The identity cards are issued by the Directorate for Persons Record and Databases Management, subordinated to the Romanian Ministry of Internal Affairs.

These documents were called bulletins registration office population and their contents match the information on your civil status, nickname, home address, occupation and semnalmentele holder (stature, hair, forehead, eyebrows, eyes, nose, mouth, chin, face, complexion special marks).

In time, identity card content has undergone some changes in that, since 1980 it could be entered two shelf life, by applying a second photo on the first closing date.

The new identity document was designed and released into the computerised system is intended to facilitate a number of advantages for both the state and the citizen.

In September 2024 it was announced that a new prototype of the electronic identity card, currently undergoing final tests at the Ministry of the Interior, will have an increased level of security compared to the one issued in the pilot project in Cluj.

In October 2019, the government rolled out an initiative for citizens to opt-in for an Electronic ID card with the aim of country-wide adoption by 2021.

[8] Romanian citizens living abroad can apply for issuing first ID documents provided by law with diplomatic missions or consular offices in that State.

The United Kingdom (including all dependent territories except Gibraltar), Greenland, and the non-European parts of the Netherlands do not accept the Romanian identity card for entry.