As of 27 October 2025, when the president signed the federal law, parents and legal representatives may formalize a child’s citizenship acquired by birth through Gosuslugi, Russia’s public services portal, or on paper. This procedure does not establish any new obligations for employers.
The Ministry of Internal Affairs of Russia (MVD), Russia’s federal internal affairs agency, named four documents confirming a child’s citizenship under 14
According to MVD, a child’s Russian citizenship before the age of 14 may be confirmed by the child’s Russian international passport. The second option is a certificate confirming the acquisition of citizenship of the Russian Federation by birth.
According to MVD’s clarification, a birth document bearing a mark confirming Russian citizenship is also acceptable. If the birth document was issued by a foreign state, it must be accompanied by a notarized translation into Russian. The fourth option is a parent’s passport containing the child’s details, properly certified.
Electronic applications through Gosuslugi are available to parents and representatives
According to MVD, an application to formalize a child’s citizenship acquired by birth may be submitted electronically through Gosuslugi. Parents and other legal representatives of the child may submit it, including representatives of guardianship and trusteeship authorities.
According to MVD’s clarification, the paper application method remains available: an application may be submitted to a territorial body of MVD. This allows the applicant to choose the application channel without changing the list of specified supporting documents.
MVD reviews the application within five business days
MVD reports that the application is reviewed within five business days. This period applies to an application to formalize a child’s citizenship acquired by birth, which the applicant submits through Gosuslugi or on paper.
The federal law signed on 27 October 2025 is cited in MVD’s communication without a number; the document has not been published. MVD’s communication does not specify the date when electronic filing begins.
Employers do not receive new obligations concerning a child’s documents
According to MVD, the clarification is addressed to parents and legal representatives of children under 14. The material does not establish obligations for employers, introduce a separate HR check, or describe consequences for an organization if the application is not submitted.
For an HR department, the practical conclusion is limited to the scope of MVD’s clarification: documents concerning a child’s citizenship and an application through Gosuslugi relate to actions taken by legal representatives. This procedure should not replace procedures that an organization applies to its employees on other grounds.
Frequently asked questions
Can a child’s citizenship be confirmed with a Russian international passport?
Yes. According to MVD, the child’s Russian international passport is one of the four documents that may confirm the citizenship of a child under 14.
Who may submit an electronic application?
According to MVD, parents and other legal representatives may submit an application through Gosuslugi, including representatives of guardianship and trusteeship authorities.
How long does it take to review an application for a child’s citizenship?
MVD specifies a review period of five business days.
Does an employer need to check documents concerning a child’s citizenship?
No. According to MVD, this procedure does not establish new obligations or a separate HR check for employers.
What to check
- Determine whether the application concerns a child under 14.
- Check that a Russian international passport for the child, a certificate of citizenship acquired by birth, a birth document bearing a mark, or a parent’s passport with certified details about the child is available.
- For a foreign birth document, prepare a notarized translation into Russian.
- Choose whether to submit the application through Gosuslugi or in paper form to a territorial body of MVD.
- Allow five business days for the application review, as specified by MVD.
- Do not include this procedure among the employer’s HR obligations: MVD does not establish such obligations.