Civil status documents
Birth, marriage, divorce or death certificates — required for marriage, family reunification or citizenship abroad.
The Hague Apostille
A complete guide to apostilling documents from the Republic of Moldova, plus certified translation online. We explain what an apostille is, which documents need one, and how we help you from start to finish.
What is the Hague Apostille?
An internationally recognised stamp
The apostille is a square stamp that confirms the authenticity of the signature and seal on a public document — not the content of the document, but the fact that it was issued by a real authority. Once apostilled, the document is valid in any member state of the Hague Convention of 5 October 1961, with no further consular formalities.
The Republic of Moldova is a party to the Convention
The Hague Convention has been in force for the Republic of Moldova since 16 March 2007. This means that a birth certificate or a diploma apostilled in Chișinău is recognised in over 125 states — from the European Union to the USA, Canada, the United Arab Emirates or Japan.
Who issues the apostille in Moldova
In the Republic of Moldova the apostille is issued by the Ministry of Justice (Apostille Department) in Chișinău. Civil status documents are issued by the Public Services Agency (ASP), and the apostille application can also be submitted online through the e-Apostille platform. The system is centralised: every type of document is processed at the same counter.
Which documents are apostilled
The apostille is applied to public documents. Here are the most common categories that Moldovans have apostilled.
Diplomas and educational documents
Baccalaureate, bachelor's and master's diplomas, transcripts and supplements — for studies or employment abroad.
Criminal record certificate
The certificate of integrity / criminal record — required for immigration, employment or obtaining long-stay visas.
Notarial documents
Powers of attorney, declarations, consents, certified copies — the apostille is applied to the notary's signature.
Court decisions
Judgments and certificates issued by courts or bailiffs, used in international proceedings.
Medical documents and other certificates
Medical certificates and attestations issued by authorities — when the destination state requires them apostilled.
How to obtain the apostille — step by step
The standard procedure in the Republic of Moldova, from the original document to a document usable abroad.
Step 1
Check the document
Make sure the document is issued on the current form and is legible. Older certificates may require an updated duplicate from the Public Services Agency.
Step 2
Obtain the preliminary endorsements
Diplomas must first be endorsed by the educational institution / relevant ministry. Notarial documents are prepared at the notary before apostilling.
Step 3
Submit to the Ministry of Justice
Submit the original document, the standard application form and proof of fee payment — at the counter or online through the e-Apostille platform.
Step 4
Collect the apostilled document
Under the standard procedure the apostille is issued within a few working days; there is also an urgent procedure for an extra fee. The stamp is applied to the back or to an attached allonge.
Step 5
Order the certified translation
Only after apostilling should you order the certified translation — that way the apostille is included in the translated text and fully recognised in the destination country.
When you need both an apostille AND a translation
For most international uses, the apostille is only the first step. The second is the certified (legalised) translation into the language of the destination country. The golden rule: apostille first, then translate — the apostille must be included in the translation. Here are the related services you may need.
Certified / legalised translation
Translation of the apostilled document, carried out by a translator authorised by the Ministry of Justice, with a signature and stamp that carry legal validity.
View the serviceNotarial legalisation
Notarial authentication of the translator's signature, required by some institutions in addition to the certified translation.
Notary detailsConsular legalisation
For countries that are NOT members of the Hague Convention, consular super-legalisation is required instead of the apostille.
View legalisationIndicative timelines and fees
The official state fees for the apostille in the Republic of Moldova. At tradu.online the translation price is quoted on request, with no hidden costs.
| Service | Timeline | Indicative fee |
|---|---|---|
| Apostille — standard procedure | a few working days | from 200 MDL / document |
| Apostille — urgent procedure | 1 day or same day | increased fee |
| e-Apostille (online) | standard timeline | state fee + online commission |
| Certified translation (tradu.online) | 24–48 hours | on request, transparent quote |
Important: for documents issued in Moldova and used in Romania (or vice versa) an apostille is NOT required — under the 1996 RO–MD bilateral treaty a certified translation is sufficient. State fees may vary; check the current values with the Ministry of Justice.
How tradu.online helps you
We do not apply the apostille stamp ourselves — that remains within the competence of the Ministry of Justice — but we guide you through the entire process and take over the translation part, where most mistakes and delays occur.
Quote on request for the translation — send us the apostilled document and we'll come back with the cost and the timeline.
Certified translation by professional translators, with AI-assisted quality checks.
We tell you which order to follow — apostille first, then translation — so you don't have to redo your documents.
Delivery throughout Moldova, including hand delivery in Chișinău; the scan arrives by email.
No hidden costs — you receive the full quote before you pay.
Frequently asked questions about the apostille
The most common questions about the Hague Apostille in Moldova.
What is the apostille and what does it confirm?
The apostille is a standardised stamp that confirms the authenticity of the signature and seal on a public document, making it valid in the other member states of the 1961 Hague Convention. The apostille does not confirm the content of the document, only that it was legally issued by a competent authority.
Who issues the apostille in the Republic of Moldova?
In Moldova the apostille is issued by the Ministry of Justice (Apostille Department) in Chișinău. Civil status documents are issued by the Public Services Agency, and the apostille application can be submitted at the counter or online through the e-Apostille platform.
Which documents can be apostilled?
Public documents: civil status certificates (birth, marriage, divorce, death), diplomas and educational documents, the criminal record certificate, notarial documents (powers of attorney, declarations, certified copies) and court decisions. Passports, identity cards and purely commercial documents cannot be apostilled.
Do I need an apostille for a Moldovan document used in Romania?
No. Under the 1996 bilateral treaty between Romania and the Republic of Moldova, Moldovan public documents are recognised directly in Romania (and vice versa) without an apostille — a certified translation is sufficient. The apostille remains necessary if the document will later be used in a third state.
Is the translation done before or after apostilling?
After. The general recommendation is to apostille the original document first and only then order the certified translation. That way the apostille is included in the translated text and the document is fully recognised abroad. A translation made before apostilling usually has to be redone.
Does the apostille have an expiry date?
The apostille itself does not expire. However, the document it is applied to may have a limited validity: a criminal record certificate is usually valid for 6 months, civil status certificates are frequently required to be no older than 3–6 months, and medical certificates have a short validity. Check the requirements of the destination institution.
What do I do if the destination country is not a member of the Hague Convention?
For states that are not parties to the Convention, the apostille does not apply — consular super-legalisation is required: the document is legalised successively by the authorities in Moldova and then by the embassy or consulate of the destination country. The process is longer and more costly than apostilling.
How long does the apostille take and how much does it cost in Moldova?
Under the standard procedure the apostille is issued within a few working days, with an indicative state fee from 200 MDL per document; there is also an urgent procedure for an increased fee. The exact values may vary — check them with the Ministry of Justice. You order the certified translation separately at tradu.online — we quote it on your document and deliver within 24–48 hours.
Do you have a document to apostille and translate?
Send us your document and receive a quote for the certified translation. We guide you through the apostille steps, and we deliver the translation within 24–48 hours, throughout Moldova.
Request a quote