In citizenship cases handled under simplified procedures, the decisive factor is not only the legal basis itself, but also how the documents confirming that basis are prepared. In practice, it is translations and notarial formalities that most often become the cause of delays, suspensions, and additional requests from government authorities.
Rompaso lawyers regularly encounter cases where applicants formally meet the procedural requirements. For this reason, the key task is the correct preparation of the case file: accurate translations, proper details, and compliant notarization. It is precisely at this stage that many applicants face difficulties.
Translation Nuances When Submitting Citizenship Documents
In the Romanian procedure (using the widely applied simplified program as an example), authorities assess documents based on their Romanian-language text. The quality of the translation directly affects how unambiguously the facts confirmed by the applicant’s documents are interpreted (identity, dates, marital status, and civil record details).
In practice, the following elements are critical in translations:
- Consistency in personal names and transliteration across all documents. Different spelling variants, omission of a middle name, or inconsistent rendering of diacritics create discrepancies between records.
- Place of birth and administrative divisions. Abbreviations, “free” interpretations, or different translations of the same toponym lead to inconsistencies.
- Document status: original, duplicate, reissued certificate, extract. In the Romanian procedure, these are not equivalent concepts, and the translation must accurately reflect the type of document.
- Marital status and civil registry wording: “marriage dissolved,” “divorced,” “married,” “widower/widow.” Using an incorrect term or substituting it with a close but inaccurate equivalent often triggers clarification requests.
- Details: series/number, date of issuance, issuing authority, civil record entry number. Errors in numbers, abbreviations, or official names are a frequent cause of requests, as these details are used to cross-check documents within the case file.
- Consistent terminology throughout the entire document package. If different translators use different legal equivalents for the same concept, the package appears inconsistent, making it more difficult for authorities to reconcile the information.
Notarization Nuances
In Romanian cases, the most common reasons for required corrections include:
- The wrong action is certified. For example, the applicant’s signature is notarized instead of the accuracy of the translation, or vice versa (depending on the document and the specific circumstances).
- An incorrect sequence of steps (translation / notarization / apostille or other legalization). In some cases, this results in the document having to be reissued from scratch.
- Inconsistencies between the notarial text and the rest of the case file (name, passport details, dates, reference data). Even minor discrepancies can trigger a request for correction.
- Improper certification of copies. A copy is notarized without meeting readability requirements for reference numbers and stamps, making it impossible to properly match the document with its translation.
How This Affects Processing and Decision Timelines in Practice
When documents are prepared correctly, the case file is accepted by the ANC (Autoritatea Națională pentru Cetățenie) and processed under the standard procedure. If, however, the commission raises questions and requests clarifications or reissuance, timelines increase for clear and predictable reasons:
- time is required to prepare corrections or obtain missing documents;
- the corrected documents must be resubmitted and go through formal review again;
- related inconsistencies often have to be resolved “along the chain” — when correcting one document requires aligning translations, name spellings, reference data, and wording across other materials in the package;
- in some cases, documents must be obtained again (for example, updated certificates) due to limited validity periods or because the previous version does not meet formal requirements.
According to Rompaso’s case management practice, when translations and notarial actions are done correctly from the first submission, processing typically fits within an approximate 12-month timeframe. When lawyers receive cases that applicants have assembled independently, a significant amount of time is usually spent bringing the file into line with procedural requirements—ensuring that the package is consistent, coherent, and formally acceptable.
In general, this principle applies not only to Romania and not only to simplified programs: any deficiencies in official documents or doubts raised by the reviewing authority tend to “consume” processing time across different migration statuses. To avoid revisions and delays, a lawyer’s primary task is to structure the legal logic of the case file in line with the specific procedure and authority requirements, proactively address potential questions, and verify the evidentiary consistency of the entire package.
This approach provides clarity on timelines and confidence in the process: you know when to expect a result and can plan your next steps and life decisions without unnecessary uncertainty.
