When you need to use a U.S. birth certificate in Romania, it must first be authenticated with an apostille — an official certificate that verifies the authenticity of the document so it can be legally recognized in another country.

Since Romania is a member of the Hague Apostille Convention, U.S. birth certificates only need the state-level apostille (no embassy legalization required).

At Orange County Apostille, we handle the entire process from start to finish: ordering certified copies (if needed), notarization when applicable, obtaining the California apostille, and shipping your documents internationally — all with full transparency and tracking.

Why Apostille Your Birth Certificate for Romania?

If you or your family have Romanian heritage, plan to get married, apply for citizenship, or handle property or inheritance matters in Romania, your U.S. birth certificate must be apostilled to prove authenticity.

Romanian authorities such as registries, universities, notaries, and immigration offices will not accept an unauthenticated document.

Common reasons include:

Applying for Romanian citizenship by descent (cetățenie română)
Registering a foreign birth in Romania
Marriage registration or dual citizenship applications
Visa, school, or legal residency requirements
Family law or inheritance proceedings in Romania

Step-by-Step: How to Apostille a Birth Certificate for Romania

Step 1: Confirm the issuing state

If your birth certificate was issued in California, the apostille must be obtained from the California Secretary of State.

If it was issued in another U.S. state, we can still assist through our nationwide network.

Step 2: Use a certified copy

Only a certified, long-form birth certificate signed by the County Clerk or State Registrar can be apostilled. Photocopies or abstracts are not accepted.

Step 3: Submit for apostille

We submit your document directly to the Secretary of State’s office for authentication.

Turnaround is typically 7–10 business days (expedited options available).

Step 4: Receive your apostilled document

Once complete, you’ll receive your birth certificate with the attached California apostille — ready to be presented in Romania or translated into Romanian if required.

Additional Services We Provide

We don’t just get apostilles — we handle the entire process for you:

Certified copy requests from County Clerk or Vital Records
Translation into Romanian (certified and notarized)
Notarization of supporting documents
Federal and embassy legalizations for non-Hague countries
International shipping to Romania

All services are handled locally through Orange County Apostille and Your Local Notary Public.

What the Apostille Looks Like

The California Apostille Certificate is an official, gold-seal document attached to your birth certificate. It verifies:

The signature of the County Clerk or State Registrar
The capacity of the signing official
The seal of the issuing agency

It is recognized in Romania under the Hague Apostille Convention (1961) — no Romanian consular legalization is required.

Translation for Use in Romania

Once apostilled, the document must often be translated into Romanian by a certified translator.

Our translators prepare notarized and certified Romanian translations ready for use with:

Romanian consulates and embassies
Autoritatea Națională pentru Cetățenie (ANC)
Primăria (local town halls)
Universities and immigration authorities

1. Is Romania part of the Hague Apostille Convention?

Yes. Romania joined the Hague Apostille Convention in 2001. This means U.S. documents only need an apostille — not embassy legalization.

2. Can you apostille a short-form or abstract birth certificate?

No. Only long-form certified copies bearing the original registrar’s signature and seal are accepted.

3. Can you apostille a photocopy or scan?

No. Apostilles are issued only on original certified documents, not copies.

4. What if my birth certificate is from another state (not California)?

We handle apostilles for all 50 states — we’ll submit it to the correct Secretary of State office.

5. Do I need a notarization before getting the apostille?

Not for vital records like birth, death, or marriage certificates. They’re directly apostilled.

6. How long does the apostille process take?

Standard processing is 7–10 business days. Expedited options may be available.

7. Can you order a new certified copy for me?

Yes. We can request a new certified copy from the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) or county office on your behalf.

8. Do I need a translation into Romanian?

Yes, if it’s being presented in Romania. We provide certified translations accepted by Romanian authorities.

9. What’s the difference between notarization and apostille?

Notarization verifies your signature; an apostille verifies the authority of a government official’s signature or seal.

10. Can I apostille documents for dual citizenship with Romania?

Yes. Many clients apostille birth certificates to apply for Romanian citizenship by descent (through a parent or grandparent).

11. Will Romania accept the apostille permanently?

Yes, apostilles do not expire, but authorities may request recent copies (within 12 months).

12. Can I ship documents internationally to you?

Yes. We accept documents via FedEx, USPS, and DHL worldwide and return them securely.

13. Can you send my apostilled document directly to Romania?

Absolutely. We offer tracked international delivery directly to Romania.

14. Do you provide notarized affidavits or translations for Romanian use?

Yes, we notarize affidavits, consent letters, and certified translations for Romania.

15. How can I start the apostille process today?

Visit our online booking page at Orange County Apostille Start Your Apostille and we’ll handle the rest.

Final Thoughts

If you’re preparing your birth certificate for Romania, let our team manage the entire process for you. We ensure your documents are accurately authenticated, translated, and delivered on time — giving you complete peace of mind.

📍 Orange County Apostille

Professional, reliable, and experienced in handling Romanian document requirements for U.S. citizens and dual nationals.