MD-DSC-01 — Descent — multi-generational (parent line) [SIGNATURE ] [HIGH-PIN]

Country: Moldova (MD) | Cascade: #37 | Tier: T1+ Bucket: DSC | Windows: W4, W5, W6, W7

WAVE-B Deepened: 2026-05-15

Route designation: Descent — multi-generational (parent line) (MD-DSC-01, DSC bucket). Summary: Primary jus sanguinis pathway: descent via MD-citizen parent without territorial requirement. Statutory anchors: Law 1024/2000 Art. 11(1)(a)-(c); Law 253/2025 Art. 12. Moldovan citizenship: exclusive national competence (Constituția Art 17-19); primary statute Lege 253/2025 (CIF 2025-12-24) replacing Lege 1024-XIV/2000; ASP (Agenția Servicii Publice — NOT BMA which is migration) is the operational authority. MD is party to ECN (CETS 166) + 1954+1961 Statelessness Conventions + 1957 Convention on Nationality of Married Women + Hague 1930 (rare ~6-worldwide-parties cohort).

A child acquires MD citizenship at birth via jus sanguinis (Art. 9(1)) where:

• At least one parent is MD citizen at the date of birth
• Place of birth: irrelevant (jus sanguinis applies abroad)
• Generational chain: no statutory cap on parent-to-child transmission

Trigger conditions for recognition (Art. 10 Law 253/2025)

Recognition extends to adult applicants (18+) demonstrating:

• (a) Born on MD territory OR at least one parent/grandparent born on MD territory
• (b) Until 28 June 1940 resided in Basarabia, Northern Bukovina, Hertsa region, or RASSM; descendants
• (c) Persons deported or refugees from MD territory beginning 28 June 1940; descendants
• (d) As of 23 June 1990 legally and habitually resided on MD territory and continue to reside

Recognition + Language requirement (post-2025-12-24)

• Romanian language proficiency at B2 CEFR level (Art. 15 Law 253/2025)
• Constitution knowledge examination
• Examination by Agenția Națională pentru Curriculum și Evaluare (Ministry of Education and Research)
• 75-100 points pass mark
• Exemptions: under 14, severe disability, special state interest

Documentary requirements

• Parental MD citizenship documentation
• Birth certificate (or equivalent)
• Genealogical evidence (for multi-generational claims)
• Language + Constitution exam certificate (post-2025-12-24, ALL acquisition modes)
• Proof of address (for residence-related claims)

• Personal submission at ASP territorial office or MD diplomatic mission/consulate (no proxy allowed per Law 253/2025 Art. 33)
• Children: parental written consent required; age 14+ requires notarized personal consent

Step 2: Documentary review

• ASP verifies parental citizenship, birth registration, genealogical documentation
• For pre-1940 Bessarabian descent: historical archive records (Sfatul Țării records, Romanian Kingdom registry)
• For MSSR descent: Soviet-era documentation (passport, residence permit, military records)

Step 3: Language + Constitution examination

• Scheduling via Agenția Națională pentru Curriculum și Evaluare
• B2 CEFR Romanian; civics test based on Constituția
• Minimum 10 working days notice (HG 804/2025 Point 24)

Step 4: Decision

• ASP recommendation to Aparatul Președintelui
• Presidential decree per Constituția Art. 88(c) + Law 253/2025 Art. 33(1)
• Decree published in Monitorul Oficial

Step 5: Citizenship issuance

• Identity card (buletin) + passport on application
• Citizenship certificate (where requested)

Timeline

• Processing: up to 12 months (extendable 6 months per HG 804/2025 Point 12)
• Practical: ~6-18 months for descent-based recognition

Cost

• Recognition application: lower-tier fee (per HG 804/2025 Annex)
• Language exam: fee for Agenția Națională pentru Curriculum și Evaluare
• Apostille of foreign documents (where applicable)

• Law 1024-XIV/2000 Art. 11(1)(a)-(c) — primary jus sanguinis framework (operative 2000-08-10 to 2025-12-24)
• Law 1024-XIV/2000 Art. 12 — recognition (recunoaștere) pathway for descendants
• Law 253/2025 Art. 9(1) — jus sanguinis (operative since 2025-12-24)
• Law 253/2025 Art. 10 — recognition pathway (renumbered)
• Law 253/2025 Art. 15 — universal language requirement (COHORT-FIRST expansion)
• Constituția RM Art. 17(1) — citizenship constitutional framework
• Law 100-XV of 26.04.2001 — Civil Status Acts (descent registration)
• HG 804/23.12.2025 — Implementing regulation

• legis.md — Monitorul Oficial portal
• csp.md — Civil status acts registry
• asp.gov.md — Agenția Servicii Publice (primary administrative)
• consulate network (MAEIE) — for descent-abroad registration

Source authorities: legis.md; csp.md. Filing authority: ASP (Agenția Servicii Publice) nationality department + Consulate of Republic of Moldova abroad (jurisdiction by applicant residence). Authority distinction: ASP (Agenția Servicii Publice) is the operational citizenship authority — distinct from BMA (Biroul Migrație și Azil) which handles migration/asylum. Decree publication in Monitorul Oficial al Republicii Moldova. Judicial review at Curtea Supremă de Justiție (CSJ) administrative chamber + Curtea Constituțională (CCM) for constitutional challenges under Art 17-19 Constituția.