How Much Does Romanian Citizenship by Descent Cost?
Author: Zack, from European Roots Consulting
A lawyer quoted me $5,000 per person for my Romanian case. That number covered the professional fee only. Apostilles, certified translations, shipping and extra calls were all on top.
I filed myself. Here is what Romanian citizenship by descent costs, in two parts.
Part one: costs that don't change
Whoever helps you, these exist:
- Records. Civil-status records for each generation, from archives and registry offices that charge their own fees.
- Apostilles and certified translations. Foreign documents need authentication and translation by an approved translator.
- Couriers. Originals travel.
- Government and consular fees. Romania sets them. Check your consulate's published list before you budget.
- The B1 Romanian certificate. Most applicants need one. Providers differ widely. One published guide puts online courses that include the exam at roughly 300 to 800 euros. Exam-only fees from some institutes run much lower, so price your route before you commit. Applicants 65 or older at the time of filing are exempt from the certificate.
In my experience, the non-language costs run roughly $500 to $1,500 per case, and more for document-heavy files.
Part two: what you pay someone to do
| Path | Professional fee | With third-party costs (excluding B1) |
|---|---|---|
| Going solo | $0 | about $500 to $1,500, plus your time |
| Roadmap Call, then solo | $299 | about $800 to $1,800 |
| Guided Process | $1,500 | about $2,000 to $3,000 |
| Done For You | $3,250 | about $3,750 to $4,750 |
Calculation: $299 + $500 to $1,500 = $799 to $1,799. $1,500 + $500 to $1,500 = $2,000 to $3,000. $3,250 + $500 to $1,500 = $3,750 to $4,750. Adults after the first get 25% off Guided and Done For You, and applicants under 18 are free.
Why a flat fee matters
A professional fee and an all-in cost are not the same number. My own Romanian quote left out apostilles, translations, shipping and calls beyond an included allotment. Printing, paper and communication can add more. Each one is small. Together they are the surprise on the invoice.
My fee is flat. You get unlimited communication with me, and I'm with you from start to finish. I don't bill you for calls, printing or paper. The only costs on top are government and authority fees and third-party costs such as translators and records. Before you start, I give you an estimate built on your own situation. It varies from person to person because every family's documents are different.
Where Romania adds cost
Two items surprise people. First, the language certificate, which sits outside most firms' base fee. Second, document age and certification rules that can force you to buy the same record twice when the sequence is wrong. I walk clients through the order before they spend anything. For the language rules, read what the B1 requirement means if you're applying now.
What the cost doesn't include
Approval comes with further steps before a Romanian passport is in your hand, each with its own paperwork and fees. I covered that in what comes after approval.
Where to start
The two-minute eligibility quiz tells you whether your line is worth pricing. If you already know it is, the Roadmap Call gives you a written, line-item estimate for your family.
Poland has its own numbers. See the Polish cost guide.
Prices are in USD and current as of October 2026. Fees and timelines change. This is general information, not legal advice.
Sources: Romanian citizenship guide with B1 course pricing.
Take the 2-minute eligibility quiz