Moldovan Citizenship for Children and Newborns: Key Features

Moldovan citizenship for a child is not just a formality. It’s the key to a full life, legal protection, freedom of movement within the EU, and access to education, healthcare, and social security. It is crucial to formalize the child’s status early to avoid future issues — such as problems with documents, schooling, or traveling abroad.

Moldovan law provides several grounds on which children and newborns can acquire citizenship. The process depends on the country of birth, the parents’ citizenship, and the child’s legal status. In this article, we explain who is eligible to apply, under what conditions, which documents are needed, and what details to keep in mind.

Grounds for Obtaining Citizenship for a Child

The Citizenship Law of the Republic of Moldova outlines several ways a child can acquire citizenship — depending on the parents’ citizenship, place of birth, and specific circumstances. The most common scenarios include acquiring citizenship by descent (jus sanguinis), automatic citizenship by birth on Moldovan territory, and protection from statelessness.

Citizenship by Descent from Moldovan Citizens (jus sanguinis)

If at least one parent is a Moldovan citizen, the child automatically acquires Moldovan citizenship, regardless of the country of birth. This applies to both newborns and older children — as long as the parental link and Moldovan citizenship are proven.

Citizenship by Place of Birth (jus soli) — with limitations

Children born in Moldova to foreign parents may acquire citizenship if:

  • the parents legally reside in Moldova (e.g., have a residence permit);
  • the parents are stateless (apatrids);
  • the child cannot acquire the parents' citizenship by birth (to prevent statelessness).

Citizenship for Found Children

Children found on the territory of Moldova whose parents are unknown are automatically considered Moldovan citizens until another citizenship is determined or they reach the age of 18.

Citizenship through Parents' Reacquisition or Naturalization

If a parent acquires Moldovan citizenship through restoration or naturalization, the child may acquire it simultaneously — with the consent of the other parent and the child (if over 14 years old).

Specifics of the Procedure for Newborns

If a child is born in Moldova, it is important to notify the civil registry office (ZAGS) immediately and begin the process of obtaining documents. If at least one parent is a Moldovan citizen, citizenship is automatically granted upon birth registration.

If the child is born abroad

Moldovan citizens who become parents abroad must initiate the child’s citizenship recognition procedure through the consulate or the Public Services Agency (ASP). The process involves:

  • registering the birth with the local civil registry office;
  • obtaining a birth certificate with an apostille or legalization;
  • translating the document into Romanian and notarizing it;
  • submitting a citizenship recognition request at the Moldovan consulate.

Important:

  • if the birth is not registered with Moldovan authorities, the child may face issues obtaining a passport and other documents;
  • some countries require renunciation of citizenship when acquiring a new one by birth — it’s advisable to consult a legal expert in such cases.

Document Submission Procedure

The process of obtaining citizenship for a child depends on their place of birth and the parents’ status. However, in most cases, the steps are similar and include the following:

1. Preparing the documents

  • Child’s birth certificate;
  • Documents proving the citizenship of at least one parent (passport, ID card);
  • Marriage certificate or proof of parenthood if parents have different surnames;
  • Translations and notarization (if documents were issued abroad);
  • Receipt for state fee payment (if applicable).

2. Where to submit

  • If you are in Moldova — at Public Services Agency (ASP) offices;
  • If abroad — at the consulate or embassy of the Republic of Moldova.

3. Considering the child’s age

If the child is over 14 years old, their written consent is required for obtaining citizenship. The application should also state whether the child speaks Romanian (which may affect passport issuance).

Processing time

In standard cases, the process takes 1 to 3 months. If additional documents or legalization is required, the timeframe may be extended.

Common Difficulties and How to Avoid Them

Although acquiring Moldovan citizenship for children is generally simplified, parents often face bureaucratic and legal challenges. Here are the most common mistakes and how to avoid them:

Mistake in identifying the legal basis

Some parents mistakenly believe that having Moldovan roots automatically grants citizenship to the child. It’s crucial to understand that citizenship must be officially applied for, even if the right exists.

Lack of translation and legalization

Documents issued outside Moldova must be legalized (apostille or consular legalization) and translated into Romanian with notarization. Without this, the application will be rejected.

Delayed application

If a long time has passed since the child's birth and parents haven't initiated the process, additional proof of connection to Moldova and explanations for the delay may be required.

Incomplete documentation

Missing even one document may result in rejection or delay. Parents often forget to include copies of passports, citizenship confirmations, or documents proving marital status.

Recommendation: consult a migration lawyer or use the services of specialized agencies to avoid early-stage mistakes.

Conclusion

Granting Moldovan citizenship to children and newborns is a crucial legal step that ensures access to all rights and benefits of a Moldovan citizen. Whether the child is born in Moldova or abroad, there is a legal procedure that allows the confirmation or acquisition of citizenship if the legal grounds exist.

Key factors for success include correctly identifying the legal basis, submitting the application on time, preparing a complete set of documents, and complying with all requirements. Special attention should be paid to the translation and legalization of foreign-issued documents.

If you want to obtain citizenship for your child quickly and without unnecessary complications or risk of rejection — consult professionals. Expert legal support significantly simplifies the process and increases your chances of success.