Is it necessary to change citizenship when marrying a Belarusian?

What you need to know about obtaining Russian citizenship by marriage

This article will talk about those who apply for citizenship only on the basis of marriage with a citizen of the Russian Federation. For those who have a common child (children) with a Russian spouse , other conditions for obtaining citizenship apply. In another article, read about obtaining citizenship by marriage and child.

Some foreign citizens believe that just having a Russian spouse is enough to immediately, without any preliminary steps, apply for citizenship. It's a delusion.

Simply marrying a Russian or marrying a citizen of the Russian Federation is not enough for you to be immediately issued a Russian passport.

Family migrants go through the same stages as others. Namely, first they get a temporary residence permit, then they get a residence permit. And only after passing these two mandatory steps does a person receive the right to obtain Russian status.

The second point concerns the duration of the marriage. Documents for Russian citizenship by marriage will be accepted from you only if the union is already 3 years .

Excerpt from Article 14 of Federal Law 62 “On Citizenship of the Russian Federation”

Let's look at examples. A citizen of Kazakhstan married a Russian. The family lived in Kazakhstan for five years and then moved to Russia. The wife began the process of obtaining Russian citizenship: she received a temporary residence permit and a residence permit. Since her union with a Russian citizen is already more than three years old, immediately after receiving a residence permit, she submitted papers for Russian citizenship by marriage. In this case, she did not have to wait any period of time before proceeding to obtain Russian status.

Example No. 2. A Ukrainian married a Russian citizen. Immediately after the wedding, he received a temporary residence permit, and a year later he was given a residence permit. Since the official union was only one year old at the time of receiving the residence permit, the man was not able to immediately apply for citizenship. In this example, the Ukrainian needs to wait another two years before he can apply for Russian citizenship.

One more nuance: documents for Russian citizenship on the basis of marriage will be accepted from you only if your Russian spouse has permanent registration in the Russian Federation. If your husband/wife only has temporary registration, then you will not be able to register on this basis.

Obtaining Russian citizenship by marriage in 2021: methods and deadlines for registration

Marriage to a Russian does not automatically assign Russian citizenship to a foreigner. There is a fairly lengthy procedure to go through, during which a foreign citizen must legally reside in the Russian Federation.

As we have already said, the first official document that a foreigner issues for a long-term stay in the Russian Federation is a temporary residence permit (TRP). This document is valid for 3 years, but after a year you can apply for a residence permit. Find out more about how to obtain a residence permit by marriage.

Residence permit registration period

The time frame required to consider an application for a residence permit and make an appropriate decision varies depending on the order in which the application was submitted. Applications submitted in accordance with the general procedure are considered within 6 months.

What rights does a residence permit holder get?

In general, the rights of a person who has received a residence permit are almost identical to the rights of a citizen, although there are restrictions. The holder of a residence permit cannot participate in elections and receive a number of positions related to access to secret information or high-level management.

Duration of residence permit

The residence permit is issued for 5 years and can be renewed an unlimited number of times.

To apply for Russian citizenship, you will have to collect a fairly large package of papers.

Documents for obtaining Russian citizenship by marriage in 2021:

2 copies of the application for acquisition of Russian citizenship. To avoid any problems filling it out, please study the sample application.
Receipt for payment of state duty. The payment amount for obtaining citizenship is 3.5 thousand rubles.
Marriage certificate.
The document on the basis of which a foreigner is in the Russian Federation is a temporary residence permit or residence permit.
Registration at the place of stay (temporary registration).
Document renouncing previous citizenship. Sometimes it can be replaced by an obligation to provide such paper within a year. If interstate agreements provide for the possibility of having dual citizenship, a refusal will not be required.
3 photographs 3x4 cm.
Documents confirming the presence of a source of income in Russia. The list is very wide: from a certificate from your place of work to another person’s obligation to support you.
A certificate stating that you speak Russian and are familiar with the history and legislation of the Russian Federation.

When obtaining Russian citizenship from September 1, 2021, it is necessary to take the oath of a citizen of the Russian Federation. The procedure for taking the oath of office is established by the President of the Russian Federation.

Risks of entering into a fictitious marriage

If you decide to formalize a fictitious marriage relationship in order to obtain Russian citizenship, a whole string of unpleasant consequences awaits you. The second spouse, for example, can file for divorce and demand division of property, and so on.

If the marriage is recognized as fictitious, there is a high risk of losing your Russian passport.

The right to apply for a residence permit appears twelve months after the temporary residence permit comes into force. The list of documents that will be needed can be found on the official portal of the Main Directorate for Migration Affairs of the Ministry of Internal Affairs. The application is reviewed within six months. A residence permit is no longer just a note in a passport, as is the case with a temporary residence permit. This is a “crust” similar to a passport, which can be used for five years. Its owner can count on Russian citizenship.

As soon as a positive response is received from the Main Directorate for Migration of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of the Russian Federation, it is necessary to submit documents to obtain a passport after obtaining Russian citizenship. You need to provide:

statement;
identity document - internal passport of your country with translation (notarized)

receipt of paid state duty;
two photographs 3*4.

To ensure secure fixation, perform all the necessary steps step by step. Brief instructions on what to do:

It is legal for a migrant to cross the border.
The bride and groom submit an application to register their relationship with the registry office and get married.
For a foreign spouse to issue a RVN.
Next, obtain a residence permit.

The last step is to submit a citizenship application.

Often a migrant needs a visa and paper, which are issued following a special invitation. However, for Kyrgyz, Kazakh and Belarusians, a certificate is not needed. They just need to put a special stamp on their migration card when entering the border.

In order to legally register a marital relationship with a Russian man or woman to acquire citizenship, you must submit a jointly signed application to the registry office. This can be done in person by filling out all the documentation with your own hands. It is also possible to send the package online.

The necessary certificates are collected for marriage. You will need:

Passports of the bride and groom. The resident's certificate must be translated into Russian and certified by a notary office. It is important to obtain a certificate from the Consulate confirming the correctness of the information specified in the duplicate.
Evidence that the guy is single and the girl is single.
For a foreigner, a migration card or visa of the Russian Federation.
Receipt of payment of the required duty in the amount of 3,500 rubles.

The marriage takes place within 1 month. If the wife is expecting a child, the time frame for obtaining a marriage confirmation is reduced.

A temporary residence permit is required for citizenship. For registration you need:

petition in 2 copies;
photos;
translation of a resident's identity card certified by a notary;
copies of a Russian passport;
original and duplicate of the migrant card;
marriage certificates.

They receive the paper at the place of residence of the foreigner. A temporary residence permit allows you to obtain a residence permit after a year.

Permission for temporary residence permit is issued within 1 – 6 months. Duration of validity is 3 years.

This is the main document that is filled out according to the established template. List of required items:

the name of the institution where the application for citizenship is sent;
registration number, which is affixed by the official;
a clear formulation of the reasons for obtaining citizenship in a simplified manner.

If you have children from another marriage, you can simultaneously declare their acceptance into Russian citizenship.

Many people ask questions: how to obtain citizenship if the husband is a citizen of the Russian Federation and how to obtain citizenship if the wife is a citizen of the Russian Federation. The procedure is the same for everyone.

As mentioned earlier, citizenship of the Russian Federation through marriage to a Russian does not eliminate the need for a foreign citizen to obtain a temporary residence permit and residence permit.

Obtaining a temporary residence permit for family migrants

For migrants who have a union with a Russian man or woman, there is a simplification. They will not have to receive a quota for temporary residence permits.

Marriage to a citizen of the Russian Federation gives the right to a quota-free temporary residence permit.

Extract from Article 6 of Federal Law-115 “On the legal status of foreign citizens in the Russian Federation”

RRVP

TRP for marriage: features of obtaining

Elena Voropaeva
10.02.2021

Therefore, you can collect documents and immediately bring them to the migration division of the Ministry of Internal Affairs. You can make a temporary residence permit even immediately after the registry office. At this stage, it does not matter how long ago the marriage took place.

Note! Documents for permission must be submitted in the region in which your Russian husband (wife) has permanent registration (stamp in the passport). If, for example, a Russian husband lives in St. Petersburg under temporary registration, but is permanently registered in Novorossiysk, then his wife will apply for a temporary residence permit in Novorossiysk. In St. Petersburg, her application will not be accepted. This requirement is specified in the law and has been in effect since 2021.

Excerpt from Federal Law-115

If a foreign citizen has a child with Russian citizenship, then you can skip the TRP stage and immediately apply for a residence permit.

How can a foreigner obtain Russian citizenship through marriage?

Admission to Russian citizenship
Time frame for obtaining Russian citizenship
Oath upon admission to Russian citizenship
How to get a passport after being granted Russian citizenship
How to confirm Russian citizenship
Refusal of citizenship of a foreign state upon admission to Russian citizenship

Admission to Russian citizenship in a simplified manner
Who has the right to obtain Russian citizenship in a simplified manner
Admission to Russian citizenship in a simplified manner for children and incapacitated persons
Documents for simplified admission to Russian citizenship for children and incapacitated persons
List of documents for obtaining Russian citizenship in a simplified manner
Citizenship of the Russian Federation by birth on the territory of Russia
How to obtain Russian citizenship by marriage
Reinstatement of Russian citizenship

Russian citizenship for residents of the DPR and LPR
The procedure for registration at the place of stay on the territory of the Russian Federation for residents of the DPR and LPR
Obtaining the status of NRY by residents of the DPR and LPR and their admission to Russian citizenship
Acceptance of residents of the DPR and LPR into Russian citizenship as participants in the resettlement program

Program for resettlement of compatriots to Russia
Who can participate in the resettlement program for compatriots
How to obtain Russian citizenship for participants in the compatriot resettlement program
List of documents for participation in the program of resettlement of compatriots
Documents for admission to Russian citizenship under the resettlement program

How to apply for Russian citizenship by husband or wife

Registration takes place through the migration department of the Ministry of Internal Affairs - where you are registered. In the capital, to submit documents, you need to contact the Multifunctional Migration Center - popularly called Sakharovo.

Migrants married to Russian citizens prepare a standard list of papers. Plus, to this list you will need to attach documents confirming the existence of grounds for simplified registration. In your case, this will be a marriage certificate and a passport of the Russian husband or wife .

Features of the simplified scheme for obtaining Russian citizenship

The simplified procedure for considering an application consists of faster processing of documents and a reduction in the minimum period of residence of an applicant in the Russian Federation with a residence permit status from 5 to 3 years.

Differences between the general and simplified procedure for granting the status of a citizen of the Russian Federation
Type of procedure	Residence permit	Application review period	Decision maker
General	5 years	1 year	President of the Russian Federation
Simplified	1 year	6 months	Head of the local unit of the Main Directorate for Migration of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of the Russian Federation

Grounds for obtaining Russian citizenship in a simplified manner:

by marriage in 2021 for a foreigner/stateless person;
/ and temporary registration;
the presence in the past of the status of a citizen of the USSR and in the present - a stateless person;
after June 2, 2002 and three years of experience in the specialty within the Russian Federation;
;
three years of work experience at a Russian enterprise in a sought-after specialty;
.

Documents for obtaining Russian citizenship by marriage

An applicant wishing to obtain citizenship in a simplified manner needs to collect the following list of documents:

Statement. The questionnaire must be prepared in two copies.
Applicant's passport + notarized copy of the document.
Residence permit, you will also need to make a regular copy of the document.
Photos. To submit, you need to bring three photos measuring 3 x 4 cm. It is allowed to use both color and black and white photographs, but the paper must be matte, not glossy.
Receipt for payment of state duty. Foreign citizens pay 3,500 rubles for document review. Payment can be made through a branch of any bank, but be sure to check all the data indicated on the check, since if there are errors in the receipt (for example, errors in spelling your full name), citizenship documents will not be accepted.
A document confirming knowledge of the Russian language.
Marriage certificate + notarized copy.
Passport of husband/wife with Russian citizenship + copy of passport. The document must indicate permanent registration in Russia. Instead of the spouse's original passport, you can present a notarized copy.
If you changed your full name, you will need the appropriate document. If it is made in a foreign language, you need to make a notarized translation.

When applying for Russian citizenship by marriage, you do not need to confirm your income or renounce your previous citizenship.

The list of papers indicated above is required to be presented from those applicants who are applying for registration in Moscow. The list may vary slightly in different regions, so before applying for citizenship, check the list of required certificates with your migration department.

In another article, we talked in detail about the preparation of documents for citizenship.

The application is filled out on a standard form. Samples are attached at the end of the article. How to fill out an application for Russian citizenship.

Your documents will be reviewed within three months . You will receive the decision by mail. If you don’t want to wait for the letter, then after the deadline has passed, you can start calling the migration department at your place of registration and find out if there is a response to your application.

After receiving a positive decision, all that remains is to take the oath and get a Russian passport .

Find out from our material what to do after receiving citizenship.

List of documents for Russian citizenship by marriage

The package of papers for this procedure is almost no different from the package for obtaining citizenship for other reasons. The applicant must submit to the migration department of the internal affairs bodies at the place of registration of the spouse:

application form in two copies. It must be filled out in accordance with all the rules - without corrections, erasures, abbreviations and entries in Latin, have the signatures of the applicant and the official who accepted the documents;
passports of the applicant and his spouse, as well as their notarized copies;
residence permit and its copy;
marriage certificate - original and copy certified by a notary;
document confirming the change of surname (if it has changed). The requirement for such documents filled out in any language other than Russian is a notarized translation;
certificate, diploma, certificate or other documentary evidence of the applicant’s proficiency in Russian;
entry visa - for immigrants from countries with which Russia interacts in the visa regime;
three matte photos measuring 3x4;
a receipt confirming the fact of payment of the state duty.

Important: depending on the region, the package of necessary documents for Russian citizenship by marriage may, albeit slightly, differ. Therefore, it is advisable to contact the local competent authority in advance and obtain a complete list of papers and requirements for them.

The application review period ranges from 3 to 6 months. The applicant for citizenship will be notified of the decision made by notification sent by mail. It is also advisable to independently contact the Ministry of Internal Affairs after the expiration of the 3-month period - sometimes in this way you can quickly find out whether a decision has been made on the applicant’s application.

Application form for Russian citizenship (5106 Downloads) Application form for Russian citizenship (new from 07/24/2020) (9704 Downloads) Sample application for Russian citizenship by marriage (2609 Downloads)

Grounds for denial of Russian citizenship by marriage

All possible legal grounds for refusal to grant the status of a citizen of the Russian Federation are set out in the text of the law “”.

All grounds are divided into several main categories:

Concerning the personality of the applicant.
Relating to the preparation of submitted documents.
Based on circumstances that prevent the acquisition or further maintenance of an already acquired status.

When developing a strategy for how a wife can obtain citizenship if her husband is a citizen of Russia, or how a husband can become a citizen through his wife, pay attention to the law-abiding and decency of the applicant.

Refusal to grant Russian citizen status may be for the following reasons:

Advocacy for a violent change in the constitutional system of the Russian Federation.
Involvement in extremist activities and participation in military actions directed against the Russian Federation.
There are restrictions on entry into the Russian Federation.
Unexpunged conviction, criminal prosecution or serving a prison sentence.
Service in law enforcement, military or security services of a foreign country.

Incorrectly completed documents can also become an obstacle to citizenship:

knowingly false data;
incorrect filling, errors;
presence of blots and corrections.

It is also worth mentioning that if a foreign citizen marries a Russian woman, he will receive citizenship based on the legality of the union, but subsequently the assigned status can be canceled if the second spouse files a lawsuit and the marriage is officially recognized as fictitious.

In addition, another reason why you can lose your Russian passport is maintaining your previous citizenship, which must be renounced within 12 months.

Requirements for obtaining Russian citizenship by marriage

In addition to the provision of a mandatory package of documents, the legislation puts forward the following requirements:

a marriage entered into on the territory of another state must be officially confirmed in the Russian Federation;
availability of a document confirming the official marriage;
live in marriage for three years to obtain Russian citizenship;
at the time of submitting documents, the applicant must not be divorced, that is, the marriage must be legally valid;
Documentary confirmation by the spouses of their cohabitation.

Registration of an official marriage with a Russian citizen allows foreigners and stateless persons to significantly reduce the time it takes to obtain a national Russian passport. When determining how long it takes to obtain Russian citizenship after marriage, keep in mind that you have the right to go through a simplified registration procedure after three years. However, the actual time frame for obtaining a Russian passport may differ slightly. First, most applicants will need, and after a year - a residence permit. Then you need to collect all the necessary documents and after three years submit an application for assignment according to a simplified scheme. Six months after submitting the application, a conclusion is issued and a Russian passport is issued. Thus, how many years it takes to obtain Russian citizenship after marriage depends on the scheme for obtaining citizenship status and is usually at least three / four and a half years.

He himself requires either a migration card, and this is also a time investment. In addition, do not forget that learning the Russian language and passing a language test may also require time, as well as official confirmation in the Russian Federation of a marriage registered abroad. However, having lived in Russia for 3 years in marriage, most foreigners go through these stages without problems.

Is it necessary to obtain a temporary residence permit and temporary residence permit?

The legislation of the Russian Federation determines the circle of persons who have the right to submit documents without issuing a temporary residence permit and residence permit:

Foreigners permanently residing abroad.
Persons who have special services to the Russian Federation or have valuable potential for the country, for example, successful athletes.
Persons who have served in the RF Armed Forces for three years, previously had a Soviet passport and wish to obtain Russian citizenship by marriage without a residence permit.
Disabled pensioners/disabled people who arrived from the former Soviet republics and have .
Veterans of the Great Patriotic War who came from the former republics of the USSR and are registered in the Russian Federation.
.

In other cases, you will need to obtain a temporary residence permit in Russia.

Stages of obtaining Russian citizenship by marriage in 2020

From the standard scheme for obtaining citizenship, items on crossing the Russian border for persons permanently residing abroad, and items on obtaining temporary residence permits and residence permits for preferential categories of applicants may be excluded.

The following are the main stages of the procedure for obtaining citizenship:

Legal crossing of the Russian border. If the registration procedure is carried out in Russia, the foreigner will need to obtain a visa (with the exception of citizens of states with which the Russian Federation has an agreement on a visa-free regime). When deciding how a foreigner can obtain Russian citizenship through marriage - that is, at the place of temporary registration in the Russian Federation or through a consulate in his home country, it should be taken into account that in the second case he will need to regularly visit the Russian representative office, study the Russian language, draw up and translate documents. After crossing the border, the foreigner receives it at the Main Migration Department of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of the Russian Federation at the place of stay.
Registration or official confirmation of marriage with a Russian citizen. Confirmation is necessary if the marriage took place outside the Russian Federation or is carried out at the consulate. Currently, the procedure for obtaining Russian citizenship through the registry office allows the conclusion of an official union both on the territory of the Russian Federation and abroad. To register a marriage with a foreigner in the Russian Federation, you will need the following documents:
migration card;
receipt of payment of state duty;
a document confirming that the foreign person does not have another registered marriage.
Registration of a temporary residence permit, which is necessary to obtain a residence permit. Having decided to marry a citizen of the Russian Federation or marry a Russian woman, a foreign citizen must provide the following to the authorized bodies:
photo of the established sample;
a translation certified by a notary and a photocopy of the passport;
original and copy of the applicant’s migration card;
.
Obtaining a residence permit. To obtain a temporary residence permit on the basis of marriage, you will need to collect the following package of documents:
photographs of the established sample;
passport and a copy of its pages with a stamp on the TRP (temporary residence permit);
(bank account statement, salary certificate);
document on ownership of real estate, if any;
. In the event that the spouse is a citizen of Russia or the spouse is a Russian citizen, documents can be submitted after one year of permanent residence in the territory of the Russian Federation. In this case, a marriage certificate is attached to the documents.
Collecting documents and submitting a petition. It is very important that all documents contain accurate information and are free of corrections.
Obtaining a decision on granting citizenship. It should be borne in mind that there is always the possibility of a negative decision. However, if the wife and child are citizens of the Russian Federation (or the husband has a Russian passport) and there are no reasons for refusal provided by law, most often a positive decision is made.

A package of documents for obtaining Russian citizenship by marriage

All papers sent to government agencies must be in Russian or have a translation certified by a notary. The data they contain must be reliable, and the documents themselves must be valid. The list of documents for obtaining citizenship also includes those required for obtaining a temporary residence permit and residence permit.

The list of papers for filing an application for citizenship includes:

;
receipt of payment of state duty;
Marriage certificate;
RVP/residence permit;
or confirming the impossibility of such a refusal for reasons beyond the control of the applicant;
photo of the established sample;
(what documents are needed for this depends on the type of activity and status of the applicant);
or a document confirming knowledge of the language (certificate of education with a grade in the Russian language).

One of the following documents can confirm the source of income:

certificate of income of an individual;
pensioner's ID;
personal income tax return;
document on benefits received;
statement of account.

In addition, applying for Russian citizenship by marriage requires the provision of a notarized obligation to renounce previous citizenship after receiving Russian citizenship. This is necessary in cases where such a refusal is possible only on the basis of a positive decision on admission to Russian citizenship. The refusal must be issued no later than 1 year after receiving the permit.

Read more about each document in the material about.

Which authorities to contact?

A package of documents for obtaining the status of a citizen of the Russian Federation can be sent to two types of authorities:

Consulate of the Russian Federation in the country of permanent residence of the applicant.
Territorial division of the Main Directorate for Migration of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of the Russian Federation.

However, in connection with the preparation of all the necessary papers, you will have to visit a much larger number of organizations. First of all, obtaining Russian citizenship when marrying a citizen of the Russian Federation requires legalization of the relationship. This can be done abroad; you only need to then certify the marriage at the consulate, or in Russia through the registry office. You can obtain a certificate of income from the tax office, through social services or from your employer. In order to certify copies and translations of documents, you will also need to contact a notary.

Papers can be submitted in person, through an authorized agency or a proxy.

Cost of obtaining Russian citizenship

When planning to obtain citizenship through your husband/wife, you must provide for the following types of expenses:

state duty for obtaining Russian citizenship – 3,500 rubles;
payment for a language test – 6,000 rubles;
payment for a test on basic knowledge of history and legislation of the Russian Federation - 4,800 rubles.

Thus, the final average cost of obtaining citizenship, taking into account the payment of notary services, is about 20,000 rubles.

The article about how and where to pay for paperwork tells you more about.

Approximate dates

You should understand that obtaining the status of a citizen of the Russian Federation, even if you are married to a Russian citizen, is not an easy task. Timely contacting the authorities and promptly completing all necessary papers helps speed up the procedure.

Each stage of the procedure for obtaining citizenship will require from you, in addition to financial, also time costs:

Marriage registration. In the Russian Federation, you can register a marriage one month after submitting documents to the registry office. Refusal of a solemn wedding ceremony reduces the registration period. Within a month, the documents necessary for obtaining an entry visa and temporary residence permit are prepared.
Preparation of documents for residence permit. Currently, the time frame for obtaining Russian citizenship by marriage allows you to apply for a residence permit within a year, so it is worth starting to collect documents immediately after receiving a temporary residence permit.
Submitting an application for Russian citizenship. At this stage, confirmation of official income in Russia will be required. If the applicant has not been able to secure it for himself within 3 years, then it will be impossible to obtain a new status. In this regard, we recommend looking for a job even before getting married.
Review of the application. The decision is made within 6 months.

If everything is completed in accordance with the established requirements, the minimum period for obtaining citizenship can be reduced to 3 years and 7 months, but most often it takes about 4 years.