Romanian passport: online booking, documents, urgent procedure
In short
The Romanian electronic passport is obtained with an online appointment on epasapoarte.ro, payment of the fee (258 lei for people over 12, 234 lei under 12) and submission of the application at a passport service, where biometrics are captured. Issuance usually takes 5 working days (up to 10 in peak periods). For urgent situations there is the temporary passport — 96 lei, issued in at most 3 working days.
Updated on:
Getting a Romanian passport is a well-oiled process these days: online booking, a single counter visit, courier delivery if you want it. Crowding remains the only real problem — before holiday season, appointments and deadlines stretch, so the golden rule is not to leave the passport for the last moment.
Electronic or temporary?
- The electronic passport is the standard document: chip, biometric data, long validity (up to 10 years for adults), accepted everywhere — including visa-waiver programmes that require a biometric passport.
- The temporary passport is the emergency option: issued within at most 3 working days, but valid only 12 months and not accepted by all states (some treat it differently for visa purposes). Use it only when the urgency is real.
A note for parents
The rules for minors’ documents and for their border crossings are separate topics: a child’s passport requires both parents’ consent at application, while a child travelling without both parents needs separate declarations at the border — we cover that in detail in the guide on children travelling abroad.
Steps to follow
- Book online on epasapoarte.ro. The official platform epasapoarte.ro shows available slots at passport services nationwide. Applications can be filed at any service, regardless of residence — if your county is fully booked, look at neighbouring ones.
- Pay the passport fee. 258 lei for the electronic passport (over 12), 234 lei for children under 12, 96 lei for the temporary passport. Pay online on ghiseul.ro, at the treasury or through other accepted channels — keep the proof.
- Submit the application and biometrics. At the counter, your photo, fingerprints and signature are captured. For minors, the application is filed by both parents (or by one, with the other's notarised consent or a court decision replacing it); the child must be present — except for the temporary passport for children under 12, obtainable with photos.
- Collect the passport or receive it by courier. The passport is collected in person from the service where you applied, or delivered to your address by courier for a fee — you choose at submission.
Required documents
- Identity document, in original
- The previous passport, if any
- Proof of payment (258 / 234 / 96 lei, as applicable)
- For minors: birth certificate, the parents' identity documents, the absent parent's notarised consent or the court decision, as applicable
- For the temporary passport of children under 12: two passport-type photos, if the child is not present
Costs
| What you pay | Cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Electronic passport — people over 12 | 258 lei | Includes fingerprint capture |
| Electronic passport — children under 12 | 234 lei | — |
| Temporary passport | 96 lei | For urgent situations; short validity (12 months) |
| Courier delivery (optional) | Variable | Courier fee, paid at delivery or submission |
Fees change over time. Always check the current amounts on the official websites listed under “Official sources”.
How long it takes
The electronic passport is usually issued within 5 working days of submission — in peak periods (before holidays) up to 10 working days. The temporary passport is issued within at most 3 working days, often the same day.
Frequently asked questions
How long is the passport valid?
The electronic passport is valid 3 years for children under 12, 5 years for people between 12 and 25, and 10 years for people over 25. The temporary passport is valid 12 months.
I am leaving urgently and my passport has expired — what are my options?
The temporary passport (96 lei) is issued within at most 3 working days in justified situations — urgent medical, family or professional reasons. Careful though: some states do not accept the temporary passport or require a visa for it; check your destination's rules first.
Can I apply without an appointment?
Online booking is the main channel and guarantees your slot; walk-in submission is possible at some services, within capacity, but with unpredictable waiting. Booking on epasapoarte.ro is free and takes minutes — use it.
How do I get a child's passport if the other parent is abroad or refuses?
The absent parent can give consent by notarised declaration (including at a Romanian consulate abroad). On refusal or impossibility, a court can substitute the consent; a parent with sole parental authority applies alone, with the court decision.
Can I apply in a county other than my residence?
Yes. Passport applications can be filed at any public passport service in the country — useful when your county's slots are full. Collection is from the chosen service or by courier.