Required documents for replacing your Romanian ID card
Practical guide organized by real scenarios, including legal deadlines, fees, and institutions you need to visit.
Quick checklist before you go to the counter
- Identify the correct scenario: loss/theft/damage, expiry, name or civil-status change, address change, or first issue.
- Check your local SPCLEP requirements before booking, because some offices request extra verification documents.
- Prepare original civil-status documents and, where requested locally, clear copies.
- Confirm which document type is issued in your locality: CEI, CIS, or legacy CI format.
- Keep proof of payment and verify the collection window communicated at filing.
First CEI (when legal conditions apply)
Free until June 30, 2026
CEI fee (after free period / other cases)
67 RON
CIS fee
38 RON
Issuance deadline
30 days (can be extended to 45 days in justified cases)
CEI/CIS online appointment: exact workflow
Use the official CEI appointment channel for booking. Since August 2025, CEI filing can be scheduled at any population records service, regardless of domicile, based on available slots.
How to book correctly
- 1Open the official booking map: hub.mai.gov.ro/cei/programari/harta.
- 2Select the county and the service where you want to file.
- 3Carefully complete applicant details and choose an available time slot.
- 4Confirm the appointment from the email within 30 minutes.
- 5After submission, entered data cannot be edited; if details are wrong, recreate the booking after the unconfirmed one expires.
If issues appear
- •No available slots: check other services/localities on the map.
- •Wrong email entered: you cannot confirm that booking; wait for expiration (30 minutes) and book again.
- •No confirmation email received: check Spam/Junk first.
- •If still missing, send a screenshot to dgep@mai.gov.ro.
Choose the scenario that matches your case
If your document is lost, stolen, or damaged, you apply for a new identity document. Theft has a separate legal reporting deadline.
Required documents
- •Application form for issuing an identity document.
- •Birth certificate (original).
- •Civil-status document (marriage/divorce decision), where applicable.
- •Address proof document.
- •Payment proof, when applicable.
- •For theft: police document confirming theft report.
Where to go
- •SPCLEP at your domicile/residence for filing.
- •Police for theft reporting within the legal deadline.
- •CEC Bank / SelfPay / other official channels for payment.
Fees and payment
- •CEI: 67 RON (except legally exempt cases).
- •CIS: 38 RON.
- •Before payment, confirm which card type is issued locally.
Deadlines and risks
- •Theft must be reported to police within 24 hours.
- •The issuing request is generally filed within 15 days from the event.
- •Missing legal deadlines may trigger an administrative fine.
Check locally with SPCLEP before filing
Exact document lists, office schedule, and pick-up details may vary by locality.
- •Confirm whether filing is by online appointment only or also without appointment.
- •Check whether your local office accepts on-site payment or only CEC/SelfPay/online channels.
- •Ask which extra address proof documents are requested locally (contract, owner consent, updated extract).
- •Confirm how collection notifications are communicated (SMS, local portal, office notice).
- •For minors or special situations, request the latest local document list before travel.
Institution flow (infographic)
Use this visual path for the standard process. Always confirm local SPCLEP specifics.
Pick the correct scenario
Identify why you need a new document: expiry, loss/theft, damage, data change, first issue.
Prepare your file
Gather civil-status records, address proof, and scenario-specific documents.
Confirm fee and card type
Verify whether your office issues CEI or CIS and pay the applicable fee through official channels.
File at SPCLEP
Submit documents (appointment or walk-in depending on local rules) and receive collection guidance.
Deadline timeline (infographic)
The timeline below reflects legal baseline rules; practical scheduling depends on local processing capacity.
Within 15 days after event/change
For loss, theft, damage, or data updates, filing is generally required within the legal 15-day term.
Up to 180 days before expiry
For expiring cards, you may file early (maximum 180 days before expiry).
Issuance: up to 30 days
General legal issuance term is 30 days from filing, extendable to 45 days in justified cases.
Fine risk
Failure to request issuance within legal deadlines is an administrative offense and may be sanctioned with a fine.
Real User Experiences
Stories from the Reddit community about the electronic ID card process
These experiences are shared by real users and may vary by location and time. Always verify official information.
"I arrived at 10:00 and was immediately directed to a counter. Zero waiting time. All I needed for documents was: ID card, birth certificate, property deed (all originals). They filled in the application for us and just showed us the data on a monitor to confirm it was correct. For two people the whole process took 30 minutes."
"I went two weeks ago. I needed, in original: old ID card, birth certificate, and housing contract (if you're not the owner, the owner must be present too)."
"I went yesterday to get mine, had an appointment from April. But I forgot to bring my marriage certificate in original, the clerk said she needs to scan it... So back home, searched for the next available date, apparently everything's full."
"Get a criminal record certificate from Ghișeul.ro, that's how I proved my address at the bank and at work. It was generated for free, instantly, and it solves the problem."
Frequently asked questions
Can I request CEI in another county than my domicile?
According to official CEI rollout information, CEI requests can be filed at the selected service regardless of domicile. Still, verify real-time availability before booking.
Where can I pay the CEI/CIS fee?
Fees can be paid through officially published channels (for example CEC Bank and SelfPay for the listed fees). Confirm your local SPCLEP payment workflow before filing.
What happens if I miss the legal filing deadline?
Missing legal deadlines can be treated as an administrative offense. In practice, a fine may apply, so file as soon as possible and explain the delay at the office.
How long does it take to receive the new card?
The general legal term is up to 30 days (with possible extension to 45 days in justified cases). Actual timing depends on office workload and document type.
What should I do if I do not receive the booking confirmation email?
First check your Spam/Junk folder. If the confirmation is still missing, report the issue by email to dgep@mai.gov.ro with a screenshot, as indicated in official guidance.
Related issues you can also check
Official sources
Last verified: March 5, 2026
S1: Emergency Ordinance no. 97/2005 on identity records, domicile, residence, and identity documents
Primary legal source for deadlines (24h, 15 days, 180 days), issuance term (30/45 days), and offenses.
S2: Methodological norms (Government Decision no. 295/2021) - procedures and documents
Operational detail source for required documents and administrative filing flow.
S3: Official electronic identity card portal - useful questions
Official information on CEI/CIS fees, fee waivers, and broad filing rules.
S4: Official CEI appointment platform (service map)
Official channel for service discovery and appointment where applicable.
S5: DGEP MAI - required documents hub
Official central page with scenario entrypoints for identity document issuance.
S6: DGEP MAI - scenario page for expired identity document
Official scenario example used to cross-check practical document and filing guidance.
Do you have an atypical or urgent case?
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