The Republic of Moldova was issued. Reasons for negative decisions must be communicated to the applicant. A negative decision can be appealed in a court of law in accordance with Moldovan legal procedures. Individuals with recognized statelessness status are granted permanent residence, and given appropriate identity documents, which vary in length of validity depending on the age of the person. For example, identity documents for children are valid from birth to ten years of age (and can then be renewed), while identity documents for persons aged 45 and above are issued as a permanent document. Upon request, a travel document is also issued. Persons with recognized statelessness status will be entitled to enjoy all the rights, freedoms and obligations specified in Moldovan law. They can also benefit from dedicated social integration activities offered by the Ministry of Culture and language classes offered to foreigners by the Ministry of Education, Culture and Research, which are free of cost. Stateless persons are entitled to family reunification on an equal basis as Moldovan citizens. Article 87(11) of the Moldovan Law provides that UNHCR may request access to information regarding applications for the recognition of stateless status, applicant interviews and issued decisions, subject to the consent of the applicant. UNHCR also identifies and counsels potential stateless persons and refers them to the Bureau for Migration and Asylum or the partner NGO that assists individuals with preparing their applications. Stateless persons can apply for naturalization if they have legally resided in Moldova for more than eight years. Legal residence is counted from the time of application for statelessness status. This is a shorter period of residence than is required for foreigners, which is a minimum of ten years. Between the establishment of the SDP in 2011 and December 2019, 1,144 persons submitted applications out of which 355 applications resulted in the recognition of statelessness status. It is noteworthy that among the 279 individuals whose applications were rejected, some were rejected on the basis that they were eligible to apply for Moldovan citizenship and were therefore subsequently directed to the appropriate government institution. Many of these applicants were ultimately granted Moldovan nationality. U N H C R > G P P AC T I O N 6 : E S TA B L I S H I N G S TAT E L E S S N E S S D E T E R M I N AT I O N P R O C E D U R E S 37