Definition of a Moldova Birth Certificate

A Moldova birth certificate is an official document confirming a person’s birth and its registration with the civil status registration authorities (ZAGS) of the Republic of Moldova. It is the primary identity document for a child until a passport is obtained and is required for numerous legal procedures.

Types of Certificates: Original and Duplicate

The original certificate is issued upon the initial registration of a child’s birth.

A duplicate certificate is a reissued document with the same legal force as the original. It is necessary in cases of loss, damage to the original, or if a new-format document is required for use abroad.

Certificate Samples by Year and Their Validity

The format of certificates has changed over time, reflecting historical and legislative changes in the country. It is important to understand the differences, especially when using documents abroad.

Soviet-era birth certificate (MSSR)

Issued before Moldova gained independence. Often had a booklet form, were filled out by hand, and could contain entries in several languages. For international use, they usually require replacement with a new Moldovan birth certificate.

Soviet-era birth certificate

Old-style certificate. MSSR (not suitable for apostille)

Restoration of old birth certificates from the Soviet Union era, as well as earlier periods

New Moldovan birth certificate (modern format)

Issued after independence, on standardized forms with security features. Contains the personal identification number (IDNP) and information in Romanian and Russian. This new Moldovan birth certificate is the primary document for international use.

New-style birth certificate – Moldova

Content and security features

Modern birth certificates in Moldova contain the following key information:

• Personal identification number (IDNP).
• Last name, first name, date and place of birth of the child.
• Last names, first names and nationality of the parents.
• Date of issue and serial number of the birth record.
• Gender of the child.

The forms are printed typographically and are equipped with various security features (e.g., watermarks, microtext, guilloche patterns) to prevent forgery. Civil status records are authentic state documents.

Birth Certificate Moldova and Birth Certificate Moldova

Birth Certificate Moldova (medical certificate) is a temporary document issued by a medical institution after childbirth. It serves as the basis for the initial registration of the birth with the Civil Registry Office and for obtaining a permanent Birth Certificate Moldova. The medical certificate does not have independent legal force for most civil actions.

Birth Certificate Moldova is a colloquial or general term often used to refer to the official “Birth Certificate” (certificat de naștere) in the Republic of Moldova. The legally correct and officially used name for the document is “Birth Certificate.”

Document Processing

A birth certificate is necessary to obtain the following documents:

• Passport of a citizen of the Republic of Moldova (both domestic and international).
• Identity card (ID card).
• Marriage or divorce certificate.
• Child documents (for example, for obtaining a medical insurance policy or enrolling in educational institutions).

Legal transactions

A birth certificate may be required for:

• Inheritance processing — confirming relationship with the deceased.
• Real estate transactions (purchase and sale, donation, lease).
• Registration of property ownership rights.
• Drafting contracts (for example, when obtaining a loan or opening a bank account).

Receiving pensions and social benefits

To apply for a pension or other social benefits, a birth certificate is necessary to confirm age and civil status.

Restoring lost documents

If you have lost your passport, ID card, or other important documents, a birth certificate can help confirm your identity and restore them.

Obtaining citizenship

A birth certificate is a key document when:

• Obtaining Romanian citizenship — to confirm origin and family ties.
• Applying for citizenship of another country — as proof of place and date of birth.

Resolving family matters

A birth certificate may be needed for:

• Establishing guardianship or trusteeship.
• Arranging child support.
• Resolving inheritance disputes.

Who can obtain a birth certificate?

Initial issuance (for a newborn):

• The child’s parents (one or both).
• Relatives of the parents (if the parents are unable).
• A person authorized by the parents.
• The administration of the medical facility where the birth occurred.
• The guardianship authority.

Obtaining a duplicate:

• The record holder (the person in whose name the certificate was issued).
• First- and second-degree relatives (upon confirmation of kinship).
• Legal representatives (guardians, trustees).
• Authorized representatives with a notarized power of attorney.

Ways to submit an application

• In person: At civil registry offices, mayoralties, or Moldovan diplomatic/consular missions (for births abroad).
• Online: Through the portal of the Public Services Agency (ASP) at www.asp.gov.md or www.servicii.gov.md.
• By proxy: To our employee.

Required documents for obtaining a certificate

For initial birth registration:

• Birth declaration.
• Medical certificate confirming the child’s birth.
• Parents’ identity documents.
• Parents’ marriage certificate (if applicable).
• Other documents depending on the situation (paternity establishment application, etc.).

To obtain a duplicate:

• Applicant’s identity document.
• Documents confirming kinship (if applicable).
• Notarized power of attorney (if submitted by a representative).
• Birth details (full name, date, place).

Timelines and cost of bizmoldova.com services

Initial birth registration is free of charge on the day of application. The application must be submitted within 3 months of the child’s birth, otherwise a fine may apply.

bizmoldova.com will help you obtain a Moldova birth certificate or its duplicate in the shortest possible time:

bizmoldova.com will obtain the document for you in the shortest possible time from the relevant civil registry offices in Chisinau or other cities of the Republic of Moldova.

Translation and Notarization Services for Birth Certificates

If necessary, we will translate your Moldovan birth certificate into the required language and assist with notarization.

We provide birth certificate translation in the shortest possible time. Translation languages: English, French, German, Turkish, Serbian, Croatian, Italian, Romanian, Russian, Czech, and other European languages.

The cost of translation ranges from 50 to 400 lei per document, depending on the language of translation. Notarized certification of a birth certificate translation will cost between 30 and 40 Moldovan lei.

Birth Certificate: Obtaining, Consular Legalization, and Apostille in Other Countries

We also provide services for obtaining, legalizing, apostilling, and translating birth certificates in other countries, including:

• Russia
• Romania
• Ukraine
• Kazakhstan
• Uzbekistan
• Belarus
• Tajikistan
• Kyrgyzstan
• Armenia
• Georgia
• Estonia
• Latvia
• Lithuania

Countries Moldovans Frequently Travel To: Birth Certificate Requirements

Moldovans often travel for work or emigrate to the following countries. Below are the general requirements for a Moldovan birth certificate for these countries:

• Russia: A notarized translation into Russian is usually required. An apostille is not needed due to bilateral legal assistance agreements.
• Romania: Transcription (re-registration) of the Moldovan birth record with Romanian civil registry authorities is required, after which a Romanian birth certificate is issued. An apostille is not required.
• Italy: An apostille and a sworn translation into Italian are required.
• France: An apostille and a sworn translation into French are required.
• Germany: Consular legalization may be required for some documents (historically). It is recommended to check with the German Embassy. Moldovan civil status documents in Romanian, not older than one year, may be legalized by the German Embassy.
• United Kingdom: Apostille required. Translation into English if the document is not in English.
• Portugal: Apostille and sworn translation into Portuguese required.
• Spain: Apostille and sworn translation into Spanish required.
• Israel: Apostille and notarized translation into Hebrew required.

Important note: Document requirements may change. It is always recommended to verify current information with the consulate or embassy of the relevant country before submitting documents.

Recognition of Moldovan Documents in Transnistria

In the territory of Transnistria, its own de facto regulations are in effect. To use a Moldovan birth certificate, a notarized copy and/or a translation into Russian performed by local notaries or translation bureaus in Transnistria is generally required. It is important to understand that translations and certifications performed in Moldova may not be automatically recognized in Transnistria, and vice versa.

Transnistrian authorities may require verification of the authenticity of a Moldovan document through their internal procedures, which may vary depending on the specific institution and the purpose of using the document.

Cases Involving Russian Passports

Citizens who hold Russian passports and Moldovan birth certificates issued in the Republic of Moldova may need to confirm the legitimacy of the Moldovan document for Transnistrian authorities. In such cases, the following is often required:

• Obtaining a duplicate of the Moldovan certificate in the new format (if the original is old or lost).
• Performing a translation of the Moldovan certificate into Russian.
• Notarization of the translation.

However, even after these procedures, recognition of such a document in Transnistria will depend on the internal rules of local authorities and the current relations between Chișinău and Tiraspol. We recommend clarifying the current requirements directly with the institutions in Transnistria where the document is intended to be used.

Cases with English-language entries

Moldovan birth certificates are issued in Romanian and Russian. If the document contains entries in English (for example, if it was a translation made for use in other countries), this may raise additional questions when submitting it in Transnistria. For Transnistrian authorities, the most relevant and required version will be a translation into Russian.

Any entries in English that are not part of the official form or its standard bilingual content may require additional clarification or a separate translation, certified in accordance with Transnistrian norms.

Dual birth registration

Some citizens born in Transnistria may have received a birth certificate from the de facto authorities of Transnistria and then registered the birth with the civil registry offices of the Republic of Moldova, obtaining a Moldovan certificate. In such cases, to use the Moldovan certificate in Transnistria, confirmation of its compliance with local requirements may be necessary.

Conversely, for Transnistrian documents to be recognized in Moldova, you must apply to the authorized civil registry offices of the Republic of Moldova (e.g., in Varnița, Anenii Noi) with a document issued by local Transnistrian civil registry authorities and an identity document issued by the competent authorities of the Republic of Moldova or another state.

Procedure for correcting errors in a birth certificate in Moldova

If errors, inaccuracies, or incomplete information are found in the certificate or civil status record (e.g., incorrect date of birth, name, surname, typos, incorrect form completion), this renders the document invalid. To correct it, you must contact the civil registry office at your place of residence or at the place where the record was made. If there is no dispute (e.g., an obvious typo), the civil registry office will make the corrections and issue a new duplicate. In the event of a dispute (e.g., data discrepancies requiring proof), the matter can only be resolved through the court.

Procedure for making amendments to a birth certificate in the Republic of Moldova

To make changes to a Moldova birth certificate (e.g., change of surname, first name, parents’ nationality), an application is submitted to the Civil Status Office at the applicant’s place of residence. Such changes are made in the absence of a dispute. If there is a dispute, the matter is examined in court. bizmoldova.com can assist with this process.

Loss of Civil Status Records or Certificates

If a certificate is lost or damaged, a duplicate is issued. If the registers (record books) themselves are lost, the civil status record may be restored upon application.

Birth on the Left Bank of the Dniester and the Municipality of Bender

The fact of birth and registration in these localities may be certified based on a document of birth issued by the local Civil Status Offices of these territories. The applicant applies to the authorized Civil Status Offices of the Republic of Moldova (e.g., in Varnița, Anenii Noi) with this document and an identity card issued by the competent authorities of the Republic of Moldova or another state.

Other Complex Scenarios

Such cases include: submitting a birth application after the established 3-month deadline, registering the birth of a found/abandoned child. In these situations, additional documents or court decisions may be required.

Key Legislative Acts

Competent Authorities

• Public Services Agency (ASP): The central body responsible for registering civil status acts.
• Civil Registry Offices: Territorial subdivisions of the ASP.
• Mayoralties of Localities: Carry out registration in localities where there are no civil registry offices.
• Diplomatic Missions and Consular Offices of the Republic of Moldova: For Moldovan citizens abroad.
• Ministry of Justice: Provides oversight and is responsible for the apostille procedure.

What to pay attention to when ordering a birth certificate from Moldova through agencies and translation bureaus located not in Moldova, but abroad:

Keep in mind that these agencies are intermediaries and do not have sufficient information or competent staff to handle matters in Moldova.

Let’s call this our review of the “Gulfstream” translation bureau. This agency gives recommendations without having the necessary information about documents in Moldova. For example, we quote: “you can obtain duplicates of the relevant documents only from the Civil Registry Office in Moldova that issued them.” But this is not true!

Trust those who have experience, trust the professionals! We have been working in this field for 19 years.