Registration of a marriage between a Russian and a representative of another state does not automatically entail a change in the citizenship of one of the members of the new family. But Russian citizenship upon marriage can be obtained in a simpler manner by a foreigner than under normal circumstances.
What conditions must be met for this and documents must be collected under the legislation of the Russian Federation? How long does it take to process an application?
Conditions for applicants
When entering into marriage with a Russian, a foreigner may apply for the status of a citizen on preferential terms. This requires the consent of the applicant himself, since the very fact of marriage does not affect relations with the state of one of the spouses.
Marriage enables a citizen to acquire a new status only subject to the conditions of the legislation of the Russian Federation:
- Legal appearance on the territory of Russia of a foreign husband or wife. The classic rule is to obtain permission (visa) from the Russian embassy or visa center in advance. If he comes from a state with which Russia has signed an agreement on visa-free entry (for example, Ukraine), then you can simply enter with a foreign passport or a national passport (for example, from Kazakhstan). Upon entry, a migration card is issued.
- Registration of husband/wife as a foreigner in the country. Such an obligation arises if it is planned to stay in the country for more than a week. Accounting is maintained by the Migration Department of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of the Russian Federation.
- The marriage is officially documented in the registry office of the Russian Federation. Other relations (cohabitation) are not recognized as official and they do not give grounds for preferential registration of citizenship.
- The minimum marriage period is three years.
- The presence of a temporary residence permit at the address of residence. It is worth contacting the local department of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of the Russian Federation. If the living space is not owned by a foreign husband/wife, then the presence of the owner is required during registration. You also need permission to register such a citizen of other co-owners.
- Get a temporary residence permit. The period of residence within the country under such a permit is no more than three years. Married Belarusians do not need to receive it (they do not issue a migrant card). Permission cannot be extended. After each three-year term, a new receipt is required.
- Registration of a residence permit. It often acts as the last step before applying for citizenship. A residence permit is a document that gives the right to reside in Russia on a permanent basis. It is issued for a period of five years, then it can be extended if necessary.
A foreign spouse, subject to all conditions, can apply for Russian citizenship. Ignoring the conditions entails difficulties in obtaining the status or even the impossibility of its registration and even deprivation of the right to appear on the territory of Russia.
List of documents
For registration, a foreigner who has registered a marriage must prepare:
- Application in two copies. Written in the state language of the Russian Federation. Errors, corrections or abbreviations of words are not allowed. Can be completed on a computer.
- Receipt for the state duty (3.5 thousand rubles).
- Certificate that the marriage is registered according to the law of the Russian Federation.
- Passport of a Russian spouse with a residence permit in the region of circulation.
- Resident card.
- A document with a temporary residence permit in the region.
- Renunciation of former citizenship or a notarial obligation to make it after registration of the status of a citizen within a year (for example, this is provided for in 2017 for Ukrainians). Exception: if an agreement between countries allows you to have immediately.
- Personal photos (four pieces).
- Documents on the means for which it is planned to live in the country: an account statement, a salary certificate, a certificate for benefits.
- Confirmation of knowledge of the Russian language, the basics of law and knowledge of the history of the country (for example, certificates). Exception: wives after 60 who decide to get married, husbands over 65, as well as all citizens of those countries where one of the state languages is Russian (for example, Belarusians or Crimeans, who were previously considered Ukrainians).
If the documents are filled out in a foreign language, then they need to be translated and the translation itself certified by a notary. All copies provided must be notarized (for example, marriage certificates, husband's passports).
As a general rule, all certificates have a validity period of one month.
If, for example, a foreign husband has a child who is also accepted as a Russian, then it is necessary to add his consent to the package of documents, as well as similar documents for him. The requirement is valid for children who are already over 14 years old.
If a marriage is entered into only for registration of belonging to the state, then this entails a refusal to assign status and annulment of the marriage certificate. In order to avoid the temptation to marry fictitiously, a requirement of three years of marriage experience has been established.
Registration procedure
The package of documents must be submitted to the local branch of the Migration Department of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of the Russian Federation (by registration). If the applicant is still abroad, then the documents are submitted to the representative office of the state.
You can transfer:
- personally;
- by mail;
- through a representative under a notarized power of attorney;
- through the website gosuslugi.ru, by registering in advance.
The verification procedure in the authorities for foreigners who have married a Russian takes place within a maximum of one year. It ends with the receipt of a passport. With this document in hand, you can rightfully consider yourself a Russian.
Obtaining the status of a citizen of the state upon marriage is a complex and time-consuming procedure. A frivolous attitude to the submitted documents is unacceptable. This may result in a refusal not only to grant the status, but also expulsion from the Russian Federation. If your own strength is not enough to carry out the procedure, then you can contact the migration assistance company for help.
Attention! Due to recent changes in legislation, the legal information in this article may be out of date!
Our lawyer can advise you free of charge - write a question in the form below:
