Good to know
- Who this is for: Moldovan citizens who had a birth, marriage, divorce, name change or death registered abroad.
- Transcription is done at the Moldovan embassy or consulate in the country where you are. It costs 15 euro and takes 30 calendar days.
- Declare it within 6 months of coming back to Moldova, or of receiving the certificate from abroad.
- A different situation? Ask us about your case.
Steps, in order
- You do this
Check that the document must be transcribed
Full guide: Transcribing foreign civil status documents into the Moldovan register →checked 19 October 2026Documents made after 17 August 2001 must be transcribed. Birth, marriage, divorce, change of name and death documents can be. Older documents can be transcribed if you wish.
- You do this
Get the foreign document ready
Full guide: Transcribing foreign civil status documents into the Moldovan register →checked 19 October 2026Full guide: Apostille for Moldovan documents →checked 19 October 2026Full guide: Consular legalisation (super-legalisation) of a document →checked 19 October 2026The transcription is based on a copy, extract or certificate made abroad and legalised as required. For some states no apostille or legalisation is needed. A legalised document must be translated into Romanian and notarised.
- You do this
Apply for the transcription at the embassy or consulate
Full guide: Transcribing foreign civil status documents into the Moldovan register →checked 19 October 2026Apply at the Moldovan embassy or consulate in the country where you are, and pay the consular fee. A consular officer examines the application.
- You do this
Marrying abroad? Get a certificate of capacity to marry first
Full guide: Certificate of capacity to marry (for marrying abroad) →checked 19 October 2026It shows the foreign authorities that you are legally free to marry. It is valid for 6 months.
Divorcing from abroad
Full guide: Register a divorce in Moldova →checked 19 October 2026A Moldovan embassy or consulate can register a divorce on the joint declaration of both spouses.
A child born abroad
Full guide: Register your child's birth in Moldova →checked 19 October 2026A consulate can register the birth only if the medical certificate was issued by a Moldovan medical institution for a person born in Moldova. Otherwise the foreign birth document is transcribed.
- Not covered here
Death, inheritance and other documents
Ask about your case →These are not covered on this page.