar Mosque – Constanta

 

Esmahan Mosque – Mangalia

Oldest Mosque in Romania built in 1525

 

Romantic Places in Romania

Hotels and Resorts

Carol Parc Hotel – Bucharest

The Hotel is located within walking distance from the centre of Bucharest; this luxurious five star hotel is surrounded by a beautiful and quiet neighbourhood, next to the largest and oldest park in Bucharest. Each room has been individually styled by some of Italy’s finest artisans. With only 20 deluxe rooms and suites, the hotel offers its guests a truly personalized 24-hour service. The Hotel also has wood-burning fireplaces, terraces, plasma televisions, and other amenities.

 

InterContinental Bucharest

The Hotel is situated in the very heart of the city of Bucharest. The InterContinental Bucharest Hotel offers its guests various 5 star facilities that guarantee comfort. This landmark building inform of an Hotel has 283 rooms/ suites with balcony, air conditioning, High Speed Wireless Internet, Health Center, Business Center, Beauty Saloon, two restaurants with exquisite 5 star dining options and conference facilities, and airport shuttle. With a building positioned in front of The National Theatre, the InterContinental Bucharest is the ideal place for the visitors who want to discover this surprising city of Bucharest. The hotel is located just 1 to 15 minutes walking distance from four of the main museums and the old part of the city, Romanian Athenaeum, main shopping and business boulevards, National Opera, five theatres and Cismigiu Garden.

 

K+K Hotel Elisabeta – Bucharest

The Hotel is located in the city centre of Bucharest, close to University, the old town shopping district, main business centres and famous Cismigiu Gardens. The hotel offers a stylish bar and bistro, a business lounge, conference facilities for up to 50 persons, a wellness area with sauna and gym. Internet access is available via LAN and W-LAN from each guestroom, conference room and the business lounge. This charming boutique hotel is perfect for both business and pleasure.

 

Pullman Bucharest Hotel, World Trade Centre – Bucharest

Ideally located within the World Trade Centre complex in the commercial centre of the city, the Pullman Bucharest World Trade Centre is only 5 minutes from downtown Bucharest and 15 minutes from the airport. The hotel offers 203 modern rooms, including 15 spacious suites. It is perfect for business and leisure. The Hotel has meeting facilities able to accommodate up to 800, and a fully equipped fitness centre and spa. Technological amenities in rooms include Internet access, phone and voicemail service, satellite TV and air conditioning. It also offers a 24-hour room service and a restaurant

 

Radisson Blu Hotel – Bucharest

The Radisson Blu Hotel boasts a breathtaking view of Bucharest and close proximity to the former Royal Palace and city centre. Focusing on five-star guest accommodation, the Hotel offers seemingly limitless amenities that make guests stay in complete comfortable environment. From its Bali Spa, World Class Health Academy and Platinum Casino, the Radisson Blu Hotel Bucharest has services designed to ensure a luxurious stay in the heart of Romania.

The hotel offers 424 guest rooms: 311 Standard, 74 Business Class and 39 Suites, including 3 Executive Suites and the exclusive Royal Suite “King Ferdinand and Queen Marie.” Eclectic dining offered at five on-site eateries. The 2,000 m² World Class Health Academy features a fully-equipped gym, massage rooms, hair and beauty salon, a 22-metre swimming pool and Jacuzzi. Hotel houses Romania’s biggest casino, Platinum Casino, and several exclusive designer shops. On the Mezzanine floor, the hotel offers 12 meeting rooms including a 540 m² ballroom with high ceilings.

 

Eforie Resort – Constanta

Eforie Resort is the place for a very good treatment for people over 50s, also a place for families and lovers alike

 

Neptun Resort – Constanta

Neptun Resort (Neptune) is the place for singles, young couples who want to party all the night at the discos, bars or restaurants along the beach.

 

Olimp Resort (Olympus) – Constanta

The resort consists of the most modern hotels, restaurants, discos along the beach. The beach is suitable for water sports and swimming.

 

Saturn Beach Resort – Constanta

The resort has nice hotels with single and double rooms with colour cable TV, telephone and restaurant. The beach is suitable for water sports and swimming a like.

 

Beaches

Mamaia Beach – Copnstanta

Mamaia Beach is sometimes known as Palm Beach of the East. It is located just 5 km from Constanta and 220 km from Bucharest. The resort traditionally visited by a big number of tourists from Germany and North Europe. The beach is along 8km stretch and there are very nice hotels along the beach

 

Sponsoring Your Romanian Spouse to Canada

The sponsorship process is long and it can be frustrating. To learn more about filing the application, click the button below:

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Sponsorship Review

Immigroup will review your completed spousal sponsorship application.. Immigroup will make sure you have not made any mistakes on your application or in gathering the documentation of your relationship. We will assess your sponsorship letter and give you peace of mind that you are submitting an application with a very good chance of success. Don’t lose sleep at night worrying about whether you’ve done enough. Call us at 1-866-760-2623 for a review.