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Document legalisation

From notarial legalisation of the translation to consular super-legalisation for countries outside the Hague Convention. We guide you through the entire chain — certified translation, authentication and delivery across Moldova.

Upload your documentFrequently asked questions

What legalising a document means

Legalisation is the procedure by which an official document gains legal recognition beyond the institution that issued it — whether within the country or in another state. In practice, the term covers two different things: notarial legalisation of the translator's signature (so that the translation is accepted by the authorities) and consular or diplomatic legalisation (so that the document is valid in a country that does not recognise the apostille).

Choosing the right path depends solely on the country of destination. For member states of the 1961 Hague Convention, the apostille is sufficient — a single stamp automatically recognised in over 125 states. For countries that are not party to the Convention, consular super-legalisation is required, a chain of successive authentications that ends at the embassy or consulate of the destination state.

Whatever the path, a legalised translation into the language of the destination country is almost always required as well. This is where tradu.online comes in: we carry out the certified translation, legalise it notarially and guide you through each step of the legalisation chain, with a fixed price communicated from the start.

Apostille or consular legalisation?

The first question is always: in which country will the document be used? The answer determines the procedure.

Hague member countries

The Hague apostille

If the destination country is party to the 1961 Hague Convention (the entire EU, the USA, the United Kingdom, Switzerland, Turkey, China, the United Arab Emirates and over 125 states in total), the apostille is sufficient. It is a simplified procedure, with a single stamp.

  1. 1The document is apostilled at the competent institution (in Moldova — the Ministry of Justice, Apostille Directorate).
  2. 2The legalised translation into the language of the destination country is ordered after apostillation.
  3. 3The document is ready to use, with no additional consular visas.

See the detailed guide on the apostille and the list of member states on our dedicated page.

Countries outside the Convention

Consular legalisation (super-legalisation)

If the destination country is NOT party to the Convention (e.g. Egypt, the Emirates before 2022, Jordan, Libya, Vietnam, Cuba and others), the apostille does not apply. The document must be authenticated in a chain, ending at the diplomatic mission of the destination state.

  1. 1Authentication at a notary or at the issuing authority (as applicable).
  2. 2Legalisation of the signature at the Ministry of Justice or at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA).
  3. 3Final super-legalisation at the embassy / consulate of the destination country in Chișinău.

Costs and timelines are higher — consular fees usually range between 30 and 150 EUR per document.

The consular legalisation chain, step by step

For countries outside the Hague Convention, authentications are carried out in strict order. Skipping a step leads to rejection of the document.

1
Step 1

Notary / issuing authority

The original document or the translation is authenticated at a notary. For state records (civil status, education), the process starts at the issuing institution.

2
Step 2

Ministry of Justice / MFA

The signature of the notary or the official is legalised. Notarial documents go through the Ministry of Justice; those issued by central authorities — through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

3
Step 3

Embassy of the destination country

Final super-legalisation is carried out at the embassy or consulate of the state where the document will be used, present in Chișinău or accredited for Moldova.

4
Step 4

Legalised translation

The certified translation into the language of the destination country, legalised notarially, accompanies the super-legalised document. tradu.online carries it out and delivers it to your door.

Notarial legalisation of the translation

The most common type of legalisation requested daily is not the consular one, but notarial legalisation of the translation. It is the procedure by which a notary public officially confirms that the signature of the authorised translator on the document is authentic. The notary does NOT check the linguistic content — they only guarantee the identity and status of the translator. The accuracy of the translation remains the responsibility of the authorised translator.

An important detail: the notary legalises the signature only if the translator has previously deposited their signature specimen at that notary office. If the translation is made by a translator who does not work with the chosen notary, legalisation will be refused. That is why tradu.online automatically routes the file to an authorised translator with a specimen deposited at a partner notary office — eliminating the step where you search for a compatible notary yourself.

For documents intended for internal use (a private employer, a business partner), a simple certified translation with the translator's stamp, without a notary, is often sufficient. Banks, courts, embassies and civil status offices, however, almost always require a notarially legalised translation. Ask the destination institution EXACTLY what it requires before ordering.

Details about notarial services

Which documents are legalised

We legalise and translate any official document. Here are the most common categories.

Civil status records

  • Birth certificate
  • Marriage certificate
  • Death certificate
  • Divorce certificate

Educational documents

  • Baccalaureate and bachelor's diplomas
  • Transcripts / diploma supplements
  • Study certificates
  • Qualification attestations and certificates

Legal and notarial documents

  • Powers of attorney and notarial declarations
  • Civil and commercial contracts
  • Court judgments
  • Criminal record certificate

Personal and medical documents

  • Passport and identity card
  • Employment record book
  • Medical certificates and test results
  • Bank statements and income certificates

Timelines and price transparency

Indicative timelines in Moldova for 2026. The exact price for your document is quoted on request — with no hidden costs.

ServiceStandard timelineUrgent service
Certified translation (per page)1–2 business daysSame day
Notarial legalisation of the signature15–60 minutes (if the translation is ready)Priority
Apostille (Ministry of Justice)3 business days1 day or 4 hours (super-urgent)
Consular super-legalisation2–4 weeksDepends on the embassy

Official fees: notarial legalisation fee 40–120 MDL/copy, apostille 200 MDL/document. The certified translation is quoted on request, on your document. For multiple copies of the same document, the notarial fee per additional copy drops by 30–50%.

How tradu.online helps you

We take your scanned or photographed document and manage the entire chain — from translation to legalisation and delivery.

Quote on request, no surprises

Send us the document and we prepare a firm quote on it, free of charge. The price is communicated in full before you pay — with no hidden costs.

Expert translation + AI verification

Translators authorised by the Ministry of Justice, with an additional AI accuracy check. Legal terminology is applied consistently.

Guidance through the legalisation chain

We tell you exactly which steps are needed for your destination country — apostille or super-legalisation — and route the file to a compatible notary.

Fast delivery across Moldova

You first receive the scanned version by e-mail, then the original on paper by courier or hand delivery, anywhere in the country. Timelines of 24–48 hours for standard documents.

Frequently asked questions

The most common questions about document legalisation.

What is the difference between an apostille and consular legalisation?
They are two procedures for different purposes. The apostille is a single stamp, valid in all member states of the Hague Convention (over 125 countries). Consular legalisation (super-legalisation) applies to countries that are NOT party to the Convention and involves a chain of authentications: notary → Ministry of Justice or MFA → embassy of the destination country. The choice depends solely on the country where the document will be used.
What is notarial legalisation of the translation?
It is the procedure by which a notary public confirms that the signature of the authorised translator on the translation is authentic. The notary does not check the correctness of the translation — they only guarantee the identity and status of the translator, in accordance with notarial legislation. The fidelity of the text remains the responsibility of the authorised translator.
Why can't I go to any notary for legalisation?
The notary legalises the translator's signature only if the translator has previously deposited their signature specimen at that office. Each translator usually works with a few notary offices. That is why it is faster to order the translation and legalisation through a service that already manages these relationships — we automatically route the file to a compatible notary.
My document is going to a country that does not recognise the apostille. What do I do?
You need consular super-legalisation. The procedure is: authentication at a notary or the issuing authority, then legalisation of the signature at the Ministry of Justice or at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, then final super-legalisation at the embassy or consulate of the destination country in Chișinău. The process usually takes 2–4 weeks, and consular fees range between 30 and 150 EUR per document.
Should I do the translation before or after the apostille?
After. The apostille is applied to the original document, and the legalised translation is ordered afterwards, so that it also includes the text of the apostille. If you translate before apostillation, the apostille will not be included in the translation and you will have to redo it.
Does a Moldovan document need an apostille to be used in Romania?
No. Between the Republic of Moldova and Romania there is a bilateral Treaty on legal assistance (1996) that replaces the apostille. Official Moldovan documents are recognised directly in Romania (and vice versa), with a legalised translation into the destination language being sufficient.
Do I need to be present at the notary for the legalisation of the translation?
No. Legalisation concerns solely the translator's signature, not yours. You can order online, the translator takes the file to the notary on your behalf, and the finalised document is delivered by courier or by hand. Your presence is required only for powers of attorney or declarations that you sign in person.
How long does the entire legalisation process take?
For a standard notarially legalised translation: 1–3 business days. With an apostille, another 1–3 days are added. For full consular super-legalisation: 2–4 weeks, depending on the embassy. For urgent documents we offer an accelerated service with same-day or 24-hour delivery.

Related services

The Hague apostille

Complete guide: which documents, which institutions, timelines and costs for apostillation.

Notarial services

Notarial legalisation, certification of copies and signatures for translations.

Legalised translations

Certified translations with legal value for Moldova and Romania.

Order your document legalisation

Send us your document and receive a firm quote, free of charge. Certified translation, notarial legalisation and complete guidance through the legalisation chain, with delivery across Moldova.

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