In 2021, a record number of 15,476 Moldovan birth certificates were requested for Moldovan children born abroad, the Public Services Agency reported.
The children were not necessarily born in 2021. Often, Moldovan nationals living abroad seek birth certificates and passports for their newborn children with some delay, or don’t do it at all if the second parent is a foreigner.
Before receiving a Moldovan civil status document based on a foreign one, the applicant must first transcribe the latter, i.e. enter it into Moldovan official records. Moldovans living abroad can request transcription of civil status documents at an accredited Moldovan diplomatic mission or consular office. When applying for transcription, a set of documents is required.
