Can I skip getting my child an ID at 14?
No: at 14, the ID card is mandatory. Within 15 days of turning 14, the minor must request the ID document from the community population records service. Parents or legal representatives who don't do this on time are fined. The request can't be filed before the day the minor turns 14, but must be filed within the 15 days from that date. The ID document includes the identity card, the provisional identity card or the electronic identity card (CEI). A perk: the first electronic identity card is issued free at the first request, for anyone at least 14, until 30 June 2026 (the state covers the cost from EU PNRR funds). In short: an ID at 14 is mandatory, with a 15-day deadline.
📋 The rules
- ID card mandatory from 14
- Deadline: 15 days from turning 14
- The request isn't filed before the day of turning 14
- Parents/legal representatives are liable
- First electronic ID free until 30 June 2026
🔓 Exceptions
- Provisional identity card: when some documents are missing
- Electronic ID (CEI): free at first issue (PNRR deadline)
- Valid ID documents: stay valid until expiry
⚠️ Penalties & fines
Parents or legal representatives who don't request, within the legal 15-day deadline, the ID document for a minor who has turned 14 are fined between 500 and 1,000 lei. Beyond the fine, the lack of an ID document leaves the minor unable to identify themselves and can cause practical problems (at school, exams, travel). To stay compliant: book in advance at the population records service, prepare the needed documents (the minor's birth certificate, the parents' documents, proof of residence) and file the request within the 15 days of turning 14. If you meet the deadline, take advantage of the free first electronic identity card.
📎 Official sources
- GEO 97/2005 on population records and identity documents →
- Directorate for Population Records (DEPABD) →
- Electronic identity card · official information →
❓ Frequently asked
Is an ID at 14 mandatory?
Yes. On turning 14, the minor must request the ID document, within 15 days of that date, from the community population records service. Parents or legal representatives are liable for meeting this duty within the legal deadline.
By when must the ID be obtained?
Within 15 days of turning 14. The request can't be filed before the day the minor actually turns 14, but must be filed within the 15 days from that date. Missing the deadline brings a fine for the parents or legal representatives.
What fine do I risk for a late ID?
Parents or legal representatives who don't request the ID document within the 15-day deadline are fined between 500 and 1,000 lei. Beyond the fine, the lack of an ID prevents the minor from identifying themselves and can cause practical problems at school or when travelling.
Is the electronic ID card free?
Yes, at first issue, under certain conditions. The electronic identity card (CEI) is issued free at the first request for anyone at least 14, until 30 June 2026, with the state covering the cost from EU PNRR funds. It's a useful perk for those getting their first ID.
What documents do I need for my child's ID?
Usually you need the minor's birth certificate, the parents' ID documents and proof of residence, along with the standard request form. Book in advance at the population records service, since the request must be filed within the 15 days of turning 14, to avoid the fine.
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