The Hague Apostille in Romania: legalising documents for abroad
In short
The Hague Apostille is a stamp confirming the authenticity of a Romanian official document so it can be used in a member state of the Hague Convention, without further legalisation. The institution that applies it depends on the document type: the prefect's institution for administrative documents (civil status, education), the tribunal for judicial documents (court rulings, criminal record) and the Chamber of Notaries for notarial documents and certified translations. The apostille is usually applied the same day or within 1-2 working days.
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You need a Romanian document — a birth certificate, a diploma, a power of attorney — to use in another country: for a job, a marriage, a study enrolment, a transaction. For it to be recognised there, the document must be “internationally authenticated”, and for most states that means the Hague Apostille.
How it works, in short
The apostille is a standardised attestation recognised by all Hague Convention states: it confirms that the signature and stamp on your document are authentic. With it, the document is accepted directly in the destination country, with no embassy trips. For countries outside the convention, the procedure is different (super-legalisation) — so the first step is to check which category your destination falls into.
Who applies the apostille — it depends on the document
This is the part that confuses people most. There is no single counter; the institution differs by document type:
| Document type | Where it is apostilled |
|---|---|
| Administrative (civil status, education, official statements) | The prefect’s institution |
| Judicial (rulings, criminal record) | The tribunal |
| Notarial (powers of attorney, declarations) and certified translations | The Chamber of Notaries |
If you are unsure which category your document falls into, ask the county prefect’s institution — they can point you in the right direction. And for some documents (especially education ones) there are mandatory prior endorsements before apostille: check in advance so you do not make the trip for nothing.
Steps to follow
- Check whether the destination country requires an apostille. The apostille is used only for member states of the 1961 Hague Convention. For countries outside the convention a different procedure applies (super-legalisation, through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and embassies). Check the list of states first.
- Identify the competent institution for your document. It depends on the document type: the prefect's institution for administrative documents (civil status certificates, education documents, official statements); the tribunal for judicial documents (court rulings, the criminal record certificate); the Chamber of Notaries for notarial documents (powers of attorney, declarations) and certified translations.
- Prepare the document in the required form. Some documents need prior endorsements before apostille (for example, education documents require endorsements from the school inspectorate or the ministry). Civil status certificates must be in the current format, recently issued. Ask the institution what form it accepts.
- Submit the request and pay the fee. You present the original document at the competent institution, complete the request and pay the applicable fee. At many institutions the apostille can also be requested through a representative, with a power of attorney.
- Collect the apostilled document. The apostille is applied to the original document (or to an annex) and is usually issued the same day or within 1-2 working days, depending on the institution and workload.
- Translate and legalise, if needed. Many foreign authorities also require a certified translation of the apostilled document. Usually the document is apostilled first, then translated; sometimes the translation is also apostilled. Confirm the order with the authority requesting the document.
Required documents
- The original document to be apostilled (certificate, diploma, ruling, notarial act etc.)
- The applicant's identity document
- A power of attorney, if filing through a representative
- The prior endorsements required for certain documents (e.g. education documents)
- Proof of payment of the apostille fee
Costs
| What you pay | Cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Apostille at the tribunal (judicial documents) | [check with the competent tribunal] | A small fee; amounts vary and may change |
| Apostille at the prefect's institution (administrative documents) | [check with the prefect's institution] | Fee set by the institution |
| Apostille at the Chamber of Notaries (notarial documents) | [check with the Chamber of Notaries] | Notarial tariff |
| Certified translation + legalisation (if required) | Variable | Market rate of authorised translators |
Fees change over time. Always check the current amounts on the official websites listed under “Official sources”.
How long it takes
The apostille itself usually takes from a few hours to 1-2 working days. What can lengthen the process are the preparatory steps: obtaining prior endorsements for education documents or issuing an updated civil status certificate.
Frequently asked questions
What is an apostille, exactly?
It is a standardised stamp/attestation confirming that the signature and seal on an official document are authentic. This way the document is recognised directly in the other Hague Convention states, without going through embassies.
Which countries require an apostille?
Only member states of the Hague Convention (most EU states, the USA, the UK and many others). For non-convention states, super-legalisation applies — a more complex procedure through the Foreign Ministry and diplomatic missions. Check your destination country's status.
Can I get the apostille online?
From 2026, the e-Apostille was gradually introduced for certain electronically issued administrative documents (for example the electronic criminal record or digital civil status documents). For most paper documents, apostille remains a physical process at the competent institution.
Do I have to apostille the translation too?
It depends on what the foreign authority requires. Frequently the original is apostilled, then the certified translation is made; some authorities require an apostille on the translation too (applied by the Chamber of Notaries). Ask exactly what format the recipient requires.
How is the criminal record certificate apostilled?
The criminal record certificate is a document for which the apostille is applied through the tribunal (or, for the electronic version, through the e-Apostille where available). You first obtain the certificate (free, online or at the counter), then apostille it.