In Moldova, the process of obtaining an apostille follows the guidelines of the Hague Apostille Convention, which Moldova is a member of. The apostille certifies the authenticity of documents for international use in countries that are also parties to the Hague Convention.
Steps to Get an Apostille for Documents in Moldova:
- Determine the Document Type: Documents that can be apostilled in Moldova include:
- Birth certificates
- Marriage certificates
- Academic diplomas and transcripts
- Notarized documents (e.g., powers of attorney, affidavits)
- Court decisions and other official documents issued by state authorities
- Obtain the Document: The document must be issued by an official Moldovan authority. For example:
- Birth, marriage, or death certificates issued by the Public Services Agency (Serviciul de Stat pentru Imigrări).
- Academic diplomas issued by universities or educational institutions in Moldova.
- Notarized documents from licensed Moldovan notaries.
- Official documents issued by government bodies or courts.
- Notarization (if required): If your document requires notarization (such as powers of attorney, contracts, etc.), it must first be notarized by a licensed Moldovan notary public before it can be apostilled.
- Submit the Document to the Ministry of Justice: In Moldova, the Ministry of Justice is responsible for issuing apostilles. The Ministry acts as the central authority for apostille requests for documents issued by Moldovan authorities.You will need to submit your documents to the Ministry of Justice or one of its designated offices for apostille processing.
- Complete the Apostille Application Form: When submitting your document, you will need to complete an apostille application form. This form can typically be obtained from the Ministry of Justice or downloaded from their website.
- Pay the Apostille Fee: There is a processing fee for obtaining an apostille in Moldova. The fee can be paid at the time of submission.
- Processing Time:
- In-person submissions: Apostille processing typically takes 1–2 business days if submitted in person.
- By mail: If submitting by mail, processing may take 5–7 business days, depending on postal delivery times and volume.
- Collect the Apostilled Document: After the apostille is applied, you can collect the apostilled document from the Ministry of Justice, or it can be mailed back to you if you submitted your request by post.
Key Points:
- Moldova is a member of the Hague Apostille Convention, so documents apostilled in Moldova are valid in other countries that are also members of the convention and vice versa.
- The Ministry of Justice is the only authority authorized to issue apostilles for documents in Moldova.
- Foreign documents must be apostilled in their country of origin before they can be used in Moldova.
Documents and Information You Will Need:
- The original document you want to have apostilled.
- A completed apostille application form.
- Proof of identity (passport or national ID card may be required).
- Payment for the apostille fee.
Where to Go for Apostille in Moldova:
- Ministry of Justice of Moldova:
- Address: 6, Constantin Tănase Street, Chisinau, Republic of Moldova.
- Phone: +373 22 201 800
- Website: Ministry of Justice of Moldova – Apostille Information
For the most up-to-date information on fees, application forms, and processing times, it is best to contact the Ministry of Justice directly or visit their official website.