U.S. Embassy in Moldova

U.S. citizens in need of emergency financial assistance while abroad should first attempt to contact their family, friends, banking institution, or employer. Our American Citizen Services unit can assist in this effort, if necessary.

Use a commercial money transfer service, such as Western Union or MoneyGram., to wire money overseas. Money transfer cost comparison tools online can help you identify the best option. The person receiving the money will need to present proof of identity such as a passport.

When the commercial options listed above are not available or feasible, family or friends may send funds via the U.S. Department of State for delivery to a destitute U.S. citizen abroad at the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate. The U.S. Department of State assesses a $30 fee to establish an account and transfer funds.

Destitute U.S. citizens may be eligible for a loan from the U.S. government to travel to the United States. Repatriation loans must eventually be paid back to the U.S. government. Your U.S. passports will be limited at the time the loan is issued and in most cases you will not be issued a new passport until the loan is paid in full. Contact us for more information.

U.S. consular officers, in certain situations, may be able to assist Americans abroad who are temporarily destitute. Americans who find themselves in these circumstances should contact the U.S. Embassy Chisinau at +373 408 300 or the State Department’s Office of Overseas Citizens Services at +1-888-407-4747 or +1-202-501-4444. You can also email the American Citizens Services section at ChisinauACS@state.gov.

If you are a U.S. citizen or Lawful Permanent Resident (green card holder), you are responsible for filing U.S. federal income tax returns while abroad. You will find useful information on the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) website, such as Frequently Asked Questions about taxes or how to apply for an Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN).

If you are a U.S. dual citizen or U.S. citizen living outside of the United States, you can register with the Selective Service System.

If you live in Moldova and have questions about Social Security Administration (SSA) services, contact the SSA Federal Benefits Unit (FBU) in Greece.

U.S. service members, veterans, and their beneficiaries can apply for benefits on the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) website. The Federal Benefits Unit (FBU) may also be able to help veterans and beneficiaries with questions about benefits and services.

Depending on where you are eligible to vote, you may get your ballot by email, fax, or internet download. To start, complete a Federal Post Card Application (FPCA) here. Print, sign, and return the FPCA to your local U.S. election office. Include your email address so election officials can reach you if there is a problem. If your state delivers ballots electronically by fax only, include your fax number. If you request electronic delivery and include your email address or fax number, you will receive your blank ballot 45 days before general and mid-term elections and generally 30 days before special, primary, and run-off elections for federal offices. We recommend completing a new FPCA each January, or when you move. If you have any questions about registering to vote overseas, please contact the Chisinau Voting Assistance Officer at the Consular Section contact phone number +373 22-408-300 or at VoteChisinau@state.gov.

As a U.S. citizen parent, you should report your child’s birth abroad as soon as possible to the U.S. Embassy or a U.S. Consulate to establish an official record of the child’s claim to or acquisition of U.S. citizenship at birth. The official record will be the Consular Report of Birth Abroad (CRBA), Form FS-240. This form is evidence of U.S. citizenship, issued to a child born abroad to a U.S. citizen parent or parents who meets the requirements for transmitting citizenship under the Immigration and Nationality Act. CRBA applications must be made before the child’s 18th birthday.

Transmission of U.S. citizenship depends on at least one parent having the nationality of the United States at the time of the child’s birth; the existence of a blood relationship between the child and U.S. citizen parent(s); and documentary evidence demonstrating the U.S. citizen parent(s)’ presence in the United States prior to the child’s birth.

You can become a U.S. citizen through a variety of means—birth in the United States, birth abroad to a U.S. citizen parent, or through the naturalization process. For each of these, a specific series of legal requirements must be met. At the U.S. Embassy in Moldova, we can provide U.S. citizenship services for eligible individuals born abroad to U.S. citizen parents. Our Embassy also processes Certificates of Loss of Nationality for those U.S. citizens who need to give up their U.S. citizenship or believe that they have expatriated themselves.

The Supreme Court of the United States has ruled that U.S. citizenship is a constitutional right that cannot be taken away from a citizen who does not intend to relinquish it. Therefore, such actions as naturalization in a foreign country, travel on a foreign passport, employment with a foreign government, and voting in a foreign election do not automatically jeopardize U.S. citizenship.