Criminal record certificate is an official document issued by the internal affairs authorities confirming that, at the time of its issue, a person has no criminal convictions and is not wanted in connection with criminal proceedings, or that any previous convictions have been spent.
A criminal record certificate may be required in a number of situations, including:
- Applying for a visa
- Applying for a temporary residence permit
- Applying for a residence permit
- Applying for citizenship
- Taking up employment
- Applying to an educational institution
- Background checks for adoption or guardianship
- Providing evidence in court proceedings
- Getting married
What is a Criminal Record Certificate in Moldova?
The full official name of the criminal record certificate in Moldova is the “Certificate of Criminal Records of Individuals and Legal Entities” (“Cazierului contravenţional pentru persoanele fizice şi juridice”). The document is often referred to simply as a “criminal record certificate”.
The issuance of criminal record certificates in Moldova is governed by Order No. 306 of the Ministry of Internal Affairs dated 26 June 2023, “On the Approval of the Instructions on the Procedure for Issuing Criminal Record Certificates, Detailed Criminal Record Certificates, Certificates of Offences and Other Records by the Information Technology Service of the Ministry of Internal Affairs”, as well as other regulatory acts.
A criminal record certificate is a paper or electronic document generated on the basis of databases maintained by the Information Technology Service of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Moldova.
At the applicant’s request, a criminal record certificate in Moldova may be issued in one of the following forms:
- Certificate confirming the absence of a criminal record (issued in Romanian, Russian, English or any official language of the European Union);
- Detailed criminal record certificate (issued in Romanian or Russian);
- General certificate of administrative offences (issued in Romanian);
- Certificate of administrative offences relating to the loss of number plates (issued in Romanian);
- Certificate of administrative offences relating to the loss of a vehicle registration certificate (issued in Romanian);
- Certificate of administrative offences relating to road traffic accidents involving the individual (issued in Romanian);
- Certificate of administrative offences relating to road traffic accidents involving the vehicle (issued in Romanian).
In addition, there is a simplified version of the Moldovan criminal record certificate, which is issued by Moldovan consular offices abroad.
How to obtain a Criminal Record Certificate in Moldova
Criminal record certificates in Moldova can be requested through the following channels:
- Via the EVO service;
- At the one-stop service centre of the Information Technology Service of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Moldova (Criminal Record Certificate Issuing Department).
Electronic Certificate
An electronic certificate can be requested via the EVO service using an individual identification number (IDNP). Once issued, it can be downloaded from the applicant’s personal account.
Paper Certificate
A paper certificate can be requested via the EVO service using an individual identification number (IDNP). It can then be collected at the one-stop service centre of the Information Technology Service of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Moldova or at a local police inspectorate, or delivered via MDelivery. If the applicant does not have an IDNP, the certificate can only be requested in person at the one-stop service centre of the Information Technology Service of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Moldova.
Where an application is submitted in paper form, documents other than detailed criminal record certificates are printed on A5 paper featuring special security markings, a unique serial number and a barcode that displays the corresponding unique number when scanned. Detailed criminal record certificates are printed on A4 or A5 paper and feature special security markings, a unique serial number and a barcode that displays the corresponding unique number when scanned.
Certificate by power of attorney
A criminal record certificate can also be obtained by an authorised representative acting under a power of attorney. When submitting the application, the representative must present their identity document and the document authorising them to act on behalf of the applicant (the power of attorney), and provide copies of both that document and the identity document of the person they represent.
To apply for a criminal record certificate via the EVO service, you need to:
- Obtain an individual identification number (IDNP), or use your existing one;
- Log in to the EVO service;
- Submit an application by clicking the “Solicită” button;
- Pay for the service via MPay;
- Check the status of your application;
- Obtain the certificate through your MCabinet personal account (if you requested an electronic certificate), or collect it at the one-stop service centre, a local police inspectorate, or have it delivered via MDelivery (if you requested a paper certificate).
To apply at the one-stop service centre of the Information Technology Service of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Moldova (if you do not have an IDNP):
- Visit the one-stop service centre in person;
- Verify your identity;
- Submit an application;
- Pay the applicable fee;
- Collect your certificate.
Certificate through a consulate
To obtain a criminal record certificate through a consulate or the consular section of the Embassy of Moldova abroad, you must provide the following documents:
- Passport or birth certificate;
- Proof of payment of the applicable fee;
- Application form.
When receiving a criminal record certificate, carefully check all personal details. Any error or typographical mistake will render the document invalid.
How to verify the authenticity of a Criminal Record Certificate
The authenticity of a criminal record certificate issued in Moldova can be verified using a special online service, by logging in to the administrative services portal.
Apostille for a Criminal Record Certificate in Moldova
Since 2006, Moldova has been a party to the Hague Convention of 5 October 1961 Abolishing the Requirement of Legalisation for Foreign Public Documents (the “Apostille Convention”).
An apostille is an internationally standardised certificate confirming the authenticity of a public document for use in countries that recognise this form of legalisation. It usually takes the form of a special stamp or certificate. In recent years, however, electronic apostilles (e-Apostilles) have also become increasingly common. An e-Apostille is a digital certification confirming the authenticity of documents issued in electronic form.
In Moldova, apostilles are issued by the Agency for Legal Resources Information and Technology of the Ministry of Justice.
A criminal record certificate issued by a Moldovan consular office cannot be apostilled, as the apostille procedure does not apply to consular documents. As a result, the competent authorities in many countries refuse to accept such certificates. Before obtaining one, you should check with the relevant organisation whether it will accept the document.
What is an apostille?
What is an apostille? Why do I need an apostille? How do I get an apostille? - Our video will explain everything you need to know about the apostille. If you have a document that needs to be certified with an apostille for use abroad, Schmidt and Schmidt will assist you! We provide apostille services in more than 100 countries worldwide.
Consular legalisation of a Moldovan Criminal Record Certificate
If the country in which the Moldovan criminal record certificate is to be used is not a party to the 1961 Hague Convention, such as the United Arab Emirates, the document must undergo the more complex and costly procedure of consular legalisation before it can be used there.
Consular legalisation is a multi-stage procedure for certifying the authenticity of a document. It applies to countries that are not parties to the 1961 Hague Convention.
To have a Moldovan criminal record certificate consularly legalised, follow these steps:
- Obtain the criminal record certificate;
- Have a notarised copy made;
- Have the document certified by the Ministry of Justice of Moldova;
- Have the document legalised by the Consular Affairs Department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Moldova;
- Arrange an official translation of the document;
- Have the document legalised by the consulate or consular section of the embassy of the destination country.
Due to the number of steps involved, this procedure is time-consuming and quite expensive. Some countries do not have consulates in Moldova, meaning that the final stage of legalisation may need to be completed in another country where the relevant consulate is located.
What is consular legalization?
In our video we are explaining what consular legalization is and where to apply for it.
Schmidt & Schmidt will assist you in all issues concerning the legalization.
Schmidt & Schmidt offers legalization in more than 80 countries all over the world.
Official translation of a Moldovan Criminal Record Certificate
A Moldovan criminal record certificate is generally issued in Romanian. To use it abroad, an official translation is required.
The translation must correspond fully to the original document, including the accurate rendering of all personal details (full name, date of birth and other information). Particular attention should be paid to the correct transliteration of first and last names, as any discrepancies with the passport details may result in the document being rejected.
If the document bears an apostille, the apostille itself must also be translated, in addition to the certificate.
Document delivery
After obtaining a criminal record certificate and having it apostilled or legalised, it is often necessary to send the document to another country. In such cases, not only delivery speed but also security is important, particularly when original official documents are involved.
Schmidt & Schmidt arranges international document delivery worldwide. We use reliable logistics solutions and modern tracking systems, allowing shipments to be monitored at every stage of transit and helping ensure that they reach their recipients on time.
Our specialists handle documents carefully and confidentially and can assist with any issues that may arise during international shipping, including carrier requirements and customs clearance procedures.
We can arrange delivery of completed criminal record certificates, apostilled documents, translations and other official papers to most countries worldwide, for both private clients and legal firms and organisations.
How can we help?
We will be pleased to assist you in obtaining a criminal record certificate in Moldova, including requesting the document on your behalf, arranging an apostille or legalisation for use abroad, as well as providing translation and delivery services worldwide.
You can always contact Schmidt & Schmidt. We have extensive experience in obtaining and legalising a wide range of documents and provide all the necessary services in this area, including obtaining notarised copies, translation, preparing the required powers of attorney, legalising documents with government authorities and foreign consulates, and delivering completed documents to most countries worldwide.
You can find out more about the legalisation and apostille procedures on our website.
