Multilingual extracts for birth, marriage, and death are standardized forms recognized between states that have acceded to CIEC Convention No. 16/1976 (Vienna). They have the same legal value as civil status certificates and circulate without translation, legalization, or apostille, under the conditions set out by the applicable rules.

Legal basis (brief)

• Articles 171–176 of the Methodological Norms (Government Decision no. 727/2013) regulate:
  1. the issuance of multilingual extracts by local civil status offices (SPCLEP/municipalities) and diplomatic missions (Art. 171);
  2. their legal effect in the States Parties (Art. 172 paras. 1–2);
  3. recognition in Romania, without translation/legalization, of extracts issued by other States Parties (Art. 173);
  4. rules on completion, format, and numbering (Arts. 174–176).

In which countries can multilingual extracts be used (States signatory to Convention No. 16)

According to publicly available lists from Romanian local authorities, the signatory states are:

• Republic of Austria
• Kingdom of Belgium
• Bosnia and Herzegovina
• Republic of Bulgaria
• Republic of Cabo Verde
• Republic of Croatia
• Swiss Confederation
• French Republic
• Federal Republic of Germany
• Hellenic Republic (Greece)
• Italian Republic
• Grand Duchy of Luxembourg
• Republic of Lithuania
• Republic of North Macedonia
• Montenegro
• Republic of Moldova
• Kingdom of the Netherlands
• Republic of Poland
• Portuguese Republic
• Republic of Romania
• Kingdom of Spain
• Republic of Slovenia
• Republic of Serbia
• Republic of Türkiye (Turkey)
• Official sources listing the states:
• Vărbilău Town Hall – Civil Status
• Voinești Town Hall – Civil Status

Practical note

• Romanian multilingual extracts are used before foreign authorities in these states (Art. 172 para. 1).
• Multilingual extracts issued by States Parties are recognized in Romania without translation or legalization (Art. 173).

Why it’s worth using them

• Save time and money: no translations or legalization/apostille are required in the States Parties.
• Clarity and legal certainty: standardized format with clear fields (names, dates, annotations).
• Simplified cross-border procedures: registration/transcription of birth, marriage, or death; recording of annotations; administrative files.

How we can help—fast

If you need multilingual extracts, complete the contact form on our website and our law firm can help you obtain them quickly and correctly. We can act as legal representatives based on a lawyer’s mandate, with no power of attorney required.

Short Q&A

1. Are the extracts valid everywhere?
   • They are used in the states that have acceded to CIEC Convention No. 16/1976.
2. Do they need to be translated or apostilled?
   • No, when presented in the States Parties (Arts. 172–173 of the Norms).
3. Can they be used before Romanian authorities as well?
   • Yes. Multilingual extracts issued by States Parties are recognized in Romania without translation/legalization (Art. 173).

Conclusion

For cross-border use, multilingual extracts are the simple and secure solution: recognized among the signatory states, without translations or legalizations, in a clear, standardized format. If you want to avoid travel and delays, contact us—we handle the entire process for you.

References

• Laws/Rules:
  • Methodological Norms for the application of Convention No. 16 (GD no. 727/2013) – Arts. 171–176
• Useful institutional sources:
  • Vărbilău Town Hall – Civil Status (list of signatory states, extract templates)
  • Voinești Town Hall – Civil Status (list of signatory states)
  • MAI information guide – notes on exemption from apostille for CIEC No. 16 extracts