Official documents issued in the Republic of Moldova and Germany may now be used in each other’s countries with only an apostille, without the need for the legalization procedure. The measure enters into force following the Federal Republic of Germany’s withdrawal of the reservation it made in 2007 when the Republic of Moldova acceded to the Hague Apostille Convention, IPN reports.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs states that the decision was made following steps taken by Deputy Prime Minister Mihai Popsoi, Minister of Foreign Affairs, during his May 18–19 meeting with his German counterpart, Johann David Wadephul.

The ministry emphasizes that the new system will eliminate the need to visit multiple institutions or diplomatic missions to have documents legalized, which will reduce both the time required and the costs incurred by citizens. The simplified procedure will apply to official documents such as birth, marriage, divorce, and death certificates, criminal records, academic diplomas, and diploma supplements.

The Hague Convention on the Apostille entered into force for the Republic of Moldova on March 16, 2007. With its implementation in relations with Germany, the Republic of Moldova will benefit from the same simplified procedure for the recognition of official documents as it does with all 130 states and entities that are parties to the convention.