Received a Document from Romania Abroad? 24h/7d/30d Timeline + Checklist

Q: I received a Romanian summons abroad. Can the case proceed without me?

Yes. If service is legally considered valid and you do not respond, the case can proceed. Identify the exact deadline and file a defence/response or appoint representation immediately.

Q: Which date usually starts the deadline clock?

Most deadlines run from the date of service/communication shown in the service proof. Preserve the envelope and service receipt and calculate the term carefully, using the general rules on time limits where applicable.

Q: I received a judgment. How long do I have to appeal?

A common baseline for an ordinary appeal (apel) is 30 days from communication of the judgment, unless a special law provides otherwise. Always rely on the “legal remedies” section in the judgment you received.

Q: I received an enforcement notice from a Romanian bailiff. What is the urgent move?

Identify the specific enforcement act you need to challenge and calculate the relevant deadline. A common baseline for challenging enforcement acts (contestație la executare) is 15 days, triggered by specific events (receipt/knowledge of the act).

Q: I received a Romanian tax act abroad. How long do I have to challenge it administratively?

A common baseline is 45 days from communication of the tax act/title. Official instructions also describe a 3-month baseline if required legal-remedy information is missing from the act.

Q: I can’t travel. Can I still respond on time?

Often yes, by appointing a Romanian lawyer and/or issuing a power of attorney where needed. Romanian consulates can perform notarial acts and e-Consulat is the official access point for many consular services.

Important: Always rely on the deadline written in the document and the procedure that applies to your case. The “common statutory baselines” below are provided to help you recognise what you’re looking at; they can differ by case type or special laws.

1) Identify the document (what did you receive?)

Start by identifying the issuer (court, bailiff, tax authority, police/contraventions, notary, etc.) and the document family. This determines which deadline matters, where you must respond, and what happens if you do nothing.

Common “document families” you may receive abroad

Court / civil case: summons, statement of claim/attachments, procedural orders, judgment, notice of hearing, request to file a statement of defence, appeal information.
Enforcement (bailiff): enforcement notice/summons (somație), attachment (poprire) notice, seizure/auction notices, enforcement costs.
Tax / customs: tax assessment/decision, administrative fiscal act, tax enforcement steps, payment notices.
Contraventions (fines): contravention report (proces-verbal), payment notice, enforcement steps.
Notarial: inheritance/certificate notices, notarial summons/notifications, requests to clarify heirship or assets.

2) Find the deadline section fast (where to look)

On the first page: look for “term/deadline”, “în termen de…”, “citație”, “apel”, “contestație”, “plângere”, “comunicare”.
At the end: “Calea de atac / Legal remedy”, “Termen / Time limit”, “Mențiuni / Notes”, “Sancțiunea decăderii / Loss of rights”.
Attachments: instructions, forms, or a separate “notice” page can contain the operative deadline.
Service details: the “date of service/communication” (data comunicării) often triggers the countdown.

3) Deadline table: what to check, where to find it, and what you risk

Document type (examples)	Which deadline to verify	Where you usually find it	What you risk if you miss it
Court summons / claim served	Time limit to file a defence/response (statement of defence)	Cover page, court instructions, or a procedural order	Procedural sanctions (e.g., you may lose the right to raise certain defences/evidence)
Judgment served	Appeal deadline	End of the judgment (“Calea de atac”) or separate notice	Judgment becomes final/enforceable (depending on the case); you lose ordinary appeal rights
Bailiff enforcement notice / attachment (garnishment)	Deadline to challenge enforcement acts (contestație la executare)	Bailiff’s notice and its “legal remedy” section	Enforcement continues; some challenges can become time-barred
Tax assessment/decision (authority)	Administrative tax challenge deadline (contestație)	“Legal remedies” section of the act + service proof	Act becomes final in the administrative phase; later court review can be harder/limited
Contravention report (fine)	Time limit to file a complaint (plângere contravențională)	Contravention report’s “legal remedies” section	Fine becomes enforceable; enforcement measures can follow
Notarial notice (succession/family)	Deadline to appear, file objections, submit documents	Notary notice body	Proceedings may continue without you; you may need separate steps later to contest/clarify

4) Common statutory baselines (so you recognise what you’re looking at)

These are examples of statutory baselines that often appear in Romanian documents. They help you sanity-check what you see in the notice, but they do not replace the deadline written in your document.

Statement of defence in civil cases: a common baseline is 25 days from service of the claim for the defendant to file a statement of defence (întâmpinare). Romanian law also includes a longer baseline for defendants domiciled abroad (see the consolidated Code of Civil Procedure, Art. 201).
Ordinary appeal (apel): a common baseline is 30 days from communication of the judgment, unless a special law provides otherwise (see CPC, Art. 468).
Challenge to enforcement (contestație la executare): a common baseline is 15 days, calculated from specific triggering events (see CPC, Art. 715).
Contravention complaint (fine): a common baseline is 15 days from communication/handing over of the contravention report (see OG 2/2001, Art. 31).
Administrative tax challenge: a common baseline is 45 days from communication; official instructions also describe a 3-month baseline if required legal-remedy elements are missing from the act (see official instructions).

5) How to calculate time limits (don’t lose days to misunderstandings)

Confirm the “date of communication” using the service proof (postal receipt, service certificate, bailiff’s communication proof, etc.).
Check the general rule-set on time limits in the Code of Civil Procedure (terms are generally counted so that the start day is excluded, and if the last day is non-working the deadline usually extends to the next working day).
Don’t mix regimes: civil procedural deadlines, enforcement deadlines, tax-administrative deadlines, and contravention deadlines each have their own rules and triggers.

6) What to do now: timeline (24 hours / 7 days / 30 days)

First 24 hours (triage)

Don’t ignore it. Take clear photos/scans of every page, including the envelope and any service receipt.
Identify the sender (court, bailiff, authority, notary) and the document family (Section 1).
Locate the deadline and write it down twice: (a) the date stated in the document, (b) the date you calculate from the service date.
Preserve proof of service (the exact communication date is often decisive for time limits).
Create a “case folder” (digital + physical): scan, name files with dates, keep originals safe.

Next 7 days (stabilise your position)

Translate accurately (if needed) or ask a lawyer/translator to confirm key terms: deadline, remedy, court/authority, case number.
Gather the core documents (Section 7) and write a short factual timeline of what happened.
Verify contact details only from official sources (the document, the institution website, or official portals such as portal.just.ro for courts).
If you need representation in Romania, start early: appointing a lawyer or issuing a power of attorney can take time abroad (Section 8).

Within 30 days (file/answer properly)

File the required response or remedy (defence, appeal, complaint, challenge) in the format and channel required by that institution.
Keep proof of submission: receipt, tracking, confirmation email, registry stamp, or portal confirmation.
Organise evidence: exhibits, invoices, correspondence, delivery proof, translations, authentication where needed.
Monitor the case using official portals and your representative in Romania.

7) Checklist: documents to keep and how to prepare them

Keep (at minimum)

The full document package (every page) + envelope/service proof.
ID/passport copy; company documents (registration details) if relevant.
Contracts, invoices, delivery/acceptance documents, payment proof.
Emails/messages relevant to the dispute (export to PDF where possible) + attachments.
Any prior notices, reminders, or settlement discussions.
Translations (sworn where required) and authentication/apostille documents if applicable.

Prepare them so they are usable in Romania

One file per item, named consistently: YYYY-MM-DD – Document – Counterparty – Amount.
Chronology sheet: one page listing events and the evidence that proves each.
Translation strategy: translate key items first (the claim, the judgment, the enforcement act, the tax decision, the contract).
Authentication: for foreign public documents, check if an apostille is needed (see the HCCH Apostille Convention).

8) Power of attorney and representation (when you cannot travel)

If you are abroad, you can often appoint a Romanian lawyer and/or issue a power of attorney for procedural steps, depending on the case. Romanian diplomatic missions and consular offices can perform notarial acts, including powers of attorney (see MAE consular services), and e-Consulat is the official access point for many consular services.

Practical tip: ask your Romanian lawyer what exact wording and scope are needed for your case (courts/enforcement/notary/tax).
Bring: ID, case details (number/court/authority), draft POA, and supporting documents required by the consulate.
Time factor: consular appointments and notarisation can take time—don’t leave this for the last week of your deadline.

9) How to communicate correctly with Romanian courts and authorities (from abroad)

Use official contact points only (from the document or the institution’s official website/portal).
Always include identifiers: case number, parties’ names, your contact details, and a clear request.
Use traceable channels: registered mail/courier with tracking, or official electronic channels accepted by that institution; keep proof.
Don’t send originals unless asked; keep originals safe and send certified copies/scan copies as advised by counsel.
If service/translation is an issue (especially cross-border service), consult counsel early; EU and international instruments may apply depending on where you live.

10) Frequently asked questions (real-life problems)

1) I received a Romanian summons abroad. Can the case proceed without me?

Yes. Civil proceedings can continue if service is legally considered valid and you do not respond. Identify the exact deadline and file a defence/response (or appoint a representative) immediately.

2) The deadline is unclear. What date starts the clock?

Usually the service/communication date shown in the service proof. Preserve the envelope and service receipt and calculate the term carefully.

3) I received a judgment. How long do I have to appeal?

A common baseline for an ordinary appeal is 30 days from communication of the judgment unless a special law provides otherwise. Always rely on the “legal remedies” section in your judgment and consult counsel quickly.

4) I received an enforcement notice from a Romanian bailiff. What is the urgent move?

Identify the enforcement act you need to challenge and calculate the relevant deadline from the correct trigger. A common baseline for challenging enforcement acts is 15 days (see CPC, Art. 715).

5) I got a Romanian fine (contravention report). What’s the usual complaint deadline?

A common baseline is 15 days from communication/handing over of the contravention report. Always verify what your report states and act quickly.

6) I received a Romanian tax act abroad. How long do I have to challenge it?

A common baseline is 45 days from communication for the administrative challenge, and official instructions describe a 3-month baseline in specific situations where legal-remedy information is missing from the act.

7) I can’t travel. Can I still respond on time?

Often yes—by appointing a Romanian lawyer and/or issuing a power of attorney where needed. Consular notarisation and scheduling can take time, so start early.

8) Should I email the court/authority directly?

Use only official contact points and follow the filing method indicated in the document or the institution’s official instructions. Keep proof of submission and confirmation of acceptance.

9) Do I need apostille/legalisation for documents I use in Romania?

Possibly. If you rely on foreign public documents in Romania, you may need an apostille under the Hague Apostille Convention (or other legalisation routes). Verify this before your filing deadline.

10) What’s the single biggest mistake people make?

Assuming “I didn’t sign anything, so it doesn’t count.” Cross-border service can be legally effective. Treat every served document as urgent until a lawyer confirms otherwise.