Yes, cousin marriage is legal in Romania under strict conditions. The Civil Code permits unions between first cousins if genetic testing confirms no high-risk hereditary disorders, aligning with EU public health standards. Local civil registrars enforce these rules, while the National Authority for Citizens’ Services (ANSC) monitors compliance.
Key Regulations for Cousin Marriage in Romania
- Genetic Screening Requirement: Couples must submit medical certificates proving no elevated risk of severe hereditary conditions, as outlined in Law 46/2003 on the Protection of Human Embryos and Fetuses.
- Civil Code Provisions: Article 272 explicitly allows cousin marriages but mandates prior genetic counseling through authorized health units accredited by the Ministry of Health.
- Local Enforcement: Civil registrars in each county (e.g., Primăria Sectorului 1 București) verify compliance before issuing marriage licenses, with ANSC conducting periodic audits post-2026 under the National Strategy for Demographic Resilience.
Failure to meet these criteria results in license denial, with appeals processed by the Bucharest Court of Appeal within 30 days. The framework reflects Romania’s 2022 alignment with EU Directive 2016/1148 on cross-border genetic data sharing for marriage validity.