Children travelling abroad from Romania: consents, documents, rules
In short
A minor can leave Romania only with their own travel document (passport or ID card) and, when not accompanied by both parents, with the absent parent's notarised declaration of consent — valid for the period stated in it, but no more than 3 years from signing (Law 248/2005). When the child travels with a third party, both parents' declaration and the accompanying adult's criminal record certificate are required.
Updated on:
Romania’s rules on minors travelling abroad are among the strictest in the EU — with a clear purpose: preventing international child abduction and trafficking. For parents, that means an extra layer of paperwork for every holiday where the child does not travel with both of them. The good news: once you understand the system, it all comes down to one notary visit.
The four scenarios, at a glance
| Who accompanies the child | What is needed at the border |
|---|---|
| Both parents | Only the child’s travel document |
| One parent | The other parent’s notarised consent |
| Grandparents, relatives, other adults | Both parents’ declaration + the companion’s criminal record |
| Unaccompanied (16+, permitted cases) | Both parents’ declaration |
(The table shows the general rule; special situations — sole parental authority, a deceased parent, court-substituted consent — are covered in the FAQ.)
Practical border tips
- Make the declaration with the correct destination and period — a generic “anywhere, any time” declaration does not comply with the law;
- Bring the child’s birth certificate, especially if the accompanying parent has a different family name;
- For flights, also check the airline’s unaccompanied-minor policy — a separate requirement from the Border Police rules.
Steps to follow
- Make sure the child has their own travel document. Children cannot travel on their parents' documents: they need their own passport or, for states that accept it, their own identity card (from age 14, or the electronic ID card from any age).
- Identify your travel scenario. With both parents — no declaration needed. With one parent — the other parent's consent declaration. With grandparents, relatives or other adults — both parents' declaration plus the accompanying adult's criminal record. Unaccompanied (16+) — both parents' declaration, in the situations allowed by law.
- Make the notarised consent declaration. Drawn up at any public notary in Romania (or at a Romanian consulate, for a parent abroad), it must state the destination, the period and, where applicable, the accompanying adult. It can be given for a period of at most 3 years from signing.
- Prepare the supporting documents. The child's birth certificate, documents proving special situations where relevant (divorce decision with sole parental authority, a parent's death certificate) and, for a third-party companion, their criminal record certificate — free and quick to obtain.
- Present everything at the border. Border police check the documents on exit from Romania. The rules apply on exit — no consent is required when entering Romania. Keep the original declaration with you for the whole trip.
Required documents
- The minor's travel document: passport or identity card (where accepted)
- The child's birth certificate (recommended, to prove the parental link)
- The notarised consent declaration of the parent(s) not travelling — at most 3 years validity
- For a third-party companion: both parents' declaration + the companion's criminal record certificate + their identity document
- As applicable: the court decision on sole parental authority, the decision substituting consent, the parent's death certificate
Costs
| What you pay | Cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Notarised consent declaration | Variable | Notary fee — typically tens of lei up to over a hundred; consular fees apply at consulates |
| The companion's criminal record certificate | Free | Online via hub.mai.gov.ro or on the spot at police counters |
Fees change over time. Always check the current amounts on the official websites listed under “Official sources”.
How long it takes
The notarised declaration is drawn up on the spot, same day, at any notary office. The border check takes minutes when documents are complete — without the declaration, the child can be refused exit from the country.
Frequently asked questions
The parents are divorced — is the other parent's consent still needed?
It depends on the divorce decision. With joint parental authority (the rule), the other parent's consent remains necessary. A parent with sole parental authority can travel with the child without consent, presenting the final court decision at the border.
What if the other parent refuses to consent?
You can ask the court to substitute the consent of a parent who refuses unjustifiably, where the refusal goes against the child's interest. The court decision presented at the border replaces the declaration.
Can a 16-year-old travel alone?
Yes, minors over 16 can leave the country unaccompanied, with both parents' consent, in the situations provided by law — typically studies, official competitions or medical treatment. Check the exact conditions on the Border Police website before travelling.
Is the declaration required when returning to Romania?
No. The parental consent rules apply on leaving Romania; a Romanian minor is admitted into the country without such conditions. Mind, though, the rules of transit and destination states — some have their own requirements.
Is a declaration made 2 years ago still valid?
Only if the period stated in it covers your trip: the declaration is valid for the period the parents specified, which cannot exceed 3 years from signing. Also check that the travel destination matches the one in the declaration.