A receipt seems simple. Take a sheet, write "received X MDL," sign, done. But a poorly written receipt isn't evidence — it's a piece of paper. And when you need it in court, you discover too late it was missing essential elements.
Here's how to write a receipt that truly protects you.
Mandatory elements (without which the receipt is worthless)
A valid receipt must contain all of the following:
- Full date — day, month, year. Not "12.07" — write "12 July 2026." An incomplete date creates ambiguity.
- Location — the city where payment was made. Seems trivial, but matters for jurisdiction.
- Payer's full name — not "Ion" or "Mr. Popescu." Full name, with IDNP for individuals, or legal name for companies.
- Recipient's full name — same rules. If signing for a company, write the legal name and your capacity ("on behalf of Company X SRL").
- Amount in numbers AND in words — "5,000 (five thousand) MDL." If the amounts differ between numbers and words, the court interprets it. Don't leave room for interpretation.
- Payment purpose — "partial payment of invoice #X dated Y" or "loan repayment per contract #Z." Without purpose, the payment can be attributed to any claim — and the debtor will apply it to the least advantageous one for you.
- Reference to the underlying document — invoice number, contract, loan. The receipt doesn't stand alone — it confirms a payment against an obligation.
- Payment method — "cash" or "bank transfer." If transfer, note the source and destination accounts.
- Signature — original, with the full name legible underneath. Not just an illegible scrawl — the name must be readable.
Step by step: writing the receipt
Step 1: Prepare the document
Use a clean sheet or a pre-printed template. If writing by hand — use a pen, not a pencil. Ink doesn't erase, pencil does.
Step 2: Header
Write at the top: "RECEIPT" and a sequence number (if you have multiple). Then the date and location on the next line.
Step 3: Body of the receipt
Formulate clearly: "I, the undersigned [full name], identified by [ID/IDNP], confirm that today, [date], I received the amount of [numbers] ([words]) MDL from [payer's name], representing [payment purpose], per [underlying document]."
Step 4: Payment details
If bank transfer, attach the bank statement. If cash, state it explicitly. If installments, note: "This is installment #X of Y, per the installment schedule."
Step 5: Signature and date
Sign with your full name written legibly. If representing a company — stamp alongside. Without a stamp on company receipts, the proof is weaker.
Step 6: Double copy
Always make two copies. One for you, one for the payer. Both signed by both parties. If only one copy exists and the other is lost — you're left without proof.
Mistakes that nullify your receipt
- Corrected amounts — if you cross out a sum and write another, the court can contest it. If you make a mistake, rewrite the whole thing.
- No payment purpose — "received 5,000 MDL" without context. The debtor can claim it was a gift, a different type of payment, or a refund.
- No date — an undated receipt is almost useless. You can't calculate deadlines, limitation, or payment order.
- Incomplete names — "Ion" without a surname. The court can't identify the parties.
- Signature without legible name — an illegible signature without a name underneath is hard to attribute.
- No reference to the underlying document — the payment floats in the air, with no link to the obligation.
Digital receipt — valid?
Yes, but with conditions. An email confirming receipt of payment, with amount, date, purpose — is valid as evidence, but weaker than a physical signed receipt. SMS is even weaker. For large amounts, always use a physical receipt or bank transfer with a clear reference.
Bank transfer is, in fact, the best proof of payment — it leaves a permanent trail with date, amount, sender, recipient, and reference. If you can choose between cash and transfer — choose transfer.
The golden rule
A good receipt answers all questions before they're asked. Who paid? Who received? How much? When? For what? Based on what document? If the answer to any is missing — the receipt is incomplete, and incomplete means vulnerable.
If you have a recovery case with weak receipts — don't despair. Contact us. We'll evaluate what evidence you have and help you strengthen it with additional documents.