Entry into the profession

How to become a notary

A public notary gives documents legal force and security, and entry into the profession is governed by law. Here you will find the conditions you have to meet and the three routes in: the traineeship, at least 6 years in a legal specialist role, and the option open to former judges of the High Court of Cassation and Justice or of the Constitutional Court.

General conditions

Who can become a public notary

To become a public notary you must, first of all, meet the conditions laid down by Law no. 36/1995 on public notaries and notarial activity, namely:

a) be a Romanian citizen, a citizen of a Member State of the European Union, a citizen of a State belonging to the European Economic Area or a citizen of the Swiss Confederation, and have your domicile or residence in Romania;
b) have full legal capacity;
c) hold a law degree;
d) have no criminal record arising from an offence committed in office or in connection with the office, or from any other offence committed intentionally;
e) enjoy a good reputation, established under the conditions laid down by the statute;
f) know the Romanian language;
g) be medically and psychologically fit to exercise the office;
h) have held the status of trainee notary for 2 years, have graduated from the Romanian Notarial Institute and have passed the final examination, or have exercised a legal specialist role for at least 6 years and have passed the admission competition for the office of public notary.

Choose your route

Ways to enter the office of public notary

In Romania there are 3 ways to enter the office of public notary:

Route 1

by passing the examination or competition for the status of trainee notary, followed, after completing the traineeship, by the final examination

How to become a trainee notary Route 2

by passing the admission competition for the office of public notary, open to persons with at least 6 years in a legal specialist role

See the procedure Route 3

by former judges of the High Court of Cassation and Justice or of the Constitutional Court exercising their option to enter the notarial profession

See the conditions

For information on the organisation of examinations and competitions, the syllabus and bibliography, and the registration procedure, keep an eye on the INR website.