Moldova Joins the 1970 Evidence Convention

On 24 July 2025, the Republic of Moldova officially acceded to the 1970 Evidence Convention, also known as the Hague Convention on the Taking of Evidence Abroad in Civil or Commercial Matters. This important step will take effect on 22 September 2025, when the Convention enters into force for Moldova.

Moldova’s accession makes it the 69th Contracting Party to the Convention, further expanding the global framework that supports judicial cooperation and legal certainty across borders. For individuals, businesses, lawyers, and notaries, this development carries significant implications for how evidence can be requested, obtained, and recognized in civil and commercial disputes involving Moldovan parties.

In this article, we will explore what the 1970 Evidence Convention is, why Moldova’s accession matters, and how NotaryPublic24 can support you with international document services in light of this change.

Key Takeaways

• Moldova deposited its accession to the 1970 Evidence Convention on 24 July 2025.
• The Convention will enter into force on 22 September 2025 for Moldova.
• This development provides greater legal certainty for cross-border evidence gathering.
• NotaryPublic24 is here to support you with notarization, certification, and Apostille services to ensure compliance with international legal standards.

What Is the 1970 Evidence Convention?

The Evidence Convention, adopted on 18 March 1970 under the Hague Conference on Private International Law (HCCH), is one of the most important treaties for international judicial cooperation. Its primary purpose is to:

• Facilitate the collection of evidence across borders in civil and commercial cases.
• Create a standardized procedure for transmitting requests for evidence between states.
• Reduce legal uncertainty by ensuring that evidence collected abroad is admissible and reliable.

The Convention allows judicial authorities in one country (known as the Requesting State) to send a Letter of Request to the designated authority in another country (the Requested State) to obtain documents, testimony, or other forms of evidence needed in legal proceedings.

This framework replaces what was once a complicated and uncertain process, where evidence collected abroad might not be recognized or accepted in court.

Moldova’s Accession to the Convention

On 24 July 2025, Moldova deposited its instrument of accession to the Convention, formally joining the network of states that cooperate under this treaty. The Convention will enter into force for Moldova on 22 September 2025, after the customary period between accession and effectiveness.

This step is significant for several reasons:

• Legal Integration – Moldova is now aligned with the international standards of evidence collection, which strengthens its integration into global legal processes.

• Judicial Cooperation – Courts and authorities in Moldova will be able to both send and receive Letters of Request under the Convention framework.

• Business and Legal Confidence – For companies and individuals involved in cross-border transactions or disputes with Moldovan parties, there is now greater certainty about how evidence can be obtained and recognized.

Why Moldova’s Participation Matters

Enhanced Cross-Border Legal Certainty

By acceding to the Evidence Convention, Moldova provides reassurance to foreign courts, notaries, and businesses that evidence requests will be handled according to internationally recognized standards.

Efficiency in Legal Proceedings

Without the Convention, obtaining evidence from another country could take months, or even years, due to conflicting laws and bureaucratic hurdles. The Convention streamlines this process, ensuring greater efficiency.

Global Consistency

Each new member strengthens the uniformity of international evidence rules. With Moldova joining, nearly 70 countries now share a common legal framework, reducing unpredictability in international disputes.

Practical Implications for Businesses and Individuals

If you are doing business with Moldovan partners, considering litigation involving Moldovan parties, or need to notarize and certify documents for use in Moldova, the Evidence Convention can directly benefit you:

• Cross-Border Contracts: If a dispute arises, evidence needed from Moldova can now be requested more easily.
• International Arbitration: Arbitrators and courts will have stronger legal grounds for obtaining Moldovan evidence.
• Family and Civil Matters: Cases such as inheritance disputes or property claims involving Moldovan assets will face fewer obstacles in securing evidence abroad.

How the Convention Works in Practice

The Convention operates primarily through Letters of Request:

1. A judicial authority in one country drafts a request for specific evidence.
2. This request is transmitted to the Central Authority designated in the Requested State (in Moldova, this will likely be the Ministry of Justice or a related body).
3. The Central Authority ensures that the request complies with the Convention and passes it on to the appropriate court or official.
4. The evidence is collected under local law and sent back to the Requesting State.

This process ensures that evidence gathered abroad is collected legally and can be recognized in court proceedings.

The Role of Notaries and Apostille Services

For many legal processes, it is not enough to obtain evidence – documents often need to be notarized, legalized, or Apostilled before they can be used internationally.

At NotaryPublic24, we specialize in these services:

• Notarization: Certifying the authenticity of documents and signatures.
• Translation and Certification: Ensuring your documents are accurately translated and certified.
• Apostille Services: If a document from Moldova (or intended for use in Moldova) requires authentication, we can provide Apostille certification under the Hague Apostille Convention.

By combining expertise in notarization with international treaty knowledge, we help ensure your documents are recognized and accepted abroad.

Moldova and the Bigger Picture

Moldova’s accession to the 1970 Evidence Convention is part of a broader trend of expanding international cooperation. In recent years, more countries have joined or reaffirmed their participation in Hague Conventions, signaling a global shift toward harmonization of legal processes.

For professionals, this trend represents:

• Greater predictability in cross-border disputes.
• Lower legal costs by avoiding duplicate or conflicting procedures.
• More confidence when entering into international contracts and partnerships.

How NotaryPublic24 Supports You

Whether you are an individual, a law firm, or a multinational company, NotaryPublic24 can help you navigate these changes:

• Advisory Services – We guide you through the requirements of the Evidence Convention.
• Document Preparation – We ensure your documents are notarized, translated, and certified according to international standards.
• Cross-Border Compliance – We assist in coordinating requests with authorities in Moldova and other countries.
• Apostille Certification – We streamline the Apostille process for documents intended for international use.

Conclusion

Moldova’s accession to the 1970 Evidence Convention is a major step forward in global judicial cooperation. Starting 22 September 2025, parties in civil and commercial cases will benefit from streamlined, reliable procedures for collecting and recognizing evidence across borders.

For individuals and businesses, this development means greater certainty in legal disputes and smoother handling of international documentation. For legal professionals and notaries, it reinforces the importance of international expertise and reliable document services.

At NotaryPublic24, we stand ready to support you with notarization, certification, and Apostille services, ensuring that your documents and evidence meet the highest international standards.