This is stipulated by the amendments to the Law on identity documents in the national passport system, which were adopted by the Moldovan Parliament on May 29.
The new travel documents will comply with the technical requirements set by the International Civil Aviation Organization and European Union rules. They will contain modern biometric elements and unified identification codes. Thanks to modern identification technologies, they will ensure an increased level of security of personal data of document holders and protect against forgery.
According to the proposal of the Public Services Agency together with the Ministry of Internal Affairs, part of the information in the travel documents will be presented in three languages – Romanian, English and French, which will allow them to be recognized at the international level.
In addition to personal data, the identity documents will contain the owner’s handwritten signature, which will be applicable from the age of 14. The owner’s biometric data – facial image and fingerprints – will also be included. Exceptions will be made for children under 12 years of age and persons whose fingerprints are physically impossible to take.
The validity periods of passports are set depending on the age and status of the holder. Travel documents for stateless persons, refugees or persons who enjoy humanitarian protection will be valid for three to ten years. If fingerprinting is temporarily physically impossible, the passport and travel document will be valid for one year.
The Public Services Agency will issue most identity documents, except for diplomatic and service passports, which will remain under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Stateless persons, refugees and persons enjoying humanitarian protection should apply to the Main Inspectorate for Migration of the Ministry of Internal Affairs for identity documents.
The passport will be issued to citizens of the Republic of Moldova, while travel documents will be issued to stateless persons or refugees, as well as to persons granted humanitarian protection.
